As you know, every experience, movement or impression of a person in one way or another forms a trail that can last a very long period of time. In addition, under certain conditions, it can manifest itself again, and therefore, become the subject of consciousness. What is memory? Are the types, functions and its main properties somehow interconnected? How exactly? Answers to these and other equally interesting questions can be found in the process of familiarization with the materials of the article. It would be advisable to start by directly considering the concept.
Memory, memory functions
In simple terms, memory can be defined as recording (imprinting), 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 old information, skills, and knowledge.
From a scientific point of view, memory is a function of processing stimulus information. This is a complex process of a psychic nature, which contains several processes of a private orientation, interconnected. So, any consolidation in relation to skills and knowledge must be attributed to the activity of memory. What problems, reflecting the category, features and functions of historical memory and national identity, exist today? It is important to note that in modern times, psychology raises a circle of complex questions. How are events captured in memory? What are the physiological mechanisms of this process? Which of the methods known today allow to expand the memory, types, and functions of it to a greater extent?
Functional
As it turned out, memory as the highest mental function must be considered as a reflection of reality. So, in accordance with the concept, the main functions of memory are to consolidate, preserve and subsequently reproduce the experience of past periods. It is through memory that the past and present of a person 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 that complement each other and add up to a single puzzle, among which the following can be distinguished:
- Memorization . In accordance with this provision, a person has the opportunity to remember information that is fundamentally new for himself, which are based on previously fixed information. This memory function assumes that in the process of physical reproduction of the material, one way or another, the process of cognition begins, in which sensory memory takes part. Then, when the materials have already been processed, it turns into a short-term memory. In addition to the above, the presented function also involves operational memory, where recognition and analysis of characteristics is carried out.
- Considering the basic functions of memory, one cannot but note the 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 the learned information, the more a long period of time they will be stored in memory. This memory function is also called archiving. Why? The fact 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 advisable to mention the semantic memory characterizing mental functions. It is able to store concepts and definitions collected throughout a person’s life. In addition, there is an episodic memory indicating how well-known concepts and definitions are associated at a particular moment with a particular person. Thus, the two types of memory presented operate in tandem.
Play and forget
In addition to storing and saving, the following memory functions are known today:
- Playback is a memory function based on the use of long-term memory. Thanks to this position, the human brain can successfully repeat, display previously fixed information. It must be added that the individual reproduces the material in the same form as he remembers it. To do this, you only need to remember the most important details. This memory function involves participation directly in the episodic memory process. This can add to the playback some of the events associated with it. Events of this kind are commonly called "reference points."
- Oblivion . It is important to note that the speed of the corresponding process depends primarily on time (reveal the functions of historical memory). There are various reasons for forgetting, for example, the 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 in the process of implementing the procedure he learns unpleasant news, he will not be able to achieve a result in the memorization procedure. Moreover, it is worth a person to talk about motivated (purposeful) forgetting how he intentionally transfers information to the subconscious.
Output
From the foregoing, we can conclude that the central function of memory is nothing but storage. Why? The fact is that it is in the process of producing a given procedure in the human mind that important and useful information can be acquired, which 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 an organized system (uncover the functions of historical memory and national identity).
Varieties of memory
To begin with, it should be noted that today, as the most general basis for determining different types of memory, there is a dependence of its features 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 one way or another prevails in the process of any activity. So, it is customary to allocate emotional, motor, verbal-logical and figurative memory.
- The classification in accordance with the nature of the goals of the activity implies the presence of arbitrary and involuntary memory.
- Classification in accordance with the duration of consolidation and storage 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 fingerprint
To begin with, uncover the functions of historical memory and national identity. One entertaining exercise called the direct fingerprint of sensory information can help . This system is capable of holding a fairly complete and accurate picture of the world, which is somehow perceived through the senses. It is important to note that the duration of its preservation is very frivolous. 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 sensations after they disappear. So, at first the actual feeling of patting is preserved, after - only a memory of him.
Try moving your finger or pencil in different directions before your eyes, looking directly in front of you. At the same time, pay attention to a rather vague image that follows an object in motion.
Close your eyes, then open them for a moment and close again. Track how you saw a clear and sharp picture for a certain period of time is stored, and then slowly disappears.
Short-term and long-term memory
It is important to note that by means of short-term memory material that is characteristic of one typology is retained (sensory memory acts exactly the opposite). In this case, the information held is not an absolute display of events occurring at the sensory level, but a direct (direct) interpretation of them. For example, if one or another phrase is formulated in the presence of a person, he will remember not so much the sounds that make it up as the words themselves. As a rule, five to six final units from the presented information are subject to memorization. Having made an effort at a conscious level (in other words, repeating information again and again), a person has the opportunity to keep him in short-term memory for an indefinite time period.
Further, it will be appropriate 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 an extremely important, but at the same time an extremely complex system of the studied category. It should be noted that the capacity of these memory systems is very limited: the first consists of a number of storage units, the second of several tenths of a second. Nevertheless, some framework in terms of the amount of long-term memory still exists today, because the brain somehow serves as the ultimate device. It consists of ten billion neurons. Each of them can hold a considerable amount 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 information held for more than two to three minutes should in any case be in long-term memory.
The main source of difficulties that are closely related to long-term memory is the question of finding the necessary materials, information. The amount of information contained in the memory is incredibly large. That is why there is a pairing with quite serious difficulties. However, as a rule, with a strong desire to find the necessary data, you can very quickly.
Operative, motor and emotional memory
Under the RAM should be understood processes of a mnemonic nature that are engaged in the maintenance of relevant actions and operations. Such a memory is designed to preserve information provided that it is subsequently forgotten. The storage period of this type of memory depends mainly on the accompanying task and can vary from two to three seconds to two to three days.
Motor memory is nothing but the process of memorizing, saving and subsequent reproduction of 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 particular type of memory over others, which is a very interesting topic for psychologists.
Under emotional memory should be considered memory of feelings. Emotions somehow give a signal about how the satisfaction of human needs occurs. So the feelings that a person experienced and retained in memory appear as signals, either prompting action or deterring action when such an experience in the past caused negative experiences. That is why in theory and practice, the concept of empathy is often highlighted, which implies the ability to empathize, sympathize with another person or the hero of the book. This category is based on emotional memory.
Figurative and verbal-logical memory
Under figurative memory should be understood the memory of the pictures of life and nature, ideas, as well as tastes, sounds and smells. This type of memory is visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, as well as taste. While auditory and visual memory are developed, as a rule, quite well (that is, these varieties play a major role in the life orientation of an adequate person), olfactory, tactile and taste memory can truly be defined as professional species. As well as the corresponding sensations, they develop especially quickly 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 more than human thoughts. The latter cannot exist without a language (this is where the name of the species came from). Since thoughts can be embodied in different linguistic forms, their reproduction can be sent to transmit either only the key meaning of the information presented, or its verbal design in the literal plan. While the latter case involves the exclusion of subjecting the material to semantic processing, its literal memorization can be defined as mechanical memorization rather than logical.
Involuntary and arbitrary memory
Memorization and subsequent reproduction, where there is no special purpose to remember something, is called involuntary memory. In those cases when a similar process is focused, we are talking about arbitrary memory. So, in the latter situation, processes correlated with memorization and reproduction act as special mnemonic actions. It is important to note that the presented types of memory form two successive stages of development, which today are broadly studied by psychologists and other interested parties engaged in this or that activity in the corresponding scientific field.