MEMORY

systems
Alexis Pérez Bellido

Basic Psychology
Department
Memory systems

Objectives:

• What is memory?

• Why do we need memory?

• Clive Wearing case documentary

• Human Memory systems

Memory systems

Memory is:

• the consequence of learning.

• the capacity to store, retain, and

subsequently retrieve information. This
encompasses several key processes:
1. Encoding: Transforming sensory input into a
neural representation that can be stored.
2. Storage: Maintaining the encoded information
over time.
3. Retrieval: Accessing and using the stored
 Memory systems

Memory relevance

Know to avoid or find certain stimul

Build a personal identity

Share a common social

experiences (for the bad
and the good) Plan in the future
Memory systems

When memory fails…

CLIVE WEARING CASE

Memory systems
Memory systems

Clive Wearing

Given Clive’s inability to retain new

memories, how does this affect his
identity? Is he the same person he was
before his amnesia? How would Clive Wearing’s life
and well-being be different if he
were living today, with more
advanced technology and
treatment?
Is Clive’s experience of "living in
the moment" a blessing or a
curse?
 Memory systems

Clive Wearing case

Does Clive Wearing’s case tell us
something about the memory
systems?

• Can he remember past

events (previous to the
disease)?

• Can he form new

memories?
 Memory systems

Henry Molaison (H.M.) case

After the surgery H.M.:
• could not form new memories
(severe anterograde amnesia)
Surgery
in 1953 • could not remember most
events in the one- to two-year
period before surgery, nor
some events up to 11 years
before, meaning that his
amnesia was temporally
graded (moderate retrograde
amnesia).

• His intelligence was preserved

and he could maintain
Memory systems

Conclusions

What can we learn from these two

clinical cases?
They are able to maintain “normal” There are different memory syste
conversations (some kind of memory is
preserved)
The hippocampus might be
Affecting the hippocampus affects more
more related with encoding
memory formation than memory
information rather than
recovery
storing information
Recent memories to the Formation of new memories
hippocampal lesion are lost. might require hippocampus
during some time (but later
become independent).
Memory systems

Cognitivism models that propose the existence of

multiple memory systems

1. Multi-store model (Atkinson and Shiffrin, 1965)

2. Multi-component model (Baddeley and Hitch, 1974)

3. Episodic-Semantic memory model (Tulving, 1972)

4. Neurobiological model of memory ?

Memory models

Multi-store model
Atkinson–Shiffrin (1968)

require require
hippocampus hippocampus
during some time during some time

Linear Process:
Information flows in a linear sequence from sensory memory to
STM and then to LTM. This process is often compared to a
computer’s information processing system, involving input,
processing, and output
Memory models

Multi-store model Cognitivist perspective (the computer

Atkinson–Shiffrin (1968) metaphor):
Copies of the information are transferred between stores.
Sensory memory Short-term memory Long-term memory
(Input Keyboard) (RAM memory) (Hard drive storage)
Encoding
Attention

Retrieval

Behavior
(Output)
Memory models

Multi-store model
Atkinson–Shiffrin (1968)

Sensory Memory:
1.Duration: Very brief, typically ¼ to Iconic: Visual stimuli
½ second.
2.Capacity: Large, encompassing all Echoic: Auditory stimuli
sensory experiences.
3.Modality: Sense-specific (e.g.,
Memory systems

Sensory memory
Echoic Memory Iconic Memory
Duration: Typically lasts about 3 Duration: Usually lasts less
to 4 seconds. than a second.
Examples: When someone Examples: When you quickly
speaks to you, your echoic glance at an object and then
memory holds onto the sounds of close your eyes, the brief
their words just long enough for image that lingers in your mind
your brain to process them into is due to iconic memory.
meaningful language.
Sensory memory act as a buffer, giving our brains a moment to
interpret sensory information before it either fades away or gets
transferred to short-term memory.
Memory systems

Sperling’s partial report method (Testing the iconic memory)

Memory systems

Sperling partial report method (Testing the iconic memory)

Memory systems

Sperling partial report method (Testing the iconic memory)

Memory systems

Sperling partial report method (Testing the iconic memory)

Memory systems

Sensory memory
Sperling demonstrated that sensory memory does not have a limit, but decays very fast
Memory systems

Multi-store model
Atkinson–Shiffrin (1968)

Short-Term Memory (STM):

1.Duration: About 15-30 seconds without
rehearsal.
2.Capacity: Limited, around 7±2 items.
3.Format: Visual and auditory.
 Memory systems

Short term memory

Capacity limits of short-term memory

On average, people can

maintain in memory ~7
items

On average, people can

maintain in memory ~7
CHUNKS (Miller, 1956)
Wechsler Digit Span Test
 Memory systems

Short term memory

Capacity limits of short-term memory

A chunk is a collection of basic

units that are strongly associated On average, people can
with one another, and have been maintain in memory ~7
grouped together and stored in a CHUNKS
person's memory.

