Monday 18 February 2013

What is memory?


Memory is the process in which information is encoded, stored, and retrieved. When we encode information from the outside world, we allow it to reach our senses in the forms of chemical and physical stimuli. At the first stage we must change the physical information we see into a memory to start the encoding process. Storage is the second memory process where we are able to maintain information over a period of time. Finally the third process is the retrieving information that has been stored. Locating it and return it to our consciousness, this is the process that I am using to get my memories from people, getting them to recall memories of loved ones that have passed away.







There are three different types of memory that we use:

Sensory memory - holds sensory information for a few seconds or less after an item is perceived. The ability to look at an item, and remember what it looked like with just a second of observation, or memorisation, is an example of sensory memory. This type of memory cannot be prolonged via rehearsal.

Short-term memory- allows recall for a period of several seconds to a minute without rehearsal. Its capacity is also very limited: 

Long-term memory - can store much larger quantities of information for potentially unlimited duration (sometimes a whole life span). Its capacity is immeasurably large. For example, given a random seven-digit number we may remember it for only a few seconds before forgetting, suggesting it was stored in our short-term memory. On the other hand, we can remember telephone numbers for many years through repetition; this information is said to be stored in long-term memory.
Long-term memories are maintained by more stable and permanent changes in neural connections widely spread throughout the brain. The hippocampus is essential for learning new information and turning information from short-term to long-term memory. Although it does not seem to store information itself, without it new memories are stored into our long-term memory. 


Another part of long-term memory is episodic memory "which attempts to capture information such as “what”, “when” and “where”. With episodic memory individuals are able to recall specific events such as birthday parties and weddings. This episodic memory is important in my research and development of ideas for the visual work of my project.

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