Types of memory. Main function of memory

As you know, every experience, movement or impression of a person somehow forms a trace that can last a very long period of time. In addition, under certain conditions, it can manifest itself again, and hence become an object of consciousness. What is memory? Types, functions and basic properties of it are somehow interrelated? How exactly? These and other equally interesting questions can be found in the process of getting acquainted with the materials of the article. It will be advisable to first consider the concept directly.

Memory, memory functions

In simple terms, memory can be defined as a record (capture), preservation, as well as subsequent recognition and, if necessary, reproduction of traces of experience in the past. Such an interesting scheme allows you to accumulate information without losing the old information, skills, knowledge.

From a scientific point of view, memory is a function of processing stimulus information. This is a complex process of mental nature, which contains several processes of a private orientation, interrelated. So, any fixation in relation to skills and knowledge must be attributed to the activity of memory. What are the problems that reflect the category, features and functions of historical memory and national identity, exist today? It is important to note that in the modern world, a number of difficult questions arise before psychology. How do you memorize events in memory? What are the physiological mechanisms of this process? Which of the methods known today is more likely to expand memory, types, functions of it?

Functional

As it turned out, memory as a higher mental function must be considered as a reflection of reality. So, in accordance with the concept, the basic functions of memory consist in fixing, preserving and then reproducing the experience of past periods. It is through memory that the past and the present of man are connected. In addition, it gives the individual the opportunity to learn and develop.

In this chapter, it will be advisable to consider the functions of human memory. This category contains five functions, complementing each other and forming a single puzzle, among which one can distinguish the following:

• Remembering . In accordance with this provision, a person has the opportunity to memorize fundamentally new information for himself, which is based on previously fixed information. This memory function assumes that during the physical reproduction of the material, the cognitive process begins in one way or another, in which the sensory memory takes part. Then, when the materials are already processed, it turns into a short-term memory. In addition to the above, the presented function also uses the operational memory, where recognition and analysis of characteristics is carried out.
• Considering the basic functions of memory, it is necessary to note preservation . So, the duration of information storage in any case depends on the degree of its application. In other words, the more often a person uses learned information, the more time they will be stored in memory. This memory function is also called archiving. Why? The matter is that in accordance with it the process of retention and subsequent processing of the material is carried out. It is here that it is appropriate to mention the semantical memory characterizing mental functions. It is able to store concepts and definitions collected throughout the life of a person. In addition, there is an episodic memory indicating how known concepts and definitions are associated at a particular moment with a particular person. Thus, the two given types of memory perform their activities in tandem.

Reproduction and forgetting

In addition to memorizing and saving, the following memory functions are known to date:

• Playback is a memory function based on the use of durable memory. It is thanks to this situation that the human brain can successfully repeat, display previously fixed information. It is necessary to supplement that the individual reproduces the material in the same form as he remembers it. For this it is only necessary to recall the most important details. This memory function assumes participation directly in the process of episodic memory. This can add to the playback some events associated with it. This kind of events are usually called "reference points".
• Forgetting . It is important to note that the speed of the corresponding process depends primarily on time (expand the functions of historical memory). There are various reasons for forgetting, for example, a low level in terms of data organization and their nature. In addition, the frequency and age of application of the information is taken into account. Another important reason is "interference". It is primarily associated with the negative impact of certain information. For example, if an individual teaches a report, but learns unpleasant news during the procedure, he will not be able to achieve the result in the memorization procedure. Moreover, it is worthwhile for a person to speak about motivated (purposeful) forgetting, how he intentionally transfers information to the subconscious.

Conclusion

From the above, we can conclude that the central function of memory is nothing more than preservation. Why? The fact is that it is during the creation of this procedure that the master can learn important and useful information that allows the individual to become better, smarter, reach new heights and express incredibly interesting ones. However, it should be remembered that all the memory functions presented above are closely related. That is why they can exist and "act" in a favorable way only in the aggregate, in the organized system (open the functions of historical memory and national consciousness).

Types of memory

To begin with, it should be noted that today as the most common basis for determining different types of memory is the dependence of its characteristics on the characteristics of activities associated with memorization and reproduction. So, in accordance with the following key criteria, separate types of memory are allocated:

• Classification in accordance with the nature of mental activity, which somehow prevails in the course of any activity. So, it is customary to distinguish emotional, motor, verbal-logical and imaginative memory.
• Classification in accordance with the nature of the objectives of the activity assumes the existence of arbitrary and involuntary memory.
• Classification in accordance with the duration of consolidation and preservation of information, which is closely related to the role and place of the activity. So, memory is divided into operational, long-term and short-term.

