Memory: Memory Classification and Views

Memory is a mental process, which consists in fixing, preserving, and subsequently reproducing information. Thanks to these operations, the preservation of human experience is ensured.

History of research

The first studies of memory began in ancient times and were associated with the learning process. In ancient Greece, for example, it was considered that information penetrates the human head in the form of concrete material particles, leaving imprints on the soft substance of the brain, like clay or wax.

Subsequently, the author of the "hydraulic" model of the nervous system, R. Descartes, formulates the idea that the regular use of the same nerve fibers (hollow tubes, according to Descartes) reduces their resistance to the movement of "life spirits" (due to stretching). This, in turn, leads to the formation of memorization.

In the 80-ies. The 19th century G. Ebbinghaus offers his own method of studying the laws of so-called pure memory. Reception consisted in memorizing meaningless syllables. The result was the memory curves, as well as certain patterns of action of the mechanisms of associations. For example, it was found that especially those events that impressed a person are especially firmly remembered. Such information is remembered immediately and for a long time. On the contrary, less significant for a person data (even if they are more complex in their content) in memory, as a rule, for a long time do not persist. Thus, H. Ebbinghaus first applies to the study of memory the experimental method.

Beginning with the end of the 19th century and further, the memory process is attempted to interpret by analogy with the functioning of such mechanical devices as a telephone, a tape recorder, an electronic computer, etc. If one draws analogies with modern technologies, then there is a classification of computer memory.

In modern scientific school, biological analogies are used in analyzing the mechanisms of memorization. For example, some molecular types are attributed to a molecular basis: the process of capturing information is accompanied by an increase in the content of nucleic acids in the neurons of the brain.

Classification of memory

Psychology is based on the following criteria in the allocation of memory types:

1. The nature of the prevailing mental activity:

• Motor,
• Shaped,
• Emotional,
• Verbal and logical.

2. Nature of the objectives of the activity:

• Arbitrary,
• Involuntary.

3. Duration of fastening / preservation of the material:

• Short-term,
• Long-term,
• Operative.

4. Use of mnemotechnical tools:

• Direct,
• Mediated.

The nature of the predominant activity of mental activity

Despite the fact that all types of memory that correspond to this criterion do not exist separately, but closely interact with each other, Blonsky has identified a specific specificity for each of the species:

• Motor (motor) memory. The classification of memory in this case is aimed at the predominance of certain movements. So, for example, this kind is fundamental for the formation of practical and motor skills (walking, running, writing, etc.). Otherwise, in implementing this or that motor act, we would have to learn it every time. In this case, there is a certain stable part of these skills (for example, each of us has his own handwriting, a manner of giving a hand for greeting, a manner of using cutlery, etc.) and a variable (a certain deviation of the movements depending on the situation).
• Image memory. The classification of memory is aimed at memorization from the point of view of the leading modality (visual, auditory, olfactory, gustatory, tactile). The information perceived by a person earlier, after the formation of figurative memory, is reproduced already in the form of representations. Specific properties of representations are their fragmentariness, as well as fuzziness and instability. Accordingly, the image reproduced in the memory may differ significantly from its original.
• Emotional memory. It manifests itself in the process of remembering and reproducing feelings. It is extremely important in the mental activity of the individual, since emotions are primarily a signal of the state of our needs and interests, of our relationship with the world around us. Feelings that we have experienced in the past and fixed in memory act subsequently as stimulants / antipodes to certain actions for us. In this case, as in the previous form, the feelings reproduced in memory can differ substantially from their original original (depending on the change in the nature, content and strength of a certain experience).
• Verbal and logical memory. It is aimed at memorizing the individual's thoughts (reflections on the read book, the content of the conversation with friends, etc.). At the same time, the functioning of thought is impossible without the participation of linguistic forms - hence the name: verbal-logical memory. The classification of memory thus includes two subspecies: when it is necessary to memorize only the meaning of the material without accurately reproducing the accompanying verbal expressions; When it is also necessary to have a literal verbal expression of certain thoughts.

Nature of the objectives of the activity

• Arbitrary memory. It is accompanied by active participation of the will in the process of memorizing, fixing and reproducing this or that information.
• Involuntary memory. The flow of the basic mechanisms of memory passes without strong-willed effort, automatically. At the same time, due to the strength of memorization, involuntary memory can be both weaker and, conversely, more stable than arbitrary storage.

Duration of material retention / preservation

The basic classifications of memory, as a rule, always include a time criterion.

• Short-term memory. Preserves information after the cessation of its perception (action on the sensory organs of the appropriate stimuli) for about 25-30 seconds.
• Long-term memory. It is the dominant type of memorization for an individual, designed to store information for a long period. In this case, this information is repeatedly used by a person.
• RAM. It is aimed at storing specific information within the limits of the solution of the corresponding current task. Actually, this task determines the specificity of RAM in this or that situation. The classification of operational memory is also associated with a time criterion. Depending on the conditions of the problem being solved, the time for storing information in the main memory can vary from a few seconds to several days.

Use of mnemotechnical tools

• Immediate memory. The classification of memory in this case is carried out from the point of view of the presence / absence of certain auxiliary means-tools. With the direct form of memorization, the process of direct action of the perceived material on the sense organs of the individual is carried out.
• Mediated memory. It is carried out when the individual uses special means and techniques in the process of memorizing and reproducing material.

Thus, an additional link is used between the information itself and its imprint in memory. As such links, special notes, nodules, cribs, etc. can appear.