Psychology: Types of Memory

Types of Memory

Sensory Memory

• Brief storage of sensory information in the brain
• Lasts for a few seconds to a minute
• Examples:
  • Iconic memory (visual): brief storage of visual information
  • Echoic memory (auditory): brief storage of auditory information
  • Haptic memory (tactile): brief storage of touch and sensation information

Short-Term Memory (STM)

• Limited capacity (7 ± 2 chunks of information)
• Information is held for a short period ( seconds to a minute)
• Information is easily forgotten unless rehearsed or consolidated into long-term memory
• Examples:
  • Phone numbers or lists of items

Long-Term Memory (LTM)

• Permanent storage of information
• Large capacity (unlimited)
• Information can be retrieved through recall or recognition
• Examples:
  • Childhood memories
  • Skills and habits (e.g., riding a bike)

Working Memory

• Temporary holding and manipulation of information
• Involved in cognitive tasks such as problem-solving, mental arithmetic, and following instructions
• Can be thought of as the "mental workspace"
• Examples:
  • Doing mental math
  • Following a recipe

Episodic Memory

• Memory for specific events or experiences
• Includes context, emotions, and sensations
• Examples:
  • Remembering a birthday party
  • Recalling a first day of school

Semantic Memory

• Memory for general knowledge and facts
• Not tied to specific events or experiences
• Examples:
  • Remembering the capital of a country
  • Knowing the definition of a word

Implicit Memory

• Unconscious memory for skills, habits, and conditioned responses
• Not easily verbalized or recalled
• Examples:
  • Riding a bike without thinking about it
  • Feeling anxious in a certain situation due to past experiences

Types of Memory

Sensory Memory

• Held in the brain for a few seconds to a minute
• Brief storage of sensory information from senses: visual, auditory, tactile, etc.
• Iconic memory: brief visual storage
• Echoic memory: brief auditory storage
• Haptic memory: brief tactile storage

Short-Term Memory (STM)

• Limited capacity: 7 ± 2 chunks of information
• Information held for seconds to a minute
• Information forgotten unless rehearsed or consolidated into long-term memory
• Examples: phone numbers, lists of items

Long-Term Memory (LTM)

• Permanent storage of information
• Unlimited capacity
• Information retrieved through recall or recognition
• Examples: childhood memories, skills, habits (e.g., riding a bike)

Working Memory

• Temporary holding and manipulation of information
• Involved in problem-solving, mental arithmetic, following instructions
• The "mental workspace"
• Examples: doing mental math, following a recipe

Episodic Memory

• Memory for specific events or experiences
• Includes context, emotions, sensations
• Examples: remembering a birthday party, first day of school

Semantic Memory

• Memory for general knowledge and facts
• Not tied to specific events or experiences
• Examples: remembering a country's capital, word definitions

Implicit Memory

• Unconscious memory for skills, habits, conditioned responses
• Not easily verbalized or recalled
• Examples: riding a bike without thinking, feeling anxious due to past experiences

Computer Memory

Overview

• Computer memory stores data temporarily while a computer is running
• It enables the CPU to access and process data efficiently

Types of Computer Memory

Main Memory (RAM)

• Volatile memory, losing its contents when power is turned off
• Temporary storage for data and program instructions currently in use
• Faster access time compared to secondary storage devices

Secondary Storage (HDD/SSD)

• Non-volatile memory, retaining data even when power is off
• Slower access time compared to main memory
• Large storage capacity for long-term data retention

Memory Classification

Based on Accessibility

Volatile Memory

• Loses its contents when power is turned off
• Examples: RAM, Cache

Non-Volatile Memory

• Retains its contents even when power is off
• Examples: ROM, Flash Memory, HDD, SSD

Based on Functionality

Cache Memory

• Small, fast memory storing frequently accessed data
• Acts as a buffer between main memory and CPU

Buffer Memory

• Temporary storage for data being transmitted between devices
• Helps to synchronize data transfer rates

Stack Memory

• Region of memory used to store data and program instructions temporarily
• Managed by the CPU during program execution