Understanding the Memory Hierarchy: From Sensory to Long-Term Memory and Its Organization

the organization of long-term memory

episodic and semantic memoryexplicit and implicit memorythe biological basis of long-term memory:human anterograde amnesiathe roles of the hippocampus and basal gangliaexplicit memory in animals

Long-term memory is organized in a hierarchical system consisting of different types of memory stores. The organization is as follows:

1. Sensory Memory: Sensory memory is the first level of the memory processing hierarchy. It is the shortest-term storage of information. Sensory memory lasts only a few seconds, and its purpose is to give the brain time to determine whether the information coming in is important enough to be stored in long-term memory.

2. Short-term Memory: Short-term memory, also known as working memory, is the second level of memory processing. Its capacity is limited, and the information stored in short-term memory lasts for a few seconds to a minute. Short-term memory is responsible for holding information that is currently being used or processed.

3. Long-term Memory: Long-term memory is the final stage of the memory processing hierarchy. It has an unlimited capacity and the information stored in long-term memory can last for a lifetime depending on the strength of the memories. Long-term memory is divided into two parts:

a. Declarative Memory: Declarative memory is the conscious retrieval of facts and events that we can describe verbally. It is further divided into semantic memory (general knowledge and facts about the world) and episodic memory (personal experiences and events).

b. Non-declarative Memory: Non-declarative memory is the unconscious retrieval of skills and habits that are difficult to describe verbally. It includes procedural memory (skills and procedures) and priming (repetitive exposure to a stimulus makes it easier to recognize or respond to it in the future).

Overall, the organization of long-term memory involves the transfer of information from short-term memory to long-term memory through consolidation. This involves a process of strengthening the connections between neurons in the brain, allowing for the formation and storage of memories.

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