What kind of memory does a person have. The main types of human memory and their main characteristics

Memory can be defined as the ability to receive, store and reproduce life experience. All living beings have memory; Various instincts, innate and acquired mechanisms of behavior are nothing but imprinted, inherited or acquired in the process of individual life experience. Without the constant renewal of such experience, its reproduction, living organisms would not be able to adapt to current or rapidly changing life events. Without remembering what happened to him, the body could not improve further.

In animal organisms, there are only two types of memory: ontogenetic and genetic. ontogenetic memory acts in the form of the ability to learn, to acquire life experience, which cannot be preserved anywhere else but in the organism itself and disappears along with its departure from life. genetic memory manifests itself in the transmission by genetic means from generation to generation of vital biological, psychological and behavioral properties.

Memory reaches the highest level of development in a person who has such a powerful means of storing information as language. Without memory, the normal functioning of either the individual or society is impossible. In human society, social memory is being formed as a way of transmitting sociocultural information from generation to generation.

Memory is a way of the existence of the psyche in time, a way of keeping the past, i.e. what is no longer present. Therefore, memory is a necessary condition for the unity of the human psyche, our psychological identity.

Human memory can be defined as psychophysiological and cultural processes that perform in life functions of storing, saving and reproducing information. These functions are basic for memory.

There are several reasons for classifying the types of human memory. One of them is the division of memory according to the time of storing the material, the other - according to operational characteristics, the third - according to the analyzer prevailing in the memory processes, etc.

According to the time of storing information, psychologists distinguish instant, short-term, operational, long-term and genetic memory. Instantaneous or sensory memory is a primitive process carried out at the level of receptors, the direct reflection of information by the senses. Traces in it remain only for a very short time - about 1/4 of a second, during which the question is decided whether the received signals will attract the attention of higher parts of the brain or not. If this does not happen, then in less than a second the traces are erased and the sensory memory is filled with new signals.

Short-term memory is a way of storing information for a short period of time - about 20 seconds (without repetition). Any information first enters short-term memory, after which the information can be completely forgotten or transferred to long-term memory, provided that the information is repeated once or twice. The amount of short-term memory is determined by the formula 7±2, i.e. on average, a person can remember from 5 to 9 words, numbers, numbers, figures, etc. at one time. Short-term memory plays an important role in human life. Thanks to it, the largest amount of information is processed, unnecessary is immediately eliminated and potentially useful remains. As a result, there is no information overload of long-term memory with unnecessary information, since short-term memory acts as an obligatory intermediate storage and filter that passes the necessary, already selected information into long-term memory.

Working memory is a type of memory that manifests itself in the course of performing a certain activity. Working memory serves a specific activity by storing information coming from both short-term and long-term memory.

Intermediate memory ensures the preservation of information during the day, and the time of night sleep is set aside for clearing intermediate memory. Information is generalized and transferred to long-term memory or repressed. At the end of sleep, the intermediate memory is again ready to receive new information. In a person who sleeps less than three hours a day, the intermediate memory does not have time to be cleared, and there is a violation of thought processes.

Long-term memory is capable of retaining information for an almost unlimited period of time. It is of two types:

Long-term memory with conscious access, i.e. a person can recall information at will;

Closed long-term memory, in which, under normal conditions, a person does not have access to information, but only in a state of hypnosis can actualize events, images, experiences that seem to have disappeared from memory forever.

Genetic memory transmits and reproduces information by inheritance, storing it in the genotype. Genetic memory cannot be influenced through training and education.

According to the analyzer prevailing in the processes of memorization, such types of memory are distinguished as visual, auditory, motor, emotional, tactile, olfactory and gustatory.

According to the nature of the participation of the will in the processes of memorization, arbitrary and involuntary memory are distinguished. Involuntary memory is expressed in automatic memorization and reproduction of information, which occurs without much effort on the part of a person, without setting himself a special task for memorization. Involuntarily, material that is of great importance to a person, of interest associated with fascinating and complex mental work, is remembered better. Arbitrary memory is associated with volitional control of the memorization process. By making a conscious effort, repeating the material, you can ensure the transfer of information from short-term memory to long-term memory, not without reason that folk wisdom says that "repetition is the mother of learning."

