| It is believed that our long-term memory is stored in seperate systems. One, the semantic memory, which acts like a dictionary and holds general information. The second is episodic memory, which stores more specific information. In order for the information to be transfered from the short-term memory to the long-term memory the information most likely will have to be rehearsed. For example, when studying for a test, you go over the same material until you can specifically remember it. The other way information may be transfered is if you experience something that is meaningful. For example, falling in love for the first tiime. You'll be able to remember destinct details for a long time.
Most memories we remember, we remember becuase we want to. These are called explicit memories. However, we also remember information unaware of it. These are called implicit memories. Both help us remember memories with great detail. Explicit memory allows us to remember key actions, while implicit memory allows us to remember background information that may have been going on during the same time.
Sometimes we find it difficult to remember information that we have placed in our long-term memory. Interference plays a big role in this problem. There are two types; one, retroactive interference, which means new information interferes with old information. For example, you learn how to tie your shoes one way, then you learn a new, easier way. After time it's harder to remember the first way. The second is proactive interference. This is when old information interferes with new information. Usually information gets interfered because they are similiar, it becomes hard to distinguish between the two memories.
Long-term memory is very complicated. here are so many variables in recalling and storing memories. But in general, we remember events clearly if they had a significant impact on us. As times goes on, those memories that weren't as significant will slowly dissapear. Also, when there are similiar events, it's hard to distinguish a difference. |