Week 8 - Memory

    Hello, welcome back to my blog! During week eight we had the visit of a special guest, I believe her name was Professor Marce, she talked to us about short and term memory from the point of view of a psychology expert, we also made a fun activity in which we had to make a timeline of our lives.


 (Resource obtained from: https://www.nbcnews.com/better/health/how-get-better-remembering-things-according-neuroscience-ncna882426)


What is memory?

 

Memory, in the context of cognitive psychology and neuroscience, refers to the mental processes involved in encoding, storing, and retrieving information. It is the ability of the brain to retain and recall past experiences, knowledge, skills, and perceptions. Memory is a crucial aspect of cognition as it enables individuals to learn, adapt, and navigate through the world.

 

Memory can be categorized into several types based on various factors such as duration of retention, nature of information, and mode of processing. The most common classification includes:

 

Sensory Memory: This is the brief storage of sensory information (e.g., visual, auditory, tactile) that lasts only for a fraction of a second to a few seconds. Sensory memory allows individuals to retain information long enough for initial processing.

 

Short-term Memory (STM): Also known as working memory, STM is where information is temporarily stored and manipulated for immediate tasks. It has a limited capacity and duration, typically holding around 5-9 items for about 20-30 seconds without rehearsal.

 

Long-term Memory (LTM): LTM is the relatively permanent storage of information that can be recalled days, months, or even years after encoding. It has a vast capacity and can store various types of information, including facts, skills, experiences, and associations.

 

Memory formation involves several processes, including encoding (processing and storing information), storage (retaining information over time), and retrieval (accessing stored information when needed). These processes can be influenced by various factors such as attention, rehearsal, emotional significance, and consolidation (the process of stabilizing and strengthening memories over time).

 

Overall, memory plays a fundamental role in human cognition, shaping our understanding of the world, influencing decision-making, and facilitating learning and adaptation.

 

Question for classmates:

 

What strategies do you find most effective for improving memory retention and recall, especially when studying for exams or learning new information?

 

Thank you for reading, hope you have an amazing day!


References: 


Terry, W. S. (1999). Learning and Memory: principles, processes, and procedures (5th ed.).


Cambridge Dictionary. (2024). https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/memory


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