Recently, the idea of ​​the plurality of memory systems, formed on the basis of data obtained in the study of patients with various brain lesions, as well as in experiments on healthy subjects, has become increasingly important. During the studies, memory systems were found that have different operational characteristics, involved in the acquisition of knowledge of various kinds and carried out by different brain structures.The researchers suggested that the processing of at least two types of information is carried out in the brain separately, and each of these types is also stored separately.The data obtained made it possible to divide memory systems into two large groups: procedural and declarative memory.

Procedural memory is the knowledge of how to act. Procedural memory is thought to develop earlier than declarative memory. Declarative memory provides a clear and accessible account of past individual experiences. Unlike procedural memory, it is explicit, i.e. conscious. Memory for events and facts includes remembering words, faces, etc. The content of declarative memory can be declared.

The memory of people differs in many characteristics: in the speed of memorization, the duration of information storage, the volume and accuracy of memorization. What causes qualitative and quantitative differences in memory?

Firstly, individual differences in memory are associated with the dominance of certain sensory systems in the perception of information: visual, auditory, motor and their various combinations, since in practice we encounter their various combinations. In most people, visual memory dominates, along with which visual-motor, visual-auditory and motor-auditory memory are typical mixtures.

Secondly, those types of memory that are most often used usually reach the greatest development in a person. Professional activity leaves a big imprint on this process. For example, actors have a well-developed memory for faces, scientists have a logical memory, and so on.

Thirdly, memory processes are closely related to the characteristics of a person's personality, his emotional mood, interests and needs, and physical condition.

In an experimental study of memory by such scientists as G. Ebbinghaus, T. Ribot and others, a number of patterns were identified:

Relatively simple events in a person's life that make a particularly strong impression can be remembered immediately firmly and for a long time;

More complex and less interesting events a person can experience dozens of times, but they are not imprinted in memory;

Between the accuracy of reproduction of events and confidence in this accuracy, there is not always an unambiguous relationship;

Repetition of the learned material in a row is less productive for its memorization than repetition after certain periods of time, for example, after several days or hours;

When memorizing a long row, its beginning and end are best reproduced from memory (“edge effect”);

What a person is especially interested in is remembered without any difficulty. This regularity manifests itself especially clearly in mature years;

Any new impression received by a person does not remain isolated in his memory. Remembered in one form, it may change somewhat over time, entering into an associative relationship with other impressions, influencing them and, in turn, changing under their influence.

Memory loss is called amnesia, which can be short-term or long-term loss of various types of memory. There are different types of amnesia: retrograde, anterograde and progressive. With retrograde amnesia, memory for recent events is mainly affected, but memories are usually preserved for those events that took place in the distant past. With anterograde amnesia, both short-term and long-term memory are preserved, but the ability to enter new information into long-term memory suffers. Progressive amnesia is manifested in the gradual deterioration of memory up to its complete loss.

The well-known researcher of memory disorders T. Ribot (1839-1916) showed that our more or less constant idea of ​​ourselves at any given moment of time is supported by memory and as soon as it gets into a disorder, a person’s idea of ​​himself immediately changes.

Memory is closely connected not only with the physical state of a person, but also with his personality, and in such a way that pathological changes in personality are almost always accompanied by memory impairment.

A person's memory is lost and restored according to the same law: in case of memory loss, the most complex and recently received impressions suffer first; when restoring memory, the opposite is true - the simplest and oldest memories are restored first, and then the most complex and recent ones.

Hello dear blog readers! Memory is a type of mental activity and one of the mental functions, the work of which resembles the work of a computer, because first the information is encoded, then stored, and then, if necessary, the desired file is opened. And today I will talk about what types of memory a person has, so that you know how to use them in order to effectively memorize and manage information.

Introduction

To be efficient, conscious, feel good both physically and emotionally, we need a good memory. After all, how will we fulfill our duties if we forget a lot of things? For development and advancement, we simply need to be able not only to capture information in different ways, but also to store it in order to use it at the right time. Otherwise, we would be like babies, or, according to the myth, like fish, who can only remember something for 3-4 seconds. It has many faces, so be sure to add an adjective that explains its direction and type, and is also unique, because, in fact, with its help we can connect the past, present and future together.

Classification

Their characteristics are determined by the following features:

By the nature of mental activity

1. Figurative

This is the process of memorizing, reproducing and saving images and ideas directly and has the following types:

  • Visual - who is well developed, usually they have no problems with imagination. Necessary for people with a creative profession, for example, artists, composers ...
  • Auditory - memorization of sounds. When the level is low, it becomes difficult to learn foreign languages ​​and generally perceive material by ear.
  • Taste
  • Tactile
  • Olfactory

The last 3 types are necessary only to satisfy natural, biological needs (you can read about them). They should be emphasized only by people whose profession is directly related to them, for example, tasters or perfumers.

