Types of Memory

Memory comes in many forms and serves different functions. Here are some key types of memory:

• Sensory Memory: The immediate, very short-term storage of sensory information like sights and sounds.
• Short-Term Memory: Holds information temporarily for processing, usually seconds to minutes.
• Long-Term Memory: Stores information for long periods, potentially a lifetime.
• Explicit Memory: Conscious memories such as facts and events.
• Implicit Memory: Unconscious memories, like skills and habits.
• Iconic Memory: Visual sensory memory lasting about 250 milliseconds.
• Echoic Memory: Auditory sensory memory lasting 1–2 seconds.

Understanding these types helps us appreciate the complexity of human memory.