Question

Match the type of memory with its definition: 1\. Long-term memory 2\. Short-term memory 3\. Sensory memory a. Holds information 15 to 25 seconds. b. Stores information on a relatively permanent basis. c. Direct representation of a stimulus.

Short answer

1b, 2a, 3c. Long-term memory stores information on a relatively permanent basis, short-term memory holds information for 15 to 25 seconds, and sensory memory is a direct representation of a stimulus.

Step-by-step solution

Identifying the Definitions of the Memory Types

First, familiarize yourself with the basic characteristics of the three types of memory: Long-term memory, Short-term memory, and Sensory memory. Long-Term Memory (LTM) holds information for a longer period of time, Short-Term Memory (STM) holds small amounts of information for a short period, and Sensory Memory is the shortest term memory that holds sensory information.

Matching the Types of Memories with Definitions

Next, match each type of memory with the proper definition based on their characteristics. From the definitions given, we can see that 'a. Holds information 15 to 25 seconds' refers to the short-lived period in which STM operates. 'b. Stores information on a relatively permanent basis' describes LTM, where memories can last for an extended period. 'c. Direct representation of a stimulus' refers to Sensory Memory, which is the first stage in memory processing and holds an exact copy of the incoming information.

Confirmation of the Answers

Finally, verify the matches made. Short-term memory matches with option 'a', long-term memory with option 'b', and sensory memory with option 'c'

Key concepts

Long-term Memory

Long-term memory (LTM) is like a vast library stored in our brains. It holds information for much longer periods than other memory types. This makes it essential for remembering things like past experiences or learned knowledge.

Long-term memory can store an immense amount of information. Unlike short-term memory, it can retain things for years or even a lifetime. This is why we can recall childhood memories or things we learned in school even after many years.

• Declarative Memory: This handles facts and events. It is further divided into episodic memory (personal experiences) and semantic memory (general knowledge and facts).
• Procedural Memory: This type includes memories of how to perform tasks. Think about how you remember riding a bike — the process becomes almost automatic over time.

Long-term memory is not fresh and instant like other memory types. Instead, it builds slowly, often strengthened by repetition and association.

Short-term Memory

Short-term memory (STM) is the mind's notepad. It allows us to hold bits of information temporarily, usually for about 15 to 25 seconds. This crucial memory type is essential for tasks where you need to use information quickly.

In everyday life, you use short-term memory when remembering a phone number just long enough to dial it. STM doesn't support detailed long narratives but efficiently supports quick and simple tasks.

• This memory is limited in capacity. Typically, it can hold around 7 items at a time, often compared to juggling items in the air.
• Information here needs to be rehearsed to be transferred to long-term memory; otherwise, it's easily lost.

Short-term memory acts as a bridge between sensory perceptions and long-term storage, crucial for processing information necessary for daily interactions and decision making.

Sensory Memory

Sensory memory is the first stop in processing incoming stimuli. It captures immediate sensory input from our environment for a very brief period, typically lasting less than a second.

Each sense has its own sensory memory, such as iconic memory for vision and echoic memory for hearing. The main purpose of sensory memory is to provide an exact copy of what enters our senses, giving us time to process it further.

• Iconic Memory: Visual information, like a flash of a scene you saw for an instant.
• Echoic Memory: Auditory information, like holding onto the end of a spoken sentence long enough to understand it.

Because of its fleeting nature, sensory memory seamlessly blends into the short-term and long-term systems if the information is selected for further processing.