There is an interesting fact, studies were conducted during the educational process, during which it was revealed that the number of those students who listened to the lecture and could retell it the next day was only 10%. At the same time, the percentage increased to 30 with independent reading, when vision was involved. If they also repeated it, having reproduced it to someone, then the figure was already 50%. And the practical development of the material, in order to consolidate it in the form of a skill, reached 90% success.

2.Motor

This is an opportunity to memorize and reproduce movements. In a child, it appears before the rest. With its help, he learns to know the world and develop. Thanks to her, we, having not practiced cycling for 15 years, sit down, are afraid, and at the same time pedal confidently, because the body remembers how it is done.

3. Emotional

In fact, the most reliable, and already manifests itself in six-month-old babies who rejoice at the approach of pleasant, close people and cry if someone who once scared and so on appears. The psyche is so arranged that pleasant moments are postponed more reliably than negative ones. But there are people who are called touchy, due to the fact that they have the opposite.

4. Verbal - logical

Attention is paid to words, thoughts, as well as logic. I talked about this type of thinking and that it is inherent only to man in an article. It is easier for such people to memorize formulas, terms, read books ... Appears in a child already at the age of 3-4 years and worsens with age. May be:

  • Mechanical - when you have to memorize some set of words, or simply by repeating the text, not being included in its meaning.
  • Logical - when you have to involve associations or previously studied terms.

By the duration of the preservation of the material


  1. Instantaneous - retains material that has been received by the senses without processing it.
  2. Short-term, is working, and stores data for 20 seconds, but in the future it will be possible to reproduce them. It is very valuable for us, as it makes it possible to process and weed out unnecessary material. A prerequisite for memorization is paying attention. For example, you could look at your watch many times, but if you ask a question about what kind of numbers are there, Arabic or Roman, you will find it difficult to answer until you specifically focus on this nuance. Also, the storage duration depends on the volume, and when the short-term memory is full, new data replaces the old ones, which are permanently deleted. Have you ever met someone and then couldn't remember the name? Exactly. But, if this name is important to you, you can repeat it several times, and it will be postponed to the next type.
  3. Operational. A certain period of data storage is set, which are deleted after the task execution. Remember how it used to be during your student days, when you were preparing for an exam overnight, and after passing it, it was as if amnesia set in?
  4. Long-term. Its features lie in the fact that it does not start its work immediately, but after some time has passed. In addition, data is more securely fixed if it is frequently played back.

By degree of awareness

  • Implicit - arises without the participation of consciousness. For example, a person learns the values ​​of society and the family, not quite understanding how he behaves and what principles he is guided by in life. That is, he does not realize the knowledge that he has.
  • Explicit - respectively, the conscious use of one's knowledge.

By the nature of the participation of the will

  1. Arbitrary - we are trying to remember something, applying efforts, diligence.
  2. Involuntary - automatically, sometimes without paying attention. Have you ever been in a situation where you wondered how you know about something? And all because they once became interested in something, but did not attach much importance, and the material was postponed.

From research goals


  • Genetic - thanks to it we have instincts, reflexes ...
  • Episodic - stores parts of information, fixing the situation in which it was received. To make it clearer, let me give you an example. You find yourself in a new city, and while walking, you pay attention to shops, sellers, signs, which you will then navigate when returning back so as not to get lost.
  • Reproductive is the reproduction of something by remembering. For example, an artist paints a portrait of a girl who impressed him on the bus.
  • Reconstructive - restores the original form of something. The woman, having lost the recipe, is trying to remember what and in what order to put the products in the borscht.
  • Associative - when we establish connections in order to reproduce the necessary information. For example, when talking to a friend who tells you that she was at a new restaurant and had a wonderful dessert, it occurs to you that you forgot to buy cookies for tea.
  • Autobiographical - these are events from life that are held in the head and manifested with the help of memories.