USAKGBFBICIA 12 units
USA KGB FBI CIA 4 chunks
 Memory systems

Short term memory

What is the function of short-term memory?

A previous stage before

information entering into
long-term memory?into meaningful chunks is only possible if
Segmenting information
there are previous representations in memory. Long-term memory
interacts and contributes to short-term memory.

Perhaps short-term memory is information stored

in long-term memory that is pre-activated through
attention?
Patients that have affected long-term memory (Clive Wearing) do not
have affected short-term memory in a significant way…
 Memory systems

Short term memory

What is the function of short-term memory?

11 = 10 + 1
32
32 * 10 = 320
32
320 + 32 = 352

It is important for reasoning and the guidance

of decision-making and behavior.
 Memory systems

Short term memory

Multi-store model (Atkinson & Shiffrin)

reconceptualization

Baddeley & Hitch

Working memory
Multi-component model (Baddeley & Hitch, 1976)

Working memory “refers to a system, or a set of processes, holding

mental representations temporarily available for use in thought and
action. From this perspective the STM (Short-Term Memory):

1. It is a system that performs two types of functions: storing and

processing information.
2. Has two independent stores for visual and phonetic information.
3. It is a limited resource system that must be controlled by a central
 Memory systems

Short term memory: Working memory

Multi-component model (Baddeley & Hitch, 1976)

Baddeley & Hitch

The visuospatial sketchpad deals with visual and

spatial information.

This component is crucial for tasks that require

visual imagery, understanding spatial
relationships, and even some aspects of
problem-solving.
 Memory systems

Short term memory: Working memory

Multi-component model (Baddeley & Hitch, 1976)

Baddeley & Hitch

Allows us to mentally repeat or rehearse

information to keep it in memory for longer
periods (e.g., silently repeating a phone number
Do the same
with this new
to remember it).
sequence while
you sub vocally The phonological loop is especially important for
repeat ”rabbit”
language learning, verbal comprehension, and
tasks involving speech-based information.
 Memory systems

Short term memory: Working memory

Multi-component model (Baddeley & Hitch, 1976)

Baddeley & Hitch

BL A A
BL A B L A BL A BL A B L A B L
A
BL
The phonological loop and
the visuospatial sketchpad
are generally considered
independent systems.

Background speech interferes in a larger extend when

you are performing a task that involves working with
 Memory systems

Short term memory: Working memory

Multi-component model (Baddeley & Hitch, 1976)

Baddeley & Hitch

Attention Control:
It helps allocate cognitive resources to the most important tasks at hand.

Task-Switching (Cognitive Flexibility):

The central executive enables switching between different tasks or
cognitive processes.

Working Memory Updating:

Adding new information and discarding irrelevant or outdated content from
working memory.
 Memory systems

Short term memory: Working memory

Multi-component model (Baddeley & Hitch, 1976)

Baddeley & Hitch

Inhibition:
The central executive helps suppress inappropriate or irrelevant
responses or distractions.

Coordination of Subsystems:
It coordinates the activity of the phonological loop and the
visuospatial sketchpad.

Goal Management:
The central executive sets, monitors, and adjusts goals. It ensures that
 Memory systems

Short term memory: Working memory

Neural basis of the multi-component model

Baddeley & Hitch

Frontal regions:
Central executive system

Phonological loop:
Auditory cortex, Broca's
and Wernicke's areas.

Visual-spatial sketchpad:
Dorsal and Ventral
pathways
Memory models

Multi-store model
Atkinson–Shiffrin (1968)

Long-Term Memory (LTM): Information that is stored here can

1.Duration: Potentially unlimited. be "copied" and transferred to the
2.Capacity: Vast, potentially short-term store where it can be
unlimited. attended to and manipulated
3.Format: Mainly semantic (meaning-
based) but can also include visual
and acoustic.
 Memory systems

Long term memory

Non-declarative memory
Declarative memory

Where is the character “K”?

How to cook a ”tortilla de patata”?

Larry Squire
 Memory systems

Long term memory

Declarative memory Non-declarative memory

• Conscious Awareness: Declarative • Unconscious Expression: Non-

memories can be consciously declarative memories are
recalled and verbalized. expressed through behavior or
performance, without conscious
awareness or verbal recall.
• Flexible and Contextual: Declarative • Rigid and Context-Specific: Non-
memories are flexible and can be declarative memories are often
applied to different contexts. more rigid and tied to the specific
context in which they were
acquired. They are less flexible and
• Vulnerable to Interference: may not transfer easily to new
Declarative memories can be more • situations.
Resistant to Interference: Non-
easily disrupted or interfered with, declarative memories are generally
especially during the initial encoding more resistant to disruption or
and consolidation stages. interference, as they are less
 Memory systems

Long term memory

Was the non-declarative memories of HM and CW preserved?

