Long-Term Memory and Memory Processes

LONG-TERM MEMORY AND MEMORY PROCESSES I. Understanding Long-Term Memory 1. Long-Term Memory Overview  Long-term memory stores information permanently.  Information based on experiences, facts, language, or insights.  Primary  function:   provides   information   for  decision   making,   behavioral   control,and evaluation. 2. Types of Long-Term Memory  Declarative Memory (Explicit Memory):  Accessible consciously.  Can be verbalized or visualized.  Subtypes:   Episodic   (context-specific),   Semantic   (general   worldknowledge), and Autobiographic (personal experiences).  Non-Declarative Memory (Implicit Memory):  Independent of conscious access.  Controls behavior unconsciously.  Includes   habituation,   sensitization,   classical   conditioning,   perceptualrepresentation, and procedural memory. II. Memory Processes 1. Procedural Approach to Memory  Focuses on individual memory processes.  Five phases: Encoding, Retention, Consolidation, Recall, and Forgetting.  Three key aspects in information processing: hierarchy, modality-specificity, andcascading. 2. Memory Process Phases  Encoding:  Initial input of information.  Retention:  Holding and storing information over time.

 Consolidation:   The   process   of   making   a   memory   stable   and   resistant   to interference.  Recall:  Retrieving stored information.  Forgetting:  Loss of stored information over time. III. Key Takeaways  Long-term   memory   is   a   permanent   storage   system   for   various   types   ofinformation.  Declarative   memory   allows   conscious   access,   while   non-declarative   memorycontrols behavior unconsciously.  Memory   processes   involve   encoding,   retention,   consolidation,   recall,   andforgetting.  Information processing occurs hierarchically, is modality-specific initially, and iscascaded across processes.