Types Of Human Memory

Memory is understood as the maintenance of specific learning, sustained over time from its storage and retrieval when necessary. In order for the memory to execute this process, different steps must be established. The phases of memory are encoding, storage and retrieval. The following explains the memory phases :

1. Coding : in the encoding phase, the person receives a set of external inputs, which are processed and transformed into verbal, visual and/or sensory codes to which we attribute meaning.
2. Storage : once the information received has obtained meaning, in this phase it is stored, retained in the brain. Its retention may be different depending on the type of memory used, for example if it is short-term it will be recalled sooner than if it is long-term, the message will be stored for a longer time.
3. Recovery : This phase of memory consists of extracting the information that has previously been given meaning and stored, that is, we recover the information that is stored in our memories.

The types of memory are grouped dichotomously based on their characteristics. Memory types depend on the variable used to do the classification. The most frequent classifications They are the grouping of memory based on temporality, the encoding format and memory based on the type of information stored:

• Depending on its temporality : refers to short-term memory (STM) and long-term memory (LTM). These are differentiated into the storage and retrieval phases, where short-term memory is stored and retrieved for a short period of time, while long-term memory is sustained over time.
• Depending on the encoding format of the information , between sensory memory and verbal memory. In sensory memory, the information received is encoded and understood through the senses, referring to visual, olfactory, auditory and visuospatial memory. At the other pole, we find verbal memory, which encodes information in the form of words, whether oral or written.
• Depending on the type of information Finally, another grouping of memory types is based on the type of learning information, giving rise to episodic, semantic and procedural memory.

Next, we will explain the types of human memory based on the first classification. That is, short-term memory, where we find working memory among others; and, long-term memory, which contains other typologies such as episodic memory, semantic memory and procedural memory. However, first we will explain sensory memory, latent in any process.

In sensory memory we receive external stimuli perceived from our senses. However, the information encoded from these external inputs maintains a short storage duration.

It is then deleted, forgotten or transmitted to other types of memory that allow its storage to last longer over time. Thus, its operation is temporary, to be stored in the short-term or long-term memory system subsequently.

Sensory memory is that which allows us to follow the thread of a movie, read a book or have a conversation , a set of automatic actions related to this type of memory. Sensory memory has been divided into iconic, haptic and echoic memory:

• iconic memory : this type of sensory memory records the information that comes from the sense of view retaining the images that are associated with a specific object for a short period of time.
• Haptic memory : just as iconic memory refers to visual inputs, haptic memory processes stimuli that come from the sense of touch , recording inputs that refer to pain, itching or heat, among others. It is known that its retention is longer than that of iconic memory.
• echoic memory : this type of memory is very powerful and refers to the information perceived by the ear Its storage is short-lived, as in iconic memory, and is very important because it allows us to understand language and be able to maintain a conversation.

If you want to know more about this type of memory, consult our post Sensory memory: what it is, types and examples.

Short-term memory is conceived as a type of memory with limited capacity in its retention of stored information, that is, the inputs we have received are retained for a short period of time , which is no longer than 30-40 seconds. Below we list the main characteristics of short-term memory:

• Short-term memory has the capacity of remember 6-7 items and, as we have already mentioned, these will be retained in a short period of time.
• However, if the information is repeated or manipulated, it can be stored in another type of memory, such as long-term memory.
• This is the most memory susceptible to deterioration but there are also strategies to improve short-term memory.
• short term memory allows retention, reasoning, reflection and, therefore, learning. Therefore, short-term memory makes working memory possible.

working memory

Working memory is also known as working memory This type of memory refers to the mechanism that allows us to store and manipulate the stored information, as well as associate the stored information with other ideas that come in with new inputs.

So it operates in the most complex cognitive actions, such as language comprehension and reading, learning or reasoning, planning or logical-mathematical skills. The information stored in working memory is located below the short term memory

However, even if its storage is short-term, it is in permanent update If you want to stimulate this cognitive ability, you can play games to improve memory.

Learn more about this type of short-term memory with our article Working memory: what it is and how to improve it.

As we have previously commented, the dichotomy of short-term and long-term memory differ in their temporality, with long-term memory understood as the type of memory that the ability to encode and retain information for a longer period of time, and can be retained from seconds to years.

The episodic, semantic and/or procedural memories previously exposed are maintained in long-term memory, allowing us to be able to remember own facts, culture or skills which would be some examples of long-term memory.

• Episodic memory : refers to the memory of specific events, such as remembering what we did yesterday or what we ate last night. The content of the stored information is personal and/or biographical, which is why it is also known as biographical memory.
• Semantic memory : its content is the stored knowledge about facts and concepts, of a cultural nature or about knowledge of the world, as well as the understanding of the meaning of words and vocabulary. For example, a semantic memory would be remembering what year the Second World War ended.
• Procedural memory : corresponds to the storage of our abilities and skills, for example we do not forget to ride a bicycle once we have already learned or to tie our shoes.

In case you liked this post about the types of human memory, we recommend you read our title Difference between episodic and semantic memory. If, on the other hand, you want to know how your memory is doing, you can take this Memory Test.

This article is merely informative, at PsychologyFor we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

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