III. Declarative memory subsystems
A. Working memory is a short-term memory system that allows us
to store and process limited amounts of information of an imme-diate sense. Working memory lasts anywhere from 2 to 18 seconds.
Working memory is used for mental calculations, such as figuring
a tip; retaining information briefly, such as when dialing a phone
number; and processing incoming information, such as when
listening to a newscast. It also allows us to temporarily process
information we have previously learned in a class and access it to
learn and associate new information.
B. Episodic memory is a long-term memory system that stores information
about specific events or episodes related to one’s own
life.
1. E pisodic memory is used to recall past events, such as a
movie you saw last week, the dinner you ate last night, the
name of the book your friend recommended, or a birthday
party you attended.
2. In the laboratory, psychologists study episodic memory by
exposing participants to material and then testing the participants’
memory of it. For example, in the first part of an experiment,
participants could be shown pictures of 20 simple
objects and then asked to name the pictures (e.g., dog, table,
shoe). After a delay, for part two of the experiment, participants
could be asked to recall all the pictures they had seen
in the first part of the experiment, or they could be tested on
their recognition of the items they had seen. For example,
participants can be presented with 20 pictures (10 old pictures
and 10 new pictures) and asked to circle the objects they had
seen in the first part of the experiment. Note that both the
recall and recognition tests ask participants to consciously
remember what had been presented earlier.
C. Semantic memory is a long-term memory system that stores
general knowledge.
Examples of what semantic memory stores are vocabulary or
facts such as 2+2 = 4 and Michigan is a state in the United
States.