Types of memory in humans: classifications based on different bases, overview of the main ones

Depending on the functions and individual characteristics, psychology distinguishes different types of memory in humans. Each differs in scope, activity, goal setting and involvement of other cognitive processes. The development of some occurs naturally, during growing up. The formation of others occurs especially intensively at a certain part of the life path. But most still require constant training. Therefore, it is important to know the characteristic features of each of them.

What is memory?

Memory is a complex of mental abilities to accumulate, store and reproduce information. Without these skills it is difficult to imagine human existence. Academician Ivan Sechenov argued that without the ability to store sensations and information, we would forever remain in the developmental phase of a newborn. After all, how can you satisfy basic needs if not a single idea is formed about it?

The title of leader in the study of memory was secretly awarded to Hermann Ebbinghaus. The researcher, experimenting on himself, formulated a definition of memory, revealed the nature and mechanism of its action.

Today it is known that the level of its development depends on:

functioning of the nervous system;
formation of each of the memory processes;
education, level of education;
temperament;
type of activity.

In addition to personal characteristics, memory has age limits. For example, preschoolers, primary school students, and teenagers remember new things differently. Based on this, there are theories that claim that before the age of 3, a child is able to learn several languages.

It is difficult to answer the question “what is normal memory”, since it is developed differently in everyone. But some deviations still occur. We can live with them all our lives without giving them due importance.

Take a temperament test

The most common disorders are:

hypomnesia – decreased ability to remember something;
hypermnesia – obsessive memories, feverish excitement;
paramnesia – distortion of memories, their substitution or deformation.

Properties of memory.

Capacity is the amount of material that can be remembered.
Memorization speed is the individual pace of learning new things.
Storage duration is the period from the appearance to the disappearance of the material.
Reproduction accuracy is the level of reliability of the original facts.
Playback speed – the pace of searching for the required statements.
Noise immunity – resistance to all kinds of obstacles.

Ways to preserve the memory of humanity

Methods and forms of preserving historical memory were created gradually. The first form of preserving the memory of society was rock paintings, through which the younger generation learned about how their ancestor lived. Architecture had a very great influence on people before writing appeared. The development of writing marked the beginning of a huge process that continues to this day. Thanks to manuscripts and scrolls, the older generation passed on important and secret information to their followers. It’s not for nothing that they say: what is written with a pen cannot be cut out with an axe. Why did writing take over everyone and everything so dramatically? Let's start with the fact that architecture was available only to masters of their craft. They did their work commissioned by wealthy nobles, because most architects were poor but talented. It can be argued that only a few were literate, and this is true. But literacy could be learned much faster, and it did not require special permissions - write what you want. The clergy were able to pass on their thoughts, observations and teachings from generation to generation. Moreover, literate people began to write fiction, describing in it all the sorrow of their situation. The older generation had the opportunity to accumulate wisdom and pass it on to their children. Actually, literature is a powerful tool for preserving the social memory of society. Also important, but less significant forms of preserving social memory include: music, architecture, festivals.

With the advent of secondary schools, textbooks began to play an important role in the formation of the historical consciousness of mankind. It is to them that students believe unquestioningly, and it is from there that they draw all the information. Folklore, memoirs, textbooks, biographies, holidays, memorial days, architecture have a huge impact on the formation of an integral cultural memory. In the modern world, the influence has only intensified, as the media, radio, television, and the Internet have rapidly developed. The public should understand that real historical facts rarely lie on the surface, so information from any source should be criticized and subjected to logical doubt.

Memory processes.

Memorization.

We remember information both voluntarily and non-voluntarily. Personally significant facts are usually deposited in consciousness on their own, while we maintain a passive position. Memories in this case are fragmentary. We remember what bouquet of flowers we received on our first date, but we forget what we were wearing. The point is not that someone set a goal to remember the bouquet and spent the whole evening looking at its components. This is how selectivity works.

An interesting study was conducted by psychologist Bloom Zeigarnik. She proved that unfinished actions are remembered better. For example, if we were late for the train, did not achieve a promotion, or did not receive what we expected, then we will definitely firmly fix this event in our minds. As it turns out, situations with a positive resolution do not last long. This is how negative emotions resulting from stress and disappointment influence.

Psychologists have determined how the memorization process works . It is based on repetition and meaningful perception. There is a special branch of psychology - mnemonics, within which the principles of associative memorization are studied. For example, the transfer of information through images, pictures, schematic images.

Depending on the type of memorization, there are 4 types of memory: motor, figurative, verbal and emotional. Each person has one or another type more developed.

Preservation of material.

Depending on the level at which the material is recorded, sensory, short-term, long-term and operational types of memory are distinguished. Each of them has its own characteristics.

Playback.

There are four forms of information reproduction:

Recognition occurs when we see an object again.
Memory - the object is missing, but with the help of associations you can involuntarily reproduce what was forgotten.
Recall – Recalling material requires effort.
Reminiscence is delayed reproduction, that is, remembering something that seemed long forgotten .

Take the EQ emotional intelligence test

Forgetting.

This is the process of reducing the amount of data stored. This is a natural, natural action, which is only in rare cases an anomaly. Forgetting is caused by the following factors:

Time – after 60 minutes we tend to forget half of what we heard.
Active use - we forget what we do not use constantly. But the ability to swim, ride a bike or know a language is recorded on a subconscious level, so it is not forgotten.

