What is Memory? Types-Causes of memory loss and how to improve it according to Psychology

Memory- Types and Memory loss

Memory- Types and Memory loss

Memory is the information that you get from learning and experiences. The memory of Human beings is stored much like a computer system. Encoding, Storage, and retrieval are the three basic components of memory. In this article, we will explore the types of memory, Stages of memory formation, memory loss, and retrieval problems, and At the end, we will discuss the tip to improve our memory.

Definition:

Memory is the process that is used to acquire, store, retain and retrieve information. The information that we have learned or experienced can be preserved and recover by the human mind. Memory is one of the major topics of interest in Cognitive psychology.
Memory is overall acquiring and getting new knowledge from the environment. This acquires knowledge is stored in a specific part of the brain and retrieve whenever you require or need it in the future.
But sometimes due to many reasons, memory did not store properly and we forget things. e.g. forgetting where you have left your book and pen. These memory problems affect the quality of life and the ability to function.

How memory is formed:

There are three main components of memory. Let have a look at them one by one.

Encoding
Storage
Retrieval

Encoding:

Encoding is the process of getting new information from the environment.

Storage:

The next stage in memory formation is storage. The information we get from the environment is must store in memory for later use.

Retrieval:

Retrieval is the process that is used to bring stored information into our conscious awareness.
The information that is difficult to retrieve is called lethologica or tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon.

Types of Memory:

There are two main types of memory
1. Short term memory
2. Long term memory

Short term memory

Short-term memory is very brief lasted just a second long. These memories consist of information we are currently focusing on or thinking about. If we repeat these memories they are stored in long-term memory.

Long term memory

These memories are last for months, years, and decades. These memories are mostly outside of our conscious awareness. But we can draw them into consciousness when needed.

Organizing Memory:

The ability to access and retrieve information from long-term memory is called organizing memory. The memory organization is also known as the semantic networking model.
The information from long term memory is used in making Decision, interaction with other and problem-solving.
Certain event triggers activate associated memories. E.g specific type of perfumes smell might activate memory related to your first date with your girlfriend.

Stages of memory formation:

Richard Atkinson and Richard Shiffrin in 1968 defined a model of memory formation. According to him, there are 3 stages of memory formation.

Sensory Memory
Short term Memory
Long term Memory

Sensory Memory:

The information that is taken from the five senses is called sensory memory. The sensory information that we have taken from the environment stored for a very short period of time.
Visual information is stored for half second and auditory information is stored for 3-4 seconds. We attend only certain information of sensory information.

Short term Memory(Active memory)

The sensory information stored for a brief period of time is called short-term memory. In Freudian psychology, the conscious mind paying attention to sensory memories generates information in short-term memory. Memory stored in STM for 20-30 seconds.

Long term memory(Working Memory)

The process in which short-term memory is converted into long-term memory is called consolidation. This information is out of our conscious awareness. Some memory is early to recall while other is difficult.