Introduction to Memory

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Last updated: 8/16/2025

Types of Memory

  • Implicit/Procedural memory: cerebellum; well-learned, automatic skills, e.g. ride bikes, tie shoes
  • Explicit/Declarative memory: hippocampus; semantic vs. episodic (flashbulb) memory
  • Prospective memory: remembering to do something or a plan for a future time

Long-term potentiation: this is the neurological process of long-term learning

The Working Memory Model: limited-capacity stores (the central executive, visuospatial sketchpad, phonological loop, and episodic buffer) work together to process info from short-term memory into long-term memory

The Multi-store Model

  • Sensory memory: echoic sensory memory is auditory, iconic sensory memory is visual
  • Short-term memory: transfer sensory to short-term through attention; "7+/-2" limit in capacity
  • Long-term memory: transfer/encode short-term to long-term through rehearsal

Stages

  • Encoding: writing info into memory (Encoding Failure, e.g. didn't attend to info)
  • Storage: holding onto memory (Memory Decay, e.g. forget about info)
  • Retrieval: recognition or recall of memory (Recognition/Recall Failure, e.g. tip-of-tongue)

Automatic vs Effortful Processing: automatic can be multitasked; effortful requires attention

Deep vs Shallow Levels of Processing: from shallowest to deepest - structural/physical/sensory, phonemic/pronouncing, semantic/elaborative

Selective vs. Divided Attention: you can have divided attention on automatically processed tasks; selective attention is a common reason for encoding failure

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