Mind Expanding Techniques

In this page there we will discuss about memory types and their functions. You can find information about memory processes and also some theories.

The ability to recall is a very important function of our minds. Its contribution to our evolution is significant. Other than that, it plays an essential role in the way we learn and adapt to the environment.

We would say that the ability to remember completes the learning process and is interrelated with it. Thus, if any of both was missing then there would be no evolution, no new knowledge, and no civilization.

Memory process is a collection of three sub-processes.

o Encoding

o Storing

o Retrieval

I think it’s obvious what each one does. Encoding is the initial process when the mind perceives and registers the information. Storing is keeping the encoded information in a good shape so to be remembered easily over the time. And lastly the Retrieval process retrieves the stored information so to be ready for use.

Memory Types

There are 3 basic recall types.

o Sensory Memory

o Short-term or Working Memory

o Long-term Memory

Let’s see them closely.

Sensory Memory

The first one refers to the initial process of storing information that is perceived through our senses. That’s why is called sensory. It lasts for a very small period of time and it is being replaced constantly as our senses work continuously.

Sensory memory divides into 5 memory types, one per sense.The following example will make clear how the sensory memory type works.

Let’s say that you browse a magazine fast and you don’t focus in its pages. Then, you may try to remember what you saw. Most probable you are unable to remember clearly a whole page, a title or a picture.

While your eyes scan the magazine’s pages, your mind is registering fast and briefly the incoming information. As you continue doing this, your mind receives new information and keeps replacing the old one. This type of sensory memory is called iconic and lasts about 1 second. Then it’s being replaced.

The sensory type refers to all the human senses and not only to the visual one. So, another kind of sensory memory which is got also a lot of attention is the echoic. This type’s sensory organs are the ears. Echoic type operates just like the iconic but it lasts a little longer, about 4 seconds.

As you look at the magazine, something may get your attention. While you stay in the page more time to read it, the Short-term or Working memory activates.

Short-term or Working

Short-term memory is an expression used by psychologists when they realized this memory type. Their intention was to define the ability of storing information for only a short period of time.

The new term, working memory, is used nowadays. This is an expanded definition of the short-term memory, including also the meaning of manipulation of the temporary stored information.

We can hold information in the working memory by repeating them. For example when you need to remember a phone number, you are constantly repeating it to yourself. It would be very easy to forget it if something distract you. It is a general characteristic of working memory that you forget easily.

Another characteristic of this memory type is that it has a limited capacity. Many studies have proved that by using various tests. The most common test is to have a large list of items while subjects try to remember as many items from this list as possible.

The psychologist George Miller concluded that the capacity of the working memory type is limited to about 7 items at a time. Nevertheless, more recent research tried to separate the processing capability from the recall ability and concluded that the capacity is finally lower.

Another reason that the short-term definition has been replaced by the working one is that this memory type is essential when we thinking or doing mental activities. For example, as you try to solve a simple mathematical problem in your mind, maybe you need to do first some calculations before you reach in the solution. These mind-works are stored temporarily to the working memory.

Lastly, this memory type is closely correlated with intelligence. Some studies resulted that the higher the capacity of this type the more intelligent the individual is.

Long-term Memory

The last memory type is a little more complex than the previous two. Long-term memory is exactly what the title means, to remember things for a very long time or for the entire life-span.

Memories such as what movie you watched yesterday, how you play basketball, academic or encyclopedic knowledge and the time that you got your degree are all set in the long-term memory.

In contrast with the two previous memory types, this type has no capacity limitations. You are able to get new knowledge and skills throughout your life, so you must exploit this fact. It is known that when you train your brain with new knowledge and skills you are slowing the aging process.

There are some theories about how the mind stores information into the long-term type. Initially psychologists supported the view that information is being stored in sequence. This means that it passes from the working to the long-term memory. Another approach is that the different types are independent systems and can function in parallel, as knowledge is stored in both of them at the same time.

Although the first approaches of the long-term was the existence of one single brain system, scientists now believe that the long term type is constituted by three independent systems. So they distinguish the following:

o Episodic

o Semantic

o Procedural

The first system is dependent by time and place. Recollections that are retrieved from episodic structure are past events in your life. These events are characterized by when and where they happened. A nice trip to the Caribbean when you got married is a good example. These are episodes of our life and that’s why this memory system is called episodic.

The semantic system refers to stored information that is encyclopedic knowledge and facts. For example, the fact that the earth is moving around the sun is a truth that is stored in the semantic system. It’s obvious that the semantic system is independent to time and place you absorbed the information.

The previous two systems are both declarative. This means that when you learn or recall something you do it verbally. The third and last system is non declarative.

The procedural system holds all of your skills. As a non declarative type of memory, it is very difficult to learn a new skill by using verbal instructions.

It may require large amounts of effort and time to learn a new skill and store it in the procedural system. You have to experience practically a new skill in order to master it. You can read how to do it as many times you like but you will never learn it unless you start practicing. For example, you cannot dance if you have never danced, even if you know the steps.

In many cases recall of such memories are not even conscious. An example of this is your driving skill. Can you remember the first time you held a wheel? Your head was full of thoughts while you were driving. Nowadays you drive without a single thought about driving. This means that you recall the driving skill from procedural system in an unconscious level.

All the above examples of recollections belong strictly to a single recall system. There are many skills that may be stored in all the three systems. An example of these skills is the mental skills. The way you learn is using not only the procedural system but also some sort of declarative memory. The fact is that, although the three systems are independent, there is an interaction between them.