In addition to intellectual, perceptual cognitive processes, there are also mnemonic ones. They are components of human cognitive activity, closely related to its perceptual processes, intellectual activity. The arising images of memory are called representations.
Interpretation of the concept of memory
It is known that this is the process of preserving previously acquired experience, it is he who makes it possible to reuse the latter in action, as well as return to the field of consciousness. It connects the past of the individual with his present, as well as the future. Memory is the most important cognitive function that forms the basis for further learning and development.
Past experience consists of the renewing images of individual objects, processes that were perceived in the past, previously acquired movements, actions, previously experienced feelings and desires and thoughts that arose once.
Basic memory processes
These include:
- memorization;
- recognition;
- reproduction.
All kinds of excitations passing directly into the brain from both internal and external stimuli leave the so-called marked in it, persisting for many years. Speaking figuratively, it can be imagined that paths for the above-mentioned excitations are paved in the cortex of the hemispheres, due to which subsequently the nerve connections appear faster and easier. The latter are saved, and then come to life in the event of a repeat of excitations or die away, if they are not repeated, and then the “doubled” is forgotten. Thus, the process of formation, preservation of temporary connections is the physiological foundation of memory.
The mechanism of the phenomenon under consideration
The information that comes from the sensory organs is processed by sensory memory, ensuring its retention for a fairly short period of time (usually less than a minute).
Depending on the type of stimulus, the latter may be:
- echoic (communication with hearing);
- iconic (connection with vision), etc.
Psychologists speculate that it is in the sensory memory that physical signs of incoming information are recorded. In other words, at this stage, the distinction is made between memorization - eyes or nose.
Immediately after receiving any information, a process such as forgetting begins.
Types of memory
There are a number of criteria for their classification, one of which is its division by the time of storage of the obtained material, and the other by the analyzer, which prevails in the previously mentioned processes of storing, reproducing, storing the material.
So, in the 1st case, it is customary to allocate several types of memory:
- operational;
- instantaneous;
- genetic;
- short-term;
- long term.
And in the 2nd case we are talking about visual, olfactory, auditory, tactile and other types of memory. Now we learn in more detail about what are auditory and visual memory.
The first is regarded as good memorization, fairly accurate reproduction of various kinds of sounds, for example, musical, speech. Auditory memory is necessary for philologists, acoustics, musicians, as well as people who study foreign languages.
Visual memory is first associated with the preservation, and then with the reproduction of the resulting visual images. Quite often, this species is inherent in people with an eidetic perception, such individuals are able to “see” the captured picture for a significantly longer period of time already in the imagination at the end of exposure to the corresponding senses. On the basis of this, the type of memory under consideration implies the presence of the subject's ability to imagine.
So, after we learned what are auditory and visual memory, it would be useful to pay attention to issues regarding the possibility of their development. For this, you should turn to special techniques.
Visual memory development
It is clear that every time at least once faced with such a situation, when someone from the environment easily remembered new detailed information. Most people have short-term visual memory. It determines the ability to remember visual information, deepen understanding in the presence of certain visual materials.
Today, there are techniques that help improve memory. One of the most common ways is to train the imagination, develop creative thinking in yourself, and use associations. For example, if it is necessary to remember multi-valued numbers, it is required to present them in such a form as plants, animals, inanimate objects. So, a unit can be a roadside pillar, a two can be a swan, a six can be a padlock (open), an eight can be a matryoshka, etc. If it is immediately difficult to imagine the whole picture, then you can try to sketch out a sketch.
Auditory memory development
As it has already become clear, auditory and visual memory can give in to training. We have already examined how to improve visual memory, now we will learn how to train auditory. This type of memory plays an important role for remembering a new word, songs, poems. An effective exercise for development in this case is “Listen and Remember.” For example, if this is a child, then after listening to a short tale ("Turnips") he must repeat it in the exact sequence.
A simplified form of the task is suitable for younger children: the names of several paired objects (shoes-laces, plate-spoon, etc.) are voiced. The development of auditory memory is well facilitated by the sound of simple objects. It will be useful to purchase toy musical instruments for the child. You can also demonstrate different sounds, after which the child will have to guess the instrument.
Thus, we can safely say that auditory and visual memory lend themselves to training, especially in early childhood. Today, there are many methods, it remains only to choose the right one.
Finally, it is worth recalling that in the article such concepts as visual and auditory memory were considered. Details about the processes of memory.