MemoryStorage: Retaining Information

Sensory Memory

• The initial recording of sensory information in the memory system

• Iconic Memory• A fleeting photographic memory• Lasts only a few tenths of a second

Sensory Memory

• The initial recording of sensory information in the memory system

• Iconic Memory• A fleeting photographic memory• Lasts only a few tenths of a second

• Echoic Memory• Fleeting memory for auditory

sensory images

Short-term Memory

• Serves as the “desktop” of our conscious attention• Filtered information from our

sensory memory• Retrieved information from long-

term memory

• Unless rehearsed, information will quickly disappear

• Capacity is 7 (+/- 2)

Long-Term Memory

• Capacity is limitless How does storage work?

Karl Lashley (1950) rats learn maze lesion cortex test memory

To know how our brain stores information “defies comprehension” (1998)

Long-term Memory

• Synaptic Changes Long-term Potentiation

increase in synapse’s firing potential after brief, rapid stimulation

Stress hormones and memory Strong emotions make for stronger

memories some stress hormones boost

learning and retention

Long-term Memory

Explicit Memory memory of facts and

experiences that one can consciously know and declare

also called declarative memory Implicit Memory

retention independent of conscious recollection

also called procedural memory

Long-term Memory

Types oflong-termmemories

Explicit(declarative)

With consciousrecall

Implicit(nondeclarative)

Without conscious recall

Facts-generalknowledge(“semanticmemory”)

Personally experienced

events(“episodic memory”)

Skills-motorand cognitive

Dispositions-classical and

operant conditioning

effects

Hippocampus

hippocampus--neural center in limbic system that helps process explicit memories for storage