Touch Memory Imprint

First, open the functions of historical memory and national identity. This can help one entertaining exercise, called the direct imprint of sensory information. This system is capable of retaining a sufficiently complete and accurate picture of the world, which one way or another is perceived through the senses. It is important to note that the duration of its preservation is very insignificant. So, it is only 0.1 -0.5 seconds. What needs to be done?

Slap four fingers on your own hand. Be sure to follow the direct feelings after they disappear. So, at first the real sensation of patting is preserved, in after - only the memory of it.

Try to lead a finger or pencil in different directions before your eyes, looking straight ahead. In doing so, pay attention to a rather vague image that follows the object in motion.

Close your eyes, then open them for a moment and close them again. See how the clear and clear picture you saw is preserved for some time, and then slowly disappears.

Short-term and long-term memory

It is important to note that by means of short-term memory, material that has a single typology is retained (sensory memory acts exactly the other way around). In this case, the information held is not an absolute representation of events occurring at the sensory level, but a direct (direct) interpretation of them. For example, if you formulate a phrase in the presence of a person, it will remember not so much the sounds that make up it, as the words themselves. As a rule, five or six final units from the presented information are subject to memorization. By making an effort on a conscious level (in other words, repeating the information again and again), a person has the possibility of keeping it in short-term memory for an indefinite time period.

Further it is expedient to consider long-term memory. So, there is a convincing and obvious difference between the memory of events and situations of the distant past and the event that just happened. Long-term memory is extremely important, but at the same time extremely complex system of the category under study. It should be noted that the capacity of the reduced memory systems is very limited: the first consists of a number of storage units, the second - from a few tenths of a second. Nevertheless, there are still some limits in terms of the amount of long-term memory, because the brain somehow serves as the ultimate device. In its composition, there are ten billion neurons. Each of them can hold a lot of information. In addition, it is so large that in practical terms, the memory capacity of the human brain can be considered unlimited. Thus, all data held for more than two to three minutes in any case should be in the long-term memory.

The main source of difficulties, which are closely related to long-term memory, is the search for necessary materials and information. The amount of information that is contained in the memory is incredibly large. That is why there is a conjugation with quite serious difficulties. However, as a rule, with a great desire to find the necessary data can be very quickly.

Operative, motor and emotional memory

Under the operational memory should be understood processes of mnemonic nature, which deal with the maintenance of actual actions and operations. Such memory is designed to preserve information provided that they are subsequently forgotten. The period of storage of this type of memory depends mainly on the attendant task and can vary from two to three seconds to two or three days.

Motor memory is nothing more than the process of memorizing, preserving, and then reproducing various kinds of movements, as well as their systems. By the way, today in the world there are many people with a clear and overly pronounced predominance of this type of memory over others, which is very interesting topic for psychologists.

Under emotional memory, one should consider memory for feelings. Emotions somehow give a signal about how the satisfaction of human needs is happening. So the feelings that a person has experienced and retained in memory, appear as signals, or induce to action, or restrain from action when such experience in the past caused negative experiences. That is why in theory and practice, the notion of empathy, which implies the ability to empathize, to sympathize with another person or the hero of the book, is often highlighted. This category is based on emotional memory.

Visual and verbal-logical memory

Under figurative memory one should understand memory for pictures of life and nature, ideas, as well as tastes, sounds and smells. This type of memory is visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, and tasteful. While auditory and visual memory is usually developed rather well (that is, these species play a major role in the life orientation of an adequate person), then olfactory, tactile and taste memory can truly be defined as professional species. As well as the corresponding sensations, they develop especially rapidly due to rather specific conditions of activity, reaching an incredible level provided that the missing types of memory are replaced or compensated, for example, for deaf or blind people.

The content of verbal-logical memory is nothing but human thoughts. The latter can not exist without language (this is where the name of the species originated). Since thoughts can be embodied in different linguistic forms, their reproduction can be directed to the transmission or only of the key meaning of the information presented, or its verbal formalization in the literal sense. While the latter case assumes the exclusion of material exposure by semantic processing, the literal memorization of it can be defined as not logical but mechanical memorization.

Involuntary and random memory

Memorization and subsequent reproduction, where there is no special purpose to remember something, is called involuntary memory. In cases where a similar process is purposeful, it is about memory of an arbitrary nature. So, in the latter situation, the processes correlated with memorization and reproduction act as special mnemonic actions. It is important to note that the presented types of memory form two consecutive stages of development, which are now widely studied by psychologists and other interested persons who carry out certain activities in the relevant scientific field.