Psychology: Types of Memory

Memory

Types of Memory:

• Sensory Memory: brief storage of sensory information in sensory registers (e.g., iconic memory for visual, echoic memory for auditory)
• Short-Term Memory (STM): limited capacity, information held for seconds to minutes
• Long-Term Memory (LTM): permanent storage, unlimited capacity, information retained for extended periods

Memory Processes:

• Encoding: process of taking in information and storing it in memory
• Consolidation: process of transferring information from STM to LTM
• Retrieval: process of accessing stored information from memory

Forgetting:

• Decay Theory: memories fade over time due to lack of use
• Interference Theory: new information interferes with existing memories
• Repression: unconscious forgetting of traumatic or painful memories

Perception

Definition:

• Perception: the process of interpreting and understanding sensory information from the environment

Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Processing:

• Bottom-Up Processing: analysis of basic sensory features (e.g., line, color) to form a complete perception
• Top-Down Processing: use of higher-level knowledge and expectations to influence perception

Factors Influencing Perception:

• Attention: selective focus on certain stimuli or tasks
• Context: surrounding environment and prior experiences affect perception
• Expectations: prior knowledge and biases influence perception
• Motivation: goals and desires influence perception
• Emotions: emotional state affects perception

Theories of Perception:

• Direct Perception Theory: perception is a direct result of sensory information
• Constructivist Theory: perception is an active construction of reality based on past experiences and expectations

Memory

Types of Memory

• Sensory Memory: brief storage of sensory information in sensory registers, e.g., iconic memory for visual, echoic memory for auditory
• Short-Term Memory (STM): limited capacity, information held for seconds to minutes
• Long-Term Memory (LTM): permanent storage, unlimited capacity, information retained for extended periods

Memory Processes

• Encoding: taking in information and storing it in memory
• Consolidation: transferring information from STM to LTM
• Retrieval: accessing stored information from memory

Forgetting

• Decay Theory: memories fade over time due to lack of use
• Interference Theory: new information interferes with existing memories
• Repression: unconscious forgetting of traumatic or painful memories

Perception

Definition

• Perception: the process of interpreting and understanding sensory information from the environment

Processing

• Bottom-Up Processing: analysis of basic sensory features (e.g., line, color) to form a complete perception
• Top-Down Processing: use of higher-level knowledge and expectations to influence perception

Influencing Factors

• Attention: selective focus on certain stimuli or tasks
• Context: surrounding environment and prior experiences affect perception
• Expectations: prior knowledge and biases influence perception
• Motivation: goals and desires influence perception
• Emotions: emotional state affects perception

Theories

• Direct Perception Theory: perception is a direct result of sensory information
• Constructivist Theory: perception is an active construction of reality based on past experiences and expectations

Understand the different types of memory, including sensory, short-term, and long-term memory, as well as memory processes like encoding and consolidation.