Mechanisms

I will give here the main processes that everyone has to go through daily:

  1. Memorization is a process in which the new is fixed by linking it with the old, already acquired. Is selective.
  2. Preservation - processing and retention of the necessary data.
  3. Playback is the retrieval of stored information.
  4. Forgetting is getting rid of what is not needed, or what has not been used for a very long time. It can be both positive when, for example, it erases events that caused discomfort, prevented moving forward, or simply overloaded. And also, negative ones, when useful and necessary data are erased in whole blocks, and it becomes necessary to study them back.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I would like to say that not only psychology pays attention to these complex processes in order to study the nature and orientation of the personality, but also physiology with biochemistry explore the formation of nerve connections and changes in the composition of our RNA (ribonucleic acid).

You can read about how to develop your memory in the article: "".

And in general, I recommend training your memory every day in order to keep your brain in good shape and keep your activity in old age. Here are the best courses, on the territory of Russia on the development of memory.

That's all, dear readers! Subscribe to the blog so as not to miss interesting recommendations on how to pump and improve your memory. I wish you success!


Many people underestimate the importance for self-development and argue like this: “Why train memory if the main thing is not the amount of memorized material, but its quality.” This is true, but studies show that as you improve your memory, you develop many different abilities: creative thinking, the ability to quickly operate with incoming information, the ability to keep several options in mind in order to choose the best, and much more. Memory is not about memorizing a large amount of material, it is a property of the psyche, which, when developed, has a positive effect on a person's cognitive abilities. If you want to increase these abilities and upgrade your thinking, go through.

In this article, we will not only look at all types of memory, but also show what value each of them has.

Psychologists classify memory in different ways:

  • By time;
  • By the senses;
  • By the nature of the goals of the activity.

Types of memory by time

Instant

It is associated with the retention of a complete and accurate picture of the newly perceived information. This type of memory is characterized not by the processing of the information received (it does not do this), but by the direct reflection of information by the senses. It is rather an image that we get from a collision with some event. The duration of instant memory is from 0.1 to 0.5 seconds.

short-term

This is the kind of memory that we often use in dialogue or discussion. Its duration is up to 20 seconds. The one who has it developed retains in short-term memory all the most important things that happened during this period, it is rather a generalized image of what was perceived. It also has such an important property as volume. For most people, it varies from 5 to 9 units of information. It can be increased: with this approach, a person is very closely following what is happening and is able to notice more details. Sherlock Holmes probably had a short-term memory of more than ten. Want to be like Holmes, .

Operational

This is a type of memory in which a person sets himself to store information for a certain period of time - from a few seconds to several days. This usually happens when a person needs to work on some project, book or term paper: that is, a specific task is set that needs to be solved. As in the case of a computer shutdown, as in the case of a person, RAM can be erased after the task has been solved. However, it can also move into long-term memory.

When you solve a logical problem and you need to keep several conditions in mind, then you use RAM.

long-term

This is a memory that allows you to store information for an unlimited period. It all depends on the person himself and how much he needs it. The more he repeats information, the more it imprints. This requires a developed mindset and willpower. That is why memory training is needed not only for memorization: in parallel with it, extremely important abilities are developed.

genetic

This memory is stored in the genotype and is inherited. We cannot influence it, because it is outside the zone of our influence - in the genes.

Types of memory by sense organs

figurative

This memory is responsible for remembering sights, smells, tastes and sounds. It is not difficult to guess which sense organs are developed by artists, sommeliers, cooks and musicians. However, image memory is fairly easy to develop because we always have the tools to practice at hand.

Verbal-logical

This is the memorization and reproduction of our thoughts. We also remember the content of the film, conversations, songs.

Memory is not just called verbal-logical. This type of memory manifests itself in three cases:

  1. Only the meaning of the information is remembered.
  2. Not only the meaning of information is remembered, but also the literal verbal expression of thoughts.
  3. The literal verbal expression of thoughts is remembered, but not the meaning.

It must have happened to everyone when we memorized the text verbatim, but could not retell it in our own words. Or they did not remember the text, but could reproduce the essence.

Motor

This memory plays a key role for athletes and people who, as part of their profession, must memorize a certain sequence of movements. For example, actors not only learn to get used to the role in order to look truthful on stage, but also sign up for dances - the more developed the motor memory, the easier it is to improvise and perform non-standard movements.

emotional

This memory is associated with experiences, both positive and negative. With her help, both phobias and a level are formed. The higher the emotional intensity, the better the person will remember the experience. This memory is often used to memorize foreign words, trying to emotionally "attach" their experiences to the word being studied.

