5.1 Sensory, Working, and Long-Term Memory
3 min read•august 7, 2024
Memory is like a complex filing system in our brains. It starts with sensory input, moves to short-term , and finally settles into . Each step plays a crucial role in how we process and retain information.
Understanding memory types helps us learn better. From quick sensory memories to lasting procedural skills, our brains use different systems to store info. Knowing these can improve how we study and remember important stuff.
Sensory and Short-Term Memory
Sensory Memory and Short-Term Memory
Top images from around the web for Sensory Memory and Short-Term Memory
Orienting Attention to Short-Term Memory Representations via Sensory Modality and Semantic ... View original
Is this image relevant?
How Memory Functions | Introduction to Psychology View original
Is this image relevant?
5.4 Educational Psychology | Foundations of Education View original
Is this image relevant?
Orienting Attention to Short-Term Memory Representations via Sensory Modality and Semantic ... View original
Is this image relevant?
How Memory Functions | Introduction to Psychology View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
Top images from around the web for Sensory Memory and Short-Term Memory
Orienting Attention to Short-Term Memory Representations via Sensory Modality and Semantic ... View original
Is this image relevant?
How Memory Functions | Introduction to Psychology View original
Is this image relevant?
5.4 Educational Psychology | Foundations of Education View original
Is this image relevant?
Orienting Attention to Short-Term Memory Representations via Sensory Modality and Semantic ... View original
Is this image relevant?
How Memory Functions | Introduction to Psychology View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
- briefly holds sensory information from the environment after the original stimulus has ceased
- Consists of iconic memory (visual stimuli) and echoic memory (auditory stimuli)
- (STM) is the capacity for holding a small amount of information in an active, readily available state for a brief period
- STM has a limited capacity (7 ± 2 items) and a short duration (15-30 seconds) without
Working Memory and Capacity Limitations
- is a multi-component system that manipulates information from STM and links it to long-term memory (LTM)
- Consists of a central executive, phonological loop, and visuospatial sketchpad
- Central executive controls attention and coordinates the phonological loop and visuospatial sketchpad
- Phonological loop holds and manipulates speech-based information (verbal working memory)
- Visuospatial sketchpad holds and manipulates visual and spatial information
- Working memory has a limited capacity that varies by individual and task complexity (reading comprehension, mental arithmetic)
Decay and Forgetting in Short-Term Memory
- Information in STM is quickly forgotten unless it is rehearsed or transferred to LTM
- suggests that memory traces in STM fade and disappear over time
- proposes that other information in STM can interfere with the target information, causing forgetting
- occurs when information is available in memory but cannot be accessed due to lack of cues or interference
Long-Term Memory Types
Episodic and Semantic Memory
- is the collection of past personal experiences that occurred at a particular time and place
- Includes memories of specific events, such as a birthday party or graduation ceremony
- is a structured record of facts, concepts, and skills that we have acquired
- Includes general knowledge about the world, such as the capital of France or the function of a hammer
- Semantic memory is independent of personal experience and is shared by members of a culture
Procedural Memory
- is the unconscious memory of skills and how to do things, particularly the use of objects or movements of the body
- Includes memories for motor skills, such as riding a bicycle or tying shoelaces
- Procedural memories are typically acquired through repetition and practice
- Often difficult to verbally describe procedural memories, as they are largely unconscious and automatic (muscle memory)
Memory Models and Processes
Atkinson-Shiffrin Model and Long-Term Memory
- The proposes that memory consists of three separate stages: sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory
- Information passes from sensory memory to STM through attention, and from STM to LTM through rehearsal
- Long-term memory (LTM) is the relatively permanent storage of information
- LTM has a virtually unlimited capacity and can last a lifetime
- Information in LTM is organized into schemas, which are mental frameworks that help organize and interpret information
Chunking and Memory Improvement
- is the process of grouping individual pieces of information into larger units or chunks
- Chunking can increase the amount of information held in STM by combining smaller pieces of information into meaningful units (remembering a phone number as three chunks rather than ten individual digits)
- Mnemonic devices, such as acronyms (NASA) or acrostics (Every Good Boy Does Fine), can aid in chunking and memory
- , which involves linking new information to existing knowledge in LTM, can improve long-term retention compared to simple repetition or maintenance rehearsal
Key Terms to Review (22)
Alan Baddeley: Alan Baddeley is a renowned British psychologist known for his influential work on the models of memory, particularly in relation to working memory. His most notable contribution is the multi-component model of working memory, which outlines the processes and systems involved in temporary storage and manipulation of information. This model expands our understanding of how sensory information is processed and how it interacts with long-term memory, emphasizing the dynamic nature of cognitive functioning.
Atkinson-Shiffrin Model: The Atkinson-Shiffrin Model is a theory of memory that proposes three distinct stages of memory processing: sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory. This model emphasizes how information flows through these stages and how each stage plays a crucial role in encoding, storing, and retrieving information. It highlights the importance of attention and rehearsal in transferring information from sensory to short-term memory and then to long-term memory.
Capacity of Working Memory: The capacity of working memory refers to the limited amount of information that can be actively held and manipulated in mind at one time. This cognitive system is essential for tasks such as problem-solving, reasoning, and comprehension, as it enables individuals to temporarily store and process information in a dynamic way. It is crucial for bridging sensory memory and long-term memory, allowing for effective learning and application of knowledge.
Chunking: Chunking is a cognitive strategy that involves breaking down information into smaller, more manageable units or 'chunks' to improve memory retention and processing. This technique helps individuals encode, store, and retrieve information more effectively by organizing data into familiar patterns or groupings, making it easier for the brain to process and recall later.