General classification

There are a large number of classifications of memory in domestic and foreign psychology. If you need to study this material in detail, you should look at the works of P. P. Blonsky, R. S. Nemov, F. N. Shemyakin, D. O. Hebb and other specialists.

There are only the main types; psychology identifies the following:

In fact, in addition to the main types of memory, descriptions of others can be found in the works of psychologists. For example, the classification according to the nature of mental activity sometimes also includes:

sensory - visual, when fixation occurs at the moment of blinking;
eidetic - combined, when visual impressions (which form its basis) are reinforced by others (auditory, gustatory, tactile), which allows subsequently to reproduce an unusually vivid image;
social - preservation of socially significant information accumulated by previous generations;
spatial - visual, allowing you to navigate the area well, remembering the features of the route.

The classification by duration is expanded by such a type as ultra-short-term memory (another name is the sensory register) - retaining information for several seconds. Includes iconic (for fixing visual material, lasts less than a second) and echoic (for acoustic, lasts 2 seconds).

Some psychologists classify types of memory into a separate group based on the type of organization of memorization:

episodic - storage of specific information limited to a certain period (about a concert, for example);
procedural (automatic) - a way of performing an action without taking into account its content, through skills brought to automaticity (driving skill).

Within each typology, several more species are distinguished. Psychologists are actively engaged in their classification to this day, constantly expanding and improving it.

Physiology and psychology of memory.

Physiological aspect.

Physiologists carefully study memory, the definition of which is determined by studies of the nervous system. Thus, the volume of our “archive” depends on the number of nerve cells involved. It has also been proven that the proteins DCO, LEO, and CaMKII are necessary for memorization and active brain function. It is their deficiency that causes various diseases associated with amnesia.

The connection between memory and physiological activity is known. Californian scientists have found that physical activity increases the levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid and glutamic acid in the brain. 20 minutes of active exercise is enough to increase the concentration of the necessary compounds to a level sufficient for memorization.

Theories of memory in psychology.

Memory in psychology is a property that helps a person navigate in space and time. Entire theories have been developed about what processes happen to us during memorization.

Associative - our brain looks for connections between objects, pulling from the “archive” everything that is involved in a given situation. The search occurs in categories of similarity or contrast.
Behavioral – to remember the material, you need to do exercises. This way the material is reliably preserved.
Cognitive – information is processed using blocks. Some blocks recognize it, others create an oriental map, and others hold it.
Activity - a view of the process as the interaction of a person with the world.

Cultural heritage of the society

Social memory, which will be defined below, is considered a subject for interdisciplinary research because it is very multifaceted. It represents an important system for transmitting a cultural heritage that is very voluminous, diverse and chaotic. Due to the fact that humanity has invented many ways to transmit its knowledge, impressions and thoughts to future generations, the social memory of society is enormous, and every person can draw from it.

Cultural heritage is very important because it explains the past and helps us understand the future. Universal memory cannot disappear, but, unfortunately, it is very easy to distort. The issues of true preservation of history are dealt with not only by specialists, but also by ordinary people. They write biographies and memoirs that are not published anywhere, but simply lie in an old house, in a dusty closet, waiting in the wings. Everything secret sooner or later becomes clear, so humanity learns its true history.

How do the laws of memory work?

The law of interest - interesting or unusual facts are remembered for a long time.
Comprehension is what we understand, realize, and perceive more deeply.
Attitudes - if there is a desire to remember something, then this will happen.
Actions - when theory is reinforced in practice, the action is better remembered.
Attention - memory and attention are inseparable, since only concentration on an object helps to maintain an accurate idea of it.
Context - facts fixed by associations are learned more reliably.
Inhibition - if we study similar concepts, then one “overlaps” the other, neutralizing both.
Edges – what is presented at the beginning or end of the text is more clearly preserved.
Repetition - if the material has been repeated several times, it will be remembered better than that which is spoken once.
Incompleteness – unsaid phrases or unfinished actions are remembered better
Gradual - portioned material is easier to remember.

Human memory has become the subject of many studies and theories. It is not surprising, since humans have the unique ability to accumulate, store and reproduce information. We told what laws govern this process and revealed its psychological and physiological features. In order not to forget, use the article as a cheat sheet.

Take a psychological age test

Memory training or how to learn to remember?
How to develop memory and what techniques are there for this?
Why does bad memory happen and what to do about it?
How to restore memory - 17 ways
What exercises are there to develop memory?
What are memories and how to preserve them?
How to remember information quickly and for a long time?
What types of human memory are there?
How to improve memory - 19 proven techniques

Social memory manipulation

The methods and forms of preserving historical memory are very diverse, especially in the context of rapidly developing science. Before considering ways to preserve historical memory, it should be noted that they all have a huge impact on a person’s perception of himself in history, as well as on the interpretation of the past. Skillful manipulation of the past at the state level can lead to stunning consequences, because the nation will not be able to turn to its true origins. Unfortunately, manipulation of history by the authorities is very common, which has an extremely negative impact on young people’s perception of the past of their people. Many facts are skillfully and deliberately hidden, and some completely disappear from the historical chronicle. It is very difficult to influence this, because historians compile textbooks. However, are they confident in the veracity of the knowledge they received at a higher educational institution? This question continues to be open.