Memory Systems
Three Major Memory Stores
1. Sensory Memory
◦ Very brief storage (milliseconds to seconds) of sensory information.
◦ Iconic (visual) and echoic (auditory) varieties.
2. Short-Term/Working Memory
◦ Holds information temporarily (about 20–30 seconds without rehearsal).
◦ Capacity of approximately 7 ± 2 items.
◦ Working memory emphasizes active manipulation (e.g., mental arithmetic).
3. Long-Term Memory
◦ Relatively permanent storage with theoretically unlimited capacity.
Types of Long-Term Memory
• Explicit (Declarative)
◦ Semantic: Facts and general knowledge (e.g., “Paris is the capital of France”).
◦ Episodic: Personal events and experiences (e.g., rst day of college).
• Implicit (Nondeclarative)
◦ Procedural: Skills and habits (e.g., riding a bicycle).
◦ Priming, Classical Conditioning: Automatic in uences on behavior.
Memory Processes
• Encoding: Converting information into a form that can be stored.
• Storage: Maintaining information over time.
• Retrieval: Accessing stored information when needed.
Why People Forget
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• Decay: Fading of memory traces over time.
• Interference: Competition from other memories (proactive or retroactive).
• Retrieval Failure: Dif culty accessing information despite being stored.
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