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Human Memory



One of the amazing things our brain does is forming new memories๐Ÿ’Œ.

What is memory?

Memory is a function of the brain that allows us to acquire, store, and retrieve information. It includes three main processes: acquiring, storing, and retrieving information such as knowledge, skills, concepts, past experiences, and more into our brain.

Types of Memory

Memory can be divided into two main types: short-term and long-term (see picture 1).

Picture 1

Short-term Memory (STM)

Short-term memory is the system storage that retains information for a short period of time. It has a limited capacity where an individual can only remember 7±2 items (which is 5 to 9 items). In order to store information for a longer period of time, it requires review otherwise without reviewing the information will disappear and be no longer accessible. Examples of STM memories are remembering the amount of food bill to be paid, remembering the phone number you have just been told.

Working Memory (WM)

Similar to STM is working memory. It is an active memory system that maintains information when one is performing a task. It allows you to retain and manipulate the necessary information so that you can execute the tasks required. It has three subordinate systems: 1️⃣central executive, which manages and controls our cognitive processes; 2️⃣phonological loops, which processes auditory information; and 3️⃣visuospatial sketchpads, which interpret visual and spatial information.

Long-term memory (LTM)

On the other hand, long-term memory stores memories for a long period of time. It has two subcategories which are explicit (declarative) and implicit (non-declarative) memory.

Explicit Memory

Explicit memory includes 1️⃣episodic and 2️⃣semantic memory. Episodic memory refers to the recollection memory of our experiences. It is very similar to autobiographical memory which is responsible for storing your daily experiences. For example, remembering your first day of school, graduation ceremony, the first day of work, or even mundane ones such as remembering what you ate for dinner, and more. Whereas, semantic memory is information about facts, concepts, and meaning about the world. It also includes other knowledge that is irrelevant to specific experiences. Examples of semantic memory are knowing the time zone in different countries, the meaning of certain terms or words, the prime minister in Malaysia and etc.

Implicit memory

Lastly, procedural memory is one of the implicit memory. It refers to the memory about how we carry out the procedure of a certain task and the acquired skills. Once you acquire a certain skill as procedural memory, you are able to perform that skill unconsciously and effortlessly. For instance, how to button a shirt, how to cook, how to play badminton, how to drive or ride a bicycle, how to brush teeth, and so on.


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In conclusion, memory plays an important role in our daily life. It helps us to complete daily tasks, remembering dates, knowledge, and most importantly it defines who we are. “We are what we remember and what we remember depends on who we are.” Any memory that we have acquired, particularly episodic memory, defines who we are based on what we remember๐Ÿค—. Similar to Oscar Wilde saying: “Memory is the diary that we all carry about with us.” Our memory consists of everything that we have learned and experienced. Regardless of whether our experience is good or bad, it always becomes our memory in the end and shapes who we are at present.
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