Memories are not one-size fits all. In fact, there are many different ways that the brain chooses to store information depending on its purpose.
Short-Term Memory: This kind of memory only lasts for about 15-30 seconds. It is the frame of time in which the brain temporarily holds on to information either to use immediately and then forget, or store for later. Examples of short-term memory include remembering someone’s number just long enough to punch it into your phone, or playing a matching game.
Long-Term Memory: This where anything you remember that happened more than a few minutes ago is stored for future use. The next three types of memory occur within this context.
Episodic Memory: These memories are personal, and therefore unique to each individual. This is where the makeup of a person’s history and identity can be found, in memories of childhood birthday parties, your perception of your parents, and big events like your wedding day or the loss of a loved-one. This is often subjective because it is your personal experience.
Semantic Memory: This is where you store basic information about the world around you, the details of which you absorb as you go through life. Examples of semantic memories can include the color of the leaves during autumn, the names of nearby cities or the sound a bird makes.
Procedural Memory: This kind of memory is demonstrated through action; you don’t have to verbalize or consciously think through the information in order to put it to use. Procedural memory is found in completing tasks like brushing your teeth, or using learned skills like making a shot from the three-point line on a basketball court.
Test your knowledge of these five types of memory with a quick Fill-in-the-Blank activity! To play, click HERE.
Click the man using his procedural memory skills below to proceed to Part 3!
This page was last updated: 11/21/2020
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