Short-Term, Long-Term Memory

Working Memory:

The cognitive mechanism known as working memory is in charge of momentarily storing and modifying data required for various cognitive tasks. In this place, ideas and concepts are actively processed in the mind. Working memory is necessary for problem-solving, decision-making, and language understanding since it can temporarily store pertinent knowledge. Working memory is not simply where you store information; it is also where you actively manipulate and practice it.

Information Capacity of Working Memory:

There is a limit to how much information working memory can store, as cognitive psychologists have found. One significant idea, known as Miller’s Law, suggests that the capacity is approximately seven items (plus or minus two). It was put forth by George A. Miller (Cowan, 2019). However, recent research has demonstrated that this number is subject to variation based on factors such as the complexity of the information and individual differences. For example, chunking—organizing information into meaningful pieces—can increase working memory capacity.

Long-Term Memory:

Long-term memory permits knowledge to be remembered for minutes to lifetimes. It has three groups and several times the capacity of working memory. Semantic memory is recollecting facts and other general knowledge (Cowan, 2019). Episodic memory is based on personal experiences and functions as an autobiographical chronology. The mental process of recalling how to perform particular activities is called “procedural memory.” This classification draws attention to how long-term memory takes in and arranges information, which is why it is crucial in shaping an individual’s experiences, knowledge, and acquired abilities over time.

Real-World Examples:

1. • Semantic Memory: Knowing that Paris is the capital of France.
   • Episodic Memory: Recalling the details of a specific birthday celebration.
   • Procedural Memory: Riding a bike or playing a musical instrument.

Flashbulb Memory:

A person’s vivid and precise recollection of the first time they heard startling, transformative, or emotionally charged news is commonly called a “flashbulb” memory. These memories act as mental snapshots, capturing the scene and the emotions associated with the encounter forever (Van Houdt et al., 2020). “Flashbulb memories” are defined as recollections that suddenly spring to mind and are characterized by vividness and clarity.

The validity of these “flashbulb memories” has been the subject of much psychological discussion. Research shows that even though flashbulb memories are intensely emotional and vivid, their specifics can change over time. Even though individuals may be relatively certain of the accuracy of their memories, rehearsing, talking to others, and the emotional significance attached to the experience can all influence how the memory trace develops (Van Houdt et al., 2020). This process disproves the original theory that a flashbulb memory’s authenticity was assured by the strength of the emotion associated with it and emphasizes how dynamic and complex human memory is.

Research Findings from Cognitive Psychology:

1. • A classic study by Cowan, N. (2019) proposed that flashbulb memories resist forgetting. However, subsequent research has shown that, like other memories, flashbulb memories can change over time.
   • Van Houdt, G., Mosquera, C., & Nápoles, G. (2020) conducted a study after the Challenger space shuttle disaster. He found that participants’ flashbulb memories were often inaccurate compared to their initial reports shortly after the event.

In conclusion, working memory is a dynamic cognitive system that processes short-term information. Its limited capacity for active manipulation makes it such. Long-term memory, conversely, comprises procedural, episodic, and semantic memories and is used to store knowledge for a long time. Bright and intense recollections, sometimes known as flashbulb memories, are associated with significant events, though several circumstances can skew them. Cognitive psychology research has shed light on the functionality and workings of different memory systems, challenging certain preconceived notions and highlighting how flexible and dynamic human memory is.

References

Cowan, N. (2019). Short-term memory based on activated long-term memory: A review in response to Norris (2017).

Van Houdt, G., Mosquera, C., & Nápoles, G. (2020). A review of the extended short-term memory model. Artificial Intelligence Review, 53, 5929-5955.