Memory

For computer memory, see computer storage.

Memory is one of the activities of the human mind, much studied by cognitive psychology. It is the capacity to retain an impression of past experiences. There are multiple types of classifications for memory based on duration, nature and retrieval of perceived items.

The main stages in the formation and retrieval of memory, from an information processing perspective, are:

Encoding (processing of received information by acquisition)
Storage (building a permanent record of received information as a result of consolidation)
Retrieval (calling back the stored information and use it in a suitable way to execute a given task)

A basic and generally accepted classification (depending on the duration of memory retention and the amount of stored information during these stages) identifies three distinct types of memory: Sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory. The first stage corresponds approximately to the initial moment that an item is perceived. Some of this information in the sensory area proceeds to the sensory store, which is referred to as short-term memory. Sensory memory is characterized by the duration of memory retention from miliseconds to seconds and short-term memory from seconds to minutes. Once the information is stored, it can be retrieved in a period of time, which ranges from days to years and this type of memory is called long-term memory.
It is thought that short-term memory is supported by transient changes in neuronal communication, whereas it is believed that long-term memories are maintained by more stable and permanent changes in neural communication that are dependent on protein synthesis.

When we are given a seven digit number, we can remember it only for a few seconds and then forget (short term memory). On the other hand we remember our telephone numbers, since we have stored it in our brain after long periods of consolidation (long term memory).

The definition of working memory, which is erroneously used as a synonym of short-term memory, is based on not only the duration of memory retention but also the way how it is used in daily life activities. For instance, when we are asked to multiply 45 with 4 in our head, we have to perform a series of simple calculations (addition and multiplications) to give the final answer. The process of keeping in mind all this information for a short period of time is called working memory.

Another good example is a chess player, who is playing with multiple opponents at the same time and trying to remember the positions of pieces in all games and using this information to make a good move, when required. Long-term memory can further be classified as declarative (explicit) and procedural (implicit).

Explicit memory requires conscious recall, in other words the information must be called back consciously when it is required. If this information is context about the acquiring of a memory (the tone of the teacher, the placement on the page etc.), it is called episodic memory. If it is knowledge independent of context (capital of France, presidents of US etc.), then it is called semantic memory.

Implicit memory is not based on the conscious recall of information stored in our brain, but on the habituation or sensitization of learned facts. We perform better in a given task each time we repeat the task, that is we use our implicit memory without necessarily remembering the previous experiences but using the previously learned behaviours unconsciously. For example, classical conditioning is one kind of implicit memory. Another example is memory resulting from motor learning, which depends upon the cerebellum and basal ganglia.

Table of contents

1 Memory disorders
2 The physiology of memory
3 Related topics

Memory disorders

Much of the current knowledge of memory has come from studying memory disorders, which are known collectively as amnesia. There are many sorts of amnesia: by studying their different forms, it has become possible to observe apparent defects in individual sub-systems of the brain's memory systems, and thus hypothesize their function in the normally working brain.

The physiology of memory

Brain areas such as the mammillary bodies and hippocampus are thought to be involved in memory. It has been demonstrated that damage to these structures can result in impaired performance on certain memory tasks.