~ Memory ~
Memory is the brain's ability to encode, store, and retrieve information, a process that is crucial for learning, decision-making, problem-solving, and our sense of identity. There are four types of memory; sensory memory, working memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory, and they are stored in different areas of the brain. It is important to note that each of these different brain regions work in tandem.
The Hippocampus stores the type of memory involved in the formation of new memories, what we refer to as episodic and declarative memory. Memory stored in the hippocampus helps to consolidate and transfer short-term memory into long-term located deep within the temporal lobes.
The Amygdala, also located with in temporal lobes, is responsible for a specific type of memories that are emotion-laden or are of an emotional nature.
The Prefrontal Cortex (PFC) is involved with working memory, decision-making, and the integration of information from various different sources. The PFC is located within the frontal lobe.
The Temporal Lobes are involved in the processing and retrieval of auditory and visual memories.
The Cerebellum is involved with procedural memory, which is memory related to the learning and recalling of motor skills and motor coordination.
The Neocortex stores long-term memories related to semantic and factual information.
Sensory Memory (SM) is the initial stage, or the start of the memory process. It begins with our taking in information from out environment where that information is briefly held. In the 'olden' pre-digital days of rotary phones and telephone books, we had to look up a new number and dial it. If we needed to call that same number the next day, it is doubtful we would remember it. Unless we rehearsed and memorized that number, it is quickly forgotten. SM fades quickly if not immediately and is therefore non-retrievable. Computers were designed in the same way; unless you 'save' the information you were working on, it disappears as if it were never there to begin with.
Working Memory (WM) is actually an aspect of sensory memory. WM also holds information for a short period without being consolidated. The difference between these two types of memory is that WM is specifically involved in the manipulating and processing of cognitive information and is often referred to as our mental workspace. If were were working on a project involving multiple steps, we would need to keep all prior steps in mind in order to continue to the last step. This is WM. But similar in nature to sensory memory, without rehearsing or 'saving' the info, we would soon forget what we were working on.
Short-Term Memory (STM) is the integral step in between sensory and working memory, and long-term memory. STM is information that is retained anywhere from several seconds to several minutes, a brief time yet longer than sensory memory. STM has limited capacity for retaining any information, considered to be roughly between 2 to 7 bits or chunks of information at any one time. Since STM is not considered learned information and often referred to as 'rote' memory, it is highly susceptible to what we refer to as interference. Interference can either be from prior information or from new information, where STM can then be either corrupted to the point of misremembering or forgetting. While not entirely accurate, STM is often used interchangeable with working memory.
Long-Term Memory (LTM) is often synonymous with information that has been learned permanently. LTM is located in the deep recesses of the brain and is not susceptible to forgetting unless there has been a physical head trauma or a disorder such as dementia or other myelinating disease process that afflicts the parts of the brain where memory is stored. That said, while memories stored in LTM are otherwise not 'forgotten', it does not mean that we can easily recall the information. To use the computer analogy, we can file and store information in a particular folder where it will stay on our computer forever unless the computers storage component is damaged in some permanent way, but that does not mean that we can remember where in our computer we put that folder. As such, LTM is hardy and not easily damaged or forgotten.
There are three types of LTM, Declarative or Explicit memory, Procedural or Implicit memory, and Associative memory.
Declarative or Explicit memory involves conscious recall and explicit knowledge of facts, events, and concepts, and is further divided into Semantic memory which includes general knowledge and factual knowledge, and Episodic memory which refers to memory of personal experiences and events.
Procedural or Implicit memory refers to the unconscious memory of skills, habits, and motoric actions, involving the ability to perform tasks without being consciously aware of effort in performing them. Driving home from school or the office, or a place you drive to and from regularly, and winding up home safe and sound without recalling the actual drive is an example of procedural memory.
Associative Memory is the result of forming connections and associations between different pieces of information, which then facilitates the retrieval of that information based upon the associations or connections made.
LTM is essential for us to understand and make sense of our environment and the world in general, without which, it becomes difficult if not impossible to function in our day-to-day lives. Alzheimer's demential is a good but unfortunate example of the permanent loss of LTM. Simple aging with no dementia may interfere with aspects of STM memory, but will not disrupt LTM.