By the nature of the objectives of the activity

Free

We set ourselves the task of remembering information, prepare for it, pay conscious attention to the source of information and make every effort of will.

involuntary

Such memorization occurs automatically, without human effort. Involuntary memory can be turned both for harm and for good. In the first case, a person can be inspired by something by manipulating him. In the second, with the help of a game or a work of art, convey an important idea that will be remembered for a long time only because the information bypassed the consciousness and penetrated into the subconscious.

As we can see, we do not need memory at all in order to remember everything that happens around us. There are a variety of types of memory, and those who learn how to manage them correctly can achieve many goals.

We wish you good luck!

The ability to memorize, store and reproduce information is one of the key people, the degree of development of which largely determines what what he can achieve in life.

There is an extensive number of types of memory in psychology, the main of which are motor memory, visual, auditory, figurative, verbal-logical. Classification and purpose different types of memory will be given in the article.

What is memory?

In short, then memory- this is the ability to remember, store and reproduce information, refers to cognitive functions.

Thanks to memory, a person has the opportunity gain experience, improve skills, learn about the world around.

There is memory in its various manifestations, but it is most perfect in humans.

Every person has a different memory. The degree of memory development depends on conditions such as:


Therefore, each person, to one degree or another, can influence his ability to memorize information, store and reproduce it.

  • memorization;
  • preservation;
  • reproduction;
  • forgetting.

Best of all, a person remembers what he considers significant for himself and what he will use regularly. If he constantly uses certain skills and abilities, the information associated with them will be remembered very easily.

What kinds exist?

What is a person's memory?

Grounds for classifying the types of human memory - table:

The memory structure consists of the following 3 levels:


As an additional level, tertiary memory.

It is part of long-term memory and is designed to permanently store information. It contains, for example, words from a language that a person uses every day.

Also exists operational or, in other words, working memory. It is similar to short-term, but there are still differences between them.

Like a computer's RAM, this memory is designed to remember and interact with short pieces of information needed to perform life's tasks in the "here and now" mode.

There are several additional types of sensory memory:

Types of memory according to the method of memorization:

Name Description
Mechanical Information is assimilated in the form in which it was provided, no adjustments are made to it, and a person practically does not analyze it and applies it in its original state. For example, a student who hurriedly prepares for a session and laboriously memorizes a summary, without thinking about the content and thinking only about how to pass the exam quickly and painlessly, uses mainly mechanical memory. In most cases, a vast amount of information that has not been properly analyzed and processed is quickly forgotten. At the same time, mechanical memory is an important tool in cases where you need to remember words in their correct form, so it is actively involved in learning new languages.
logical The exact opposite of verbal: memorization is largely based on analysis A person analyzes information, creates strong associative chains, connects it with his past experience, as a result, information is remembered better and more reliably. If, for example, we take another student who studied diligently throughout the semester, analyzed every scrap of information issued by the teacher, and used them in practical work, then it is obvious that he used logical memory. If he needs to give out information, it will look processed, but the main information will be preserved and may even be multiplied.

Memory, in which the sense organs are involved, is divided into:


Depending on the presence or absence of the purpose of memorization, there are:

According to the level of development, memory is divided into:

  1. Motor (motor). As mentioned earlier, motor memory is the ability to remember and reproduce certain movements. This type of memory develops first in humans Therefore, it is important for parents to pay enough attention to the development of motor skills of a small child.
  2. Emotional. Information that is closely associated with any vivid emotions (both positive and negative) is stored for a long time in a person precisely thanks to emotional memory.

    According to research, epinephrine and norepinephrine are involved in the processes of memory formation.

  3. figurative. This is the ability to memorize, preserve and reproduce images that are closely related to the senses. For example, the ability to remember and reproduce your favorite song in your head is associated with figurative memory.
  4. Verbal-logical. The highest kind of memory closely related to verbal-logical thinking. This is the ability to remember words and thoughts. Also called semantic.

genetic memory- this is a special type of memory that has no direct relation to the processes of storing, storing and reproducing information.

This definition is used to refer to the genetically determined inclinations of a person, the formats of his behavior.

These features of behavior are not conscious and are reproduced unconsciously.

Depending on the means, memory is divided into:

  1. mediated. If a person has analyzed and combined new information with previously acquired through logical, associative connections, this is called mediated memory.
  2. Direct. It is the ability to capture and retain a small amount of information for a short period of time. Features of immediate memory are taken into account when determining the optimal length of phrases in the material, in test tasks.

