Human Growth and Development

Types of Memory

Memory moves through stages: sensory memory briefly captures input, short-term memory processes it, and long-term memory stores experiences, knowledge, and skills. Sensory Memory

●​ Holds information from the senses (vision, sound, touch) for a few seconds. ●​ Helps decide which information to keep and pass to short-term memory.

●​ Iconic memory (visual) lasts only milliseconds. ●​ Echoic memory (sound) lasts a few seconds.

Short-Term (Working) Memory ●​ Holds about 7 items for a short time. ●​ Helps with daily tasks, like remembering a phone number while dialing. ●​ If information is not repeated, it disappears quickly. ●​ Rehearsal (repeating information) helps move it to long-term memory. Long-term memory: Stores experiences, facts, and skills permanently. Types of long-term memory: ●​ Episodic memory: Personal events (birthday parties, vacations). ●​ Semantic memory: Facts and general knowledge (names of countries, historical events). ●​ Procedural memory: Skills and habits (riding a bike, typing on a keyboard). Memory improves in childhood as the hippocampus (a brain structure) strengthens. How Memory Changes Over Time Memory evolves throughout life, adapting to the brain's development in childhood, strengthening in adolescence, and later facing both improvements and declines in adulthood. Childhood and Adolescence ●​ Working memory (holding and using information) improves as the brain develops. ●​ The frontal lobes (responsible for planning and problem-solving) become stronger. ●​ Children learn better memory strategies, making it easier to store and recall information.

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