Decay Theory: Decay theory posits that memories fade and deteriorate over time if they are not accessed or rehearsed. This concept suggests that forgetting occurs naturally as time passes, and without the reinforcement of retrieval or rehearsal, information in sensory, working, and long-term memory can gradually diminish.
Duration of sensory memory: The duration of sensory memory refers to the brief period that sensory information is retained in its original form after being perceived, typically lasting only a fraction of a second to a few seconds. This fleeting nature allows the brain to hold onto incoming sensory data long enough for initial processing and potential transfer to short-term memory. Sensory memory serves as the gateway for all experiences, capturing raw stimuli from the environment before they either fade away or get encoded into more durable forms of memory.
Elaborative rehearsal: Elaborative rehearsal is a memory technique that involves actively thinking about the meaning of information and relating it to existing knowledge in order to enhance its retention in long-term memory. This process goes beyond simple repetition and encourages deeper processing by making connections, which leads to better understanding and recall of information.
Encoding: Encoding is the process of transforming information into a format that can be stored in memory, allowing it to be later retrieved when needed. This process involves converting sensory input into a construct that can be held in working memory and eventually transferred to long-term memory. Effective encoding is crucial for learning and retaining information, as it dictates how well we can store and recall memories over time.
Episodic Memory: Episodic memory is a type of long-term memory that allows individuals to recall specific events, situations, and experiences from their personal past. This memory system is distinct from semantic memory, which involves the storage of general knowledge and facts. Episodic memory is crucial for forming personal narratives, as it enables people to remember when and where events occurred, along with the emotions associated with those memories.
George A. Miller: George A. Miller was a prominent psychologist known for his work in cognitive psychology and is widely recognized for his research on memory. He is most famous for formulating Miller's Law, which posits that the average number of objects an individual can hold in working memory is about seven, plus or minus two. His contributions have greatly influenced the understanding of sensory, working, and long-term memory processes.
Interference Theory: Interference theory suggests that memories can disrupt one another, leading to difficulties in recalling information. This disruption occurs when new or old memories interfere with the retrieval process, affecting how information is stored and recalled in sensory, working, and long-term memory systems. Understanding this theory helps to explain why forgetting can happen even if information has been encoded effectively.
Long-term memory: Long-term memory is the system that allows us to store, retain, and retrieve information over extended periods, ranging from days to a lifetime. This type of memory is crucial for learning and knowledge retention as it organizes information into meaningful structures, allowing for better recall. Long-term memory can be divided into explicit (declarative) and implicit (non-declarative) memory, both of which play a significant role in how we process and use information throughout our lives.
Mnemonics: Mnemonics are memory aids or techniques that help individuals recall information more easily by organizing and encoding it in a memorable way. These strategies can enhance the process of transferring information from working memory to long-term memory by creating strong associations and visual imagery, ultimately improving retrieval processes.
Procedural Memory: Procedural memory is a type of long-term memory that enables individuals to perform tasks and skills without conscious awareness of the underlying processes. It plays a crucial role in learning motor skills, like riding a bike or playing an instrument, and is often acquired through practice and repetition. This form of memory operates automatically, allowing people to execute learned tasks efficiently and often without the need for verbal instructions.
Rehearsal: Rehearsal is a cognitive process that involves repeatedly practicing or reviewing information to enhance memory retention. This technique is crucial for transferring information from short-term to long-term memory, which is vital for effective learning. The method can take various forms, such as maintenance rehearsal, which focuses on rote memorization, and elaborative rehearsal, which involves connecting new information with existing knowledge to deepen understanding.
Retrieval: Retrieval is the process of accessing and bringing to mind information stored in memory. This process is essential for utilizing knowledge in practical situations and plays a significant role in learning and recall. Understanding how retrieval works helps to connect it to the different types of memory, including sensory, working, and long-term memory, as well as the methods of encoding and storage.
Retrieval Failure: Retrieval failure refers to the inability to access information stored in memory, even though that information is still retained. This phenomenon can occur due to various factors, including insufficient cues or interference from other memories. Understanding retrieval failure is essential as it relates to how sensory, working, and long-term memory function in encoding and recalling information.
Semantic Memory: Semantic memory is a type of long-term memory that involves the storage and recall of factual information, concepts, and knowledge about the world, independent of personal experiences. It allows individuals to remember general facts such as vocabulary, historical events, or scientific principles without needing to link them to specific events in their lives. This form of memory is crucial for understanding language and acquiring knowledge, and it operates alongside other memory systems like episodic memory and procedural memory.
Sensory Memory: Sensory memory is the initial stage of memory that briefly holds sensory information from the environment, such as sights, sounds, and smells, for a fraction of a second to a few seconds. This type of memory allows individuals to retain impressions of sensory stimuli after the original input has ceased, serving as a crucial foundation for further processing in working memory. It acts as a buffer for stimuli received through the senses, enabling the transition of information into short-term or long-term memory based on attention and encoding.
Short-term memory: Short-term memory is a cognitive system that temporarily holds and manages information for brief periods, typically around 15 to 30 seconds. It serves as a workspace for processing information before it either decays or is encoded into long-term memory, making it crucial for tasks like problem-solving and comprehension.
Storage: Storage refers to the process of maintaining information in the brain over time, allowing it to be retrieved and used when needed. This involves the transformation of sensory information into a format that can be held for short or long periods, influencing how we recall and utilize that information later. Storage is a crucial part of memory systems, as it connects sensory input and the eventual retrieval of that data, which impacts our understanding of cognition and learning.
Working Memory: Working memory is a cognitive system that temporarily holds and manipulates information needed for complex tasks such as learning, reasoning, and comprehension. It allows individuals to process and store information in real-time, playing a critical role in problem-solving and decision-making. Working memory is often seen as a bridge between sensory input and long-term memory storage, as it actively engages with the information before it is either discarded or encoded for future retrieval.