Also exists social memory- the ability to memorize information related to surrounding people. A person remembers their faces, voices, information from life, and this gives him the opportunity to comfortably interact with them.

Spatial memory allows a person to easily find the way to familiar objects, navigate in a familiar space.

Varieties of forgetting:

  1. Complete., and they cannot be restored without re-examination.
  2. Incomplete. A person remembers some information, but they are either not voluminous enough or not accurate enough.

Varieties of playback:

  1. Arbitrary. A person makes efforts to remember information, looking for logical connections.
  2. Involuntary. Information appears in the head by itself, usually due to the appearance of some kind of stimulus (word, smell, sound). For example, seeing a friend, a person can automatically remember the event that is associated with him. Or, upon hearing a piece of a song, he may involuntarily recall the circumstances in which he heard it before.

To the forms of memory does not include intuitive memory.

How to determine the type?

Each person has varieties of memory that are more developed than others. Usually, the high development of certain types of memory is associated with the activity in which he is engaged (musician, dancer, artist), or with his features (lack of vision, hearing).

In psychology, there are many tests that allow a person to understand what type of memory he has most developed.

Also, psychological tests provide an opportunity time to identify violations of certain types of memory, which may indicate the presence of somatic or mental pathologies.

The most effective are tests in which a person does not just answer questions in the style of “How easy is it for you to memorize numbers?”, But directly tests your own memory: remembers the words you read or heard, draws a picture from memory, and so on.

Tests created Alexander Luria, the founder of neuropsychology, are best suited to determine the state of different types of memory.

One of the most popular is known as "10 Words" and can be used to test memory even in children.

So that memory does not deteriorate for a long time, it is important to give the brain as much material as possible to remember. This will not only save memory, but also prevent the development of Alzheimer's syndrome.

About the types of memory in this video:

It is the most important element of its activity. Throughout a person's life, all his impressions and knowledge are recorded in memory. Its types help to better assimilate information of a certain nature. The manifestations of memory are extremely multifaceted and can be divided into several main categories. Different types of human memory are characterized by different features.

Types of memory for mental activity

According to the nature of mental activity, the following types of memory are distinguished.

motor memory provides a person with the memorization of his movements. It underlies the formation of many practical and labor skills. In particular, these include walking, the ability to write, use various tools when working. In some cases, this type of memory must be developed especially well for successful professional activity, for example, among athletes or ballet dancers.

emotional memory is a memory of previously experienced emotions and feelings. Experiences stored in memory become the reason for the emergence of associations and actions based on them in the event that a similar or similar situation arises again.

figurative memory characterized by memorizing can be pictures of nature, sounds, smells. As a rule, visual and auditory memory play a leading role in human life and are best developed. Other types of this memory are much less developed in many people, but there are exceptions, most often associated with the olfactory memory of the creators of perfumes or the taste of tasters far exceed the usual level. A good tactile memory is often found in the blind. There are also people who have the ability to retain in memory the smallest details of the objects they see for some time.

Verbal-logical memory in its content represents human thoughts based on language. There are two types of such memory. In the first case, the main meaning is better remembered without an emphasis on details, while in the second case, memorization is more literal.

Types of memory according to the goals of the activity

There are also types of memory according to the nature of the goals of the activity.

involuntary memory differs in that it lacks the very purpose of memorization. It has been established that this type of memory is more developed in children, and noticeably weakens with age. An interesting feature is that in this case the information is very often remembered reliably, although there is no such purpose.

Arbitrary memory improves with age, which is largely facilitated by the use of special memorization techniques and targeted training.

Memory is divided into types and according to the duration of storage of the material.

sensory memory is characterized by the fact that all processes proceed at the level of receptors, and information is generally stored for no more than half a second. If the information is of interest to the brain, then it is delayed. Otherwise, it is erased completely and completely.

short term memory comes into play when the information is delayed more than one second. Within about 20 seconds, it is processed in order to determine its degree of importance. If the brain recognizes it as worthy of attention, then the elements of information (numbers, words, names of objects, images) are transmitted further. The amount of short-term memory is very small, at the same time it can contain no more than five to nine elements. It is from this quantity that selection occurs, and the rest is irretrievably lost.

long term memory is something like an archive storage of unlimited capacity, where information received from short-term memory is classified, encoded and stored for long-term storage.

This is the most important function of the body, allowing a person to navigate in the ocean of information surrounding him.