H.M. had reasonable learning

ability and memory for non-
declarative tasks (e.g., mirror
tracing; the pursuit rotor;
perceptual identification aided
by priming).

There are different long term memory systems

that are supported by different neural networks.
 Memory systems

Long term memory taxonomy

Declarative memories
initially rely on the
hippocampus for
encoding and
consolidation.

Non-declarative
memories rely on
various brain regions,
such as the basal
ganglia, cerebellum,
and primary sensory
cortices, depending on
the specific type of
memory.
 Memory systems

Non declarative memory

Procedural memory

Procedural memory is the memory of how to

perform certain actions or skills.
 Memory systems

Non declarative memory

Repetition priming

Priming is a non-conscious form of memory in which

exposure to a stimulus influences the response to a later
stimulus, even if the person is not aware of the initial
exposure.
 Memory systems

Declarative memory
Semantic memory Episodic memory
• What is an eagle? • What did you eat
• In which year did the yesterday for lunch?
French revolution • What happen in the
occurred? movie Dune?
• What are the colors of • How did that car
the rainbow? accident happen?

Patients could retain general

knowledge while losing personal
memories.
 Memory systems

Declarative memory
There are two types of declarative memories

Endel Tulving (1927)

Episodic Memory: This type of

memory involves the recall of
personal experiences and specific
events, including details like time,
place, and emotions associated with
those events (For example,
remembering your last birthday party
or aEpisodic
recentmemories
vacation)
are constrained to
events that contain spatiotemporal
characteristics.
 Memory systems

Declarative memory
There are two types of declarative memories

Endel Tulving (1927)

Semantic Memory: This refers

to general knowledge and facts
about the world that are not
linked to specific experiences (For
instance, knowing that Paris is the
capital of France or that the sky is
blue).
Semantic memories do not encode
spatiotemporal details about previous
experiences.
 Memory systems

Declarative memory
What is the role of the hippocampus in all this?

• Not really, memories are store at the

neocortex.

Are semantic and episodic • The hippocampus coordinates the

memories stored in the formation of new associations between
hippocampus? concepts, their consolidation and their
retrieval.
 Memory systems

Declarative memory
Systemic consolidation

Fruit Fruit

consolidation
Bana Bana
na Tomat na Tomat
o o

The systemic consolidation hypothesis proposes that the

hippocampus reactivates the associated representations over
time until they consolidate in the neocortex and are
 Memory systems

Declarative memory
Systemic consolidation

• It's a process that lasts from

days to weeks.
• It requires the
hippocampus, which
reactivates the activation
patterns in the neocortex.
• While memories are
dependent on the
hippocampus, they are very
vulnerable to forgetting.
• Once stored in the
neocortex, they are
resistant to forgetting.
 Memory systems

Declarative memory
Systemic consolidation
HIPPOCAMPAL REPLAY
("place cells” example)
 Memory systems

Declarative memory HIPPOCAMPAL REPLAY

Systemic consolidation ("place cells” example)

As an animal navigates its environment, specific The sequences of place cell activations that occurred during
neurons in the hippocampus, known as place cells, exploration are reactivated, or replayed, during these SWRs.
become active in a sequential manner. This replay can happen in the same order as experienced or in
reverse.

Hippocampal replay function

•Memory Consolidation: Replay is believed to play a critical role in consolidating
memories, transferring information from short-term to long-term storage.
•Planning and Decision Making: It's also thought to be involved in planning future
actions and decision-making processes.
 Memory systems

Declarative memory
Systemic consolidation
Consolidation

• It's a process that lasts from days to weeks.

• It requires the hippocampus, which reactivates the
activation patterns in the neocortex.
• While memories are dependent on the hippocampus, they
are very vulnerable to forgetting.
• Once stored in the neocortex, they are resistant to
forgetting.
 Memory systems

Declarative memory
Systemic consolidation

Fruit Fruit Fruit

Reactivation Reconsolidation
Bana Bana Bana
na Tomat na Tomat TOMA
o e na
TA

The reactivation (recovery) of a memory footprint in

We recover a the neocortex, enters a state of vulnerability where it
specific memory is modifiable -> RECONSOLIDATION (Nader & Hardt,
 Memory systems

Neurobiological model of memory

Systemic consolidation
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TOPIC