Distinguish among the various types of memory with suitable examples.
Answers
Answer:
Memory is the power of the brain to recall past experiences or information. In this faculty of the mind, information is encoded, stored, and retrieved. In the broadest sense, there are three types of memory: sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory.
Typically, when we think of the word "memory," we're referring to long term-memory, like remembering the quarterback for the New York Giants. But, our minds also possess sensory and short-term memory. Not all memories are the same; the different types function in different ways.
Explanation:
▪︎Sensory Memory
Sensory memory is our shortest form of memory. It's very fleeting - no more than a flash. Sensory memory acts as a buffer for stimuli received through the five senses. These images are accurately retained, but only for a brief moment in time, typically less than half a second.
Have you ever waved a sparkler in the air and seen a trail of light behind it? That's sensory memory: an image, a scent, a sound. Just as it sounds, sensory memory works with our senses to recall some quick flash of information.
There are three main subcategories of sensory memory. Let's take a look.
▪︎Iconic Memory
This refers to immediate visual memories. Iconic memory is also very, very fleeting. It's how the brain remembers an image you just saw moments ago. Say something flashed on your computer screen for less than a second. Your brain will "remember" what it saw very briefly, even after the image is gone. Beyond the 0.5 second mark, anything you "remember" goes on to short-term memory.
▪︎Echoic Memory
Sometimes referred to as auditory sensory memory, echoic memory pertains to audio memories. Overall, echoic memories are stored slightly longer than iconic memories: about four seconds. If you hear a few notes of a melody, you may able to hum it back immediately after it finishes. However, if you were asked for the melody again in a few minutes, you may be unable to remember it unless it transferred to short-term memory.
▪︎Haptic Memory
This refers to memories involving the sense of touch. Just like with iconic and echoic memory, haptic memory is equally fleeting. If you run your hand over a rough surface, you'll remember the exact sensation you felt for a few seconds. After that, the memory needs to be encoded into short-term memory for later recall.
Other Sensory Memories
What about the other two senses: olfactory (smell) and gustatory (taste)? Even though we often hear that our sense of smell is our strongest link to the past, ironically, the above three subcategories are more extensively studied in the context of sensory memory.
Whether you're dealing with sight, smell, or taste, remember that sensory memories are fleeting.They're nothing more than a flash - a flash of a sparkler or an image flitting across your screen.