We explain what memory is and the types of memory related to time. Also, what is sensory memory and its importance.
What is memory?
The term memory comes from Latin memoryand is understood as the capacity or ability to retain and remember information from the past. Being a term used in various subjects and disciplines, the most precise definitions arise in particular areas.
From psychology and medicine there is a similar conception of the term memory, since in both cases it is understood as the mental faculty that allows you to recognize, store and evoke feelings, ideas, images among other experiences. It also allows us to recognize them as our own. Different types of memories are listed, some of them are:
See also: Thought
Memory in relation to time
- Long-term memory This memory refers to data or information that can be retained for many years. Some examples could be the address of the house where you lived as a child, the birthday of a family member or friend, etc.
- Short-term memory. In this case the data and information receives a sensory analysis but is retained for short periods of time.
- Immediate memory. This type of memory allows us to carry out an analysis of the information that has been captured by the senses in an extremely fast way.
Sensory memory
This type of memory includes those memories that were captured through the senses. These in turn can be subclassified into:
- Gustatory memory Memory that is related to flavors and tastes, for example of foods. It is one of the least developed memories by human beings. However, tasters, for example of wine, do constantly resort to it to make comparisons.
- Visual memory It is what allows us to record those things that have been captured through the sense of sight. Thanks to this type of memory, it is possible to remember, for example, people's faces or remember what is read.
- Auditory memory The memory that allows us to remember what we hear is considered the most important since we owe speech to it. It also allows us to store other sounds, such as noises, songs, tones, among others.
- Touch memory It is one that allows the textures or surfaces of objects to be recognized.
- Olfactory memory It allows us to remember and recognize aromas, for example the aroma of a food or a flower.
Why is memory important?
Memory is a fundamental element in people's lives in different aspects:
- Firstly, it allows us to access an identity thanks to the recognition of our lived experiences.
- On the other hand, it is very important in the socialization process since it allows us to recognize not only ourselves but also those around us.
- Furthermore, the concept of memory is closely linked to that of learning. Although many specialists recognize them as two independent processes, memory is a very useful tool for learning.
Computer Memory
From the field of information technology and computing The term memory can be related to storage. But it also refers to all those components of a computer that allow limited information to be retained for a certain period of time.
There are different levels of memory and it can be classified in different ways, one of them distinguishes RAM from ROM.
- RAM memory Also known as random memory, it is what the computer uses to read the information at the time the program is used and also allows the results of the activities carried out by that same program to be saved. This memory is characterized by being temporary, since once the computer is turned off this information disappears.
- ROM memory It does not allow it to be modified, which is why it is also called read-only memory. This memory is placed in the computer at the time of its manufacture and is extremely important for the computer to function. This is because it has the guidelines so that the different elements of the computer can function from the moment it is turned on until it is turned off. As can be easily interpreted, this memory does not disappear when it stops supplying energy as in the case of RAM memory.
It is also common to hear the term cache memory. In this case, reference is made to a memory that is hidden from the user, that acts automatically and that is characterized by its temporality. This type of memory Allows the user to quickly access data that are used most frequently or that are possible to predict for purely logical reasons.
