memory

Psychology

2022

We explain what memory is and the types of memory related to time. Also, what is sensory memory and its importance.

Memory allows us to recognize and store feelings, ideas and images, among others.

What is memory?

The term memory comes from Latin memory, and is understood as the ability or ability to retain and remember information from the past. Being a term used in various subjects and disciplines, the most precise definitions emerge in particular settings.

From the psychology and medicine has a similar conception of the term memory, since in both cases it is understood as the mental faculty that allows to recognize, store and evoke feelings, ideas, images, among other experiences. It also allows us to recognize them as our own. Different types of memories are listed, some of them are:

Memory in relation to time

  • Long term memory. This report refers to the data or information that can be retained for many years. Some examples could be the address of the house where you lived as a child, the birthday of a family member or friend, etc.
  • Short term memory. In this case the data and information receives a analysis sensory but is retained for short periods of weather.
  • Immediate memory. This type of memory allows an analysis of the information that has been captured by the senses very quickly.

Sensory memory

The olfactory memory allows you to remember and recognize aromas.

This type of memory includes those memories that were captured through the senses. These in turn can be sub-classified into:

  • Gustatory memory. Memory that is related to flavors and tastes, for example of the foods. It is one of the least developed memories by Humans. However the tasters, for example of wine, if they resort to it constantly to make comparisons.
  • Visual memory. It is the one that allows to register those things that have been captured through the sense of sight.Thanks to this type of memory, it is possible to remember, for example, people's faces or to remember what is read.
  • Auditory memory. The memory that allows us to remember what we hear is considered the most important since it is due to the speaks. It also allows us to store other sounds, such as noises, songs, tones, among others.
  • Touch memory. It is one that allows the textures or surfaces of the objects to be recognized.
  • Olfactory memory. It allows us to remember and recognize aromas, for example the aroma of a food or a flower.

Why is memory important?

Memory is a fundamental element in the life of people in different aspects:

  • First, it allows us to access a identity thanks to the recognition of lived experiences.
  • On the other hand it is very important in the process from socialization since it allows us to recognize not only ourselves but also those around us.
  • In addition, the concept of memory is closely linked to that of learning. Although many specialists recognize them as two independent processes, memory is a very useful tool for learning.

Memory in Computer Science

RAM memory is characterized by being temporary.

From the field of computing and the computing the term memory can be related to storage. But it also refers to all those components of a computer that allow limited information to be retained for a certain period of time.

There are different levels of memory and it can be classified in different ways, one of them distinguishes RAM from ROM.

  • RAM memory. Also known under the name of random memory, it is the one that uses the computer to read the information at the time the program is used and also allows you to save the results of the activities carried out by the same Program. This memory is characterized by being temporary, since once the computer is turned off this information disappears.
  • ROM memory. It does not allow to be modified, that is why it is also called memory of only reading. This memory is placed in the computer at the time of its manufacture and is extremely important for the computer to function. This is because it has the guidelines so that the different elements of the computer can function from the moment it is turned on until it is turned off. As can well be interpreted, this memory does not disappear when we stop supplying Energy as in the case of RAM.

It is also common to hear about the term cache. In this case, reference is made to a memory that is hidden from the Username, which acts automatically and is characterized by its temporality. This type of memory allows the user to quickly access the data that is used most frequently or that is possible to predict for purely logical reasons.

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