The Hippocampus stores the type of memory involved in the formation of new memories, what we refer to as episodic and declarative memory. Memory stored in the hippocampus helps to consolidate and transfer short-term memory into long-term located deep within the temporal lobes.
The Amygdala, also located with in temporal lobes, is responsible for a specific type of memories that are emotion-laden or are of an emotional nature.
The Prefrontal Cortex (PFC) is involved with working memory, decision-making, and the integration of information from various different sources. The PFC is located within the frontal lobe.
The Temporal Lobes are involved in the processing and retrieval of auditory and visual memories.
The Cerebellum is involved with procedural memory, which is memory related to the learning and recalling of motor skills and motor coordination.
The Neocortex stores long-term memories related to semantic and factual information.
Sensory Memory (SM) is the initial stage, or the start of the memory process. It begins with our taking in information from out environment where that information is briefly held. In the 'olden' pre-digital days of rotary phones and telephone books, we had to look up a new number and dial it. If we needed to call that same number the next day, it is doubtful we would remember it. Unless we rehearsed and memorized that number, it is quickly forgotten. SM fades quickly if not immediately and is therefore non-retrievable. Computers were designed in the same way; unless you 'save' the information you were working on, it disappears as if it were never there to begin with.
Working Memory (WM) is actually an aspect of sensory memory. WM also holds information for a short period without being consolidated. The difference between these two types of memory is that WM is specifically involved in the manipulating and processing of cognitive information and is often referred to as our mental workspace. If were were working on a project involving multiple steps, we would need to keep all prior steps in mind in order to continue to the last step. This is WM. But similar in nature to sensory memory, without rehearsing or 'saving' the info, we would soon forget what we were working on.
Short-Term Memory (STM) is the integral step in between sensory and working memory, and long-term memory. STM is information that is retained anywhere from several seconds to several minutes, a brief time yet longer than sensory memory. STM has limited capacity for retaining any information, considered to be roughly between 2 to 7 bits or chunks of information at any one time. Since STM is not considered learned information and often referred to as 'rote' memory, it is highly susceptible to what we refer to as interference. Interference can either be from prior information or from new information, where STM can then be either corrupted to the point of misremembering or forgetting. While not entirely accurate, STM is often used interchangeable with working memory.
Long-Term Memory (LTM) is often synonymous with information that has been learned permanently. LTM is located in the deep recesses of the brain and is not susceptible to forgetting unless there has been a physical head trauma or a disorder such as dementia or other myelinating disease process that afflicts the parts of the brain where memory is stored. That said, while memories stored in LTM are otherwise not 'forgotten', it does not mean that we can easily recall the information. To use the computer analogy, we can file and store information in a particular folder where it will stay on our computer forever unless the computers storage component is damaged in some permanent way, but that does not mean that we can remember where in our computer we put that folder. As such, LTM is hardy and not easily damaged or forgotten.
There are three types of LTM, Declarative or Explicit memory, Procedural or Implicit memory, and Associative memory.
Declarative or Explicit memory involves conscious recall and explicit knowledge of facts, events, and concepts, and is further divided into Semantic memory which includes general knowledge and factual knowledge, and Episodic memory which refers to memory of personal experiences and events.
Procedural or Implicit memory refers to the unconscious memory of skills, habits, and motoric actions, involving the ability to perform tasks without being consciously aware of effort in performing them. Driving home from school or the office, or a place you drive to and from regularly, and winding up home safe and sound without recalling the actual drive is an example of procedural memory.
Associative Memory is the result of forming connections and associations between different pieces of information, which then facilitates the retrieval of that information based upon the associations or connections made.
LTM is essential for us to understand and make sense of our environment and the world in general, without which, it becomes difficult if not impossible to function in our day-to-day lives. Alzheimer's demential is a good but unfortunate example of the permanent loss of LTM. Simple aging with no dementia may interfere with aspects of STM memory, but will not disrupt LTM.