Definition
Memory is the ability of the human brain to store information and retrieve it at a later time. The period of time until this information is recalled can be very variable, which is why different types of memory are distinguished. In addition, memory consists of a complex of several successive steps to filter the actual sensory impression first, to put it into a form that can be stored, to create links in the brain to it and to be able to recall it later.
Today we know that the main players in memory are the more than 100 billion nerve cells that make up our brain. These do not store images or shapes, but communicate with each other via a sequence of electrical impulses and messenger substances in such a way that our memories appear to the mind’s eye as the original image. Depending on how strong this connection between certain nerve cells is and how often it is called up, this memory is also more permanent than others.
Short-term memory and long-term memory
The most common distinction of memory is the division into short and long-term memory. As the name suggests, short-term memory is used to store information only for a short time. In long-term memory, on the other hand, information is stored for longer periods of time up to a lifetime.
With the short time memory one differentiates besides still the Ultrakurzzeitgedächtnis. This stores sensory impressions only for a few seconds, for example to remember the beginning of a sentence until the person has finished speaking it. Alternatively, this form of memory is also referred to as sensory memory, since it is primarily primary sensory impressions that are stored.
Furthermore, there is the working memory, also a form of short-term memory in which the information is stored a bit longer. A typical example of this would be the daily goals, which you set yourself in the morning and do not forget during the day, but which quickly disappear from your memory in the next few days. There are also two types of long-term memory.
Episodic memory stores information that we are aware of. For example, important life events as well as our personal life story belong to this. The semantic memory, on the other hand, stores rather our general knowledge, which we can call up at any time, but which we are not really aware of at every moment.
Examples are the names of important capitals, word meanings or facts about famous people. In addition, procedural memory is also distinguished. This is mainly responsible for already learned movement sequences, which we can unconsciously repeat at any time. A typical example of this is cycling, where the brain unconsciously takes over the control of the right muscles at the right time. and long-term memory
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