The human brain works continuously. Various physiological and chemical processes constantly occur in it. All events, experiences, movements leave their mark and are subsequently reproduced as memories. This phenomenon has its own name, namely - human memory. This concept includes several processes:
- memorization;
- preservation;
- reproduction.
There are many types of memory. The reasons for their selection can be the following: the nature of psychological activity, the nature of the relationship with various goals of activity, the degree of awareness of the remembered images (information), the period of preservation of images, the purpose of the study.
Classification of types of memory:
1. Figurative - images are formed that are formed through perception through sensory systems. If necessary, they are reproduced in the form of representations. Such memory is divided into subspecies:
- visual;
- auditory;
- taste;
- olfactory;
- tactile.
When using all the described types of figurative memory at once, a person after some time is able to reproduce the received information with high accuracy. If one or several is excluded, the result will deteriorate significantly.
2. Motor (motor) is a person’s memory, manifested in the ability to remember and then reproduce motor operations. For example, cycling, swimming. This type of memory helps in the development of labor skills and any motor acts.
3. Emotional - memory for feelings. It is called the most reliable and durable. Thanks to it, a person is able to reproduce previously experienced feelings, while they can exceed their originals in strength, as well as change to the opposite. The lack of emotional memory makes a person unattractive to others and uninteresting.
4. The human memory is similar to short-term. It allows you to save information only for current operations.
5. Semantic is a person’s memory for words and thoughts. It is logical and mechanical.
6. Production - the intentional memorization of images, which is associated with a specific goal and is carried out using special techniques.
7. Instant - a memory that holds information without processing. Managing such a memory is almost impossible. It is divided into subspecies: iconic, echoic.
8. Short-term memory of a person - memory for information after a single perception with immediate reproduction.
9. Long-term - memory for images, suggesting their long-term storage and multiple reproduction.
10. Genetic memory is determined by the mechanism of heredity. It retains a person’s propensity for certain types of activities, for actions in a particular situation. Reflexes, instincts, elements of a person’s image belong to it.
11. Reproductive memory is manifested in the reproduction of the original, previously stored object. For example, drawing pictures from memory.
12. Associative memory involves remembering and establishing functional relationships between objects. For example, walking past a store, a man remembered that he needed to buy something.
13. An autobiographical is a memory of any events from one's own life that occurred in the past, regardless of prescription.
All types of memory, regardless of which category they belong to, are closely related. Using several types at the same time, we improve the quality of stored and reproduced information.
There are specially developed techniques for improving memory. Many of them apply to children in educational institutions. Each person, if desired, can improve their memory through various exercises.