How to Improve Different Kinds of Memory
Human memory isn’t one single process. It can actually be divided into many different mental activities. When you form a memory, information is stored, and what that information is and how long you can retain it depend on what kind of memory it is.
In general, there are two major kinds of memory: long-term and short-term (closely related to working memory). They are defined by how long the information is stored in the brain. If you are working on improving your memory, you should first decide which kind to focus on.
Long-term memory
Long-term memory is the mind’s system for storing, managing and retrieving information. It is much more complex than short-term memory, because people store different information using different memory systems. To make things even more complicated, long-term memory can be divided into three types: explicit, implicit and autobiographical.
Explicit memory
Explicit memory (also known as “declarative memory”) requires conscious thought. Information is deliberately stored and consciously recalled. If you want to improve this aspect of your long-term memory, practice recalling information regularly and associating it with other ideas.
Implicit memory
Implicit memory (which includes “procedural memory”), by comparison, is not based on conscious thought or recall. It is built through implicit learning. This kind of memory is at work when you do routine tasks automatically, or when you have learned a skill like riding a bike and no longer have to think about how to do it. Repetition is the key to improving and maintaining this kind of memory.
Autobiographical memory
Autobiographical memory is involved when you recall personal experiences. It is the memory of specific events in your life. It draws on two types of memory: episodic and semantic. Episodic memory holds information tied to a specific context, such as a time and place. Semantic memory holds facts that are independent of the context in which you learned them.
Short-term memory
Short-term memory, on the other hand, is closely related to working memory. Information is held in the brain for only a short time, until you either let it go or transfer it into long-term memory. Memory programs and techniques can help improve the mind’s capacity to hold and work with this kind of information. For practical ideas, see methods to improve memory.