What Is Working Memory? Defining Various Types Of Memory

Medically reviewed by Nikki Ciletti, M.Ed, LPC and April Justice, LICSW
Updated October 11, 2024by BetterHelp Editorial Team
Content warning: Please be advised, the below article might mention trauma-related topics that could be triggering to the reader. Please see our Get Help Now page for more immediate resources.

Memory generally consists of four main types: sensory memory, short-term memory, working memory, and long-term memory. Long-term memory can be further broken down into implicit memory, explicit memory, episodic memory, semantic memory, and autobiographical memory. Although occasional memory challenges can be normal, consistent memory difficulties can be a symptom of various neurodegenerative diseases, traumatic brain injury, and other concerns. If you’re living with memory-related challenges, working with a licensed therapist in person or online can be helpful.

Types of memory

Sensory memory

Sensory memory is usually the first system of memory that information enters. At this level, that information can be viewed as pure sensory records from the senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch. As such, this system generally has an incredibly large capacity. However, information typically remains only briefly before it is filtered through. If the information seems important, it may proceed to be transferred to short-term memory.

Visual sensory information can be called iconic memory, and this form of sensory memory tends to be one of the most studied

Echoic memory, or memory for the sense of hearing, is also generally well-studied. 

Meanwhile, haptic memory can be the technical term for memory regarding the sense of touch. This can include information gleaned from the body receptors regarding pain, pressure, and itching, among other sensations. Research on the way this memory subsystem works is relatively new, and scientists are still working to discern how haptic memory works.

Short-term memory

Your short-term memory normally receives information from your sensory memory. While your sensory memory may have a large and brief capacity, your short-term memory can usually hold only a limited amount of information. Information tends to leave short-term memory quickly unless you actively do something with it to hold it there or eventually move it to long-term memory.

Research has shown that short-term memory can generally hold five to nine pieces of information at once. One strategy for holding more information in short-term memory may be to engage in an approach called chunking. 

Chunking generally refers to combining smaller pieces of information into larger ones, thus reducing the total number of "chunks" you must remember. For example, if you need to recall a phone number, instead of trying to remember 10 distinct digits, you might think of the information as multi-digit chunks.

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Online therapy can address memory-related concerns

To hold information in short-term memory for a longer period, you can also engage in the process of rehearsal. You may have done this in the past without even realizing it. Rehearsal typically refers to repeating the information in your mind. For example, you might do this if you are told a phone number and need to retrieve your phone before you can dial.

Working memory

While some people can conflate short-term memory with working memory, these are generally considered to be separate systems. The working memory system usually holds information that is actively being manipulated for processing. That processing may be done with the intent to make decisions or select behavioral outcomes. Similar to short-term memory, working memory normally has a fairly limited capacity.

It is hypothesized that working memory may be comprised of subsystems. This was illustrated in Baddeley's model of working memory. Baddeley and his colleague, Hitch, suggested there may be three components to working memory. One is usually called the “central executive” because it seems to govern the others. Another, the phonological loop, seems to manage language. The third, the visuospatial sketchpad, seems to be subservient to the others. It is proposed that visual and spatial information can be processed here. A fourth component was also theorized as the episodic buffer, which may temporarily work with other information and link working memory to long-term memory.

Long-term memory

In general, information can move from short-term memory to long-term memory if your brain deems it important enough to hold onto. Research suggests that much of this transference occurs during sleep, which can be why the right quality and quantity of sleep is often crucial for learning.

Long-term memory is generally the component of the total memory system that seems to have unlimited capacity and duration. It is also the component that tends to be the most complex and complicated, with several subsystems.

Implicit memory

Within the broader long-term memory system, implicit memories can be thought of as those that occur with less intentionality, meaning there was not necessarily any intention to learn and put that information into long-term memory or to later recall that information. For example, one specific type of implicit memory can be procedural memory, which usually involves remembering how to do certain actions and tasks.

Explicit memory

Otherwise known as declarative memory, explicit memories can be defined as those that require conscious effort to put into memory and later recall. This type of long-term memory can then be further divided.

Semantic memory

Long-term memory for information is usually known as semantic memory. This can be the type of information you learn in school and must recall for various tasks, such as homework and tests.

Episodic memory

Your recollection of specific events and their accompanying information (such as the name of someone you previously met) can be called episodic memory. This type of memory tends to decline with age.

Autobiographical memory

Similar to episodic memory, autobiographical memory is frequently seen as knowledge about personal events and experiences. Such memories may differ from others because they tend to be unique to each person.

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Memory disorders and their effects on different memory types

Anyone can have occasional memory challenges, such as not being able to think of a specific word, not remembering where you left an item, or forgetting to complete a task. Such challenges may happen more often when you’re under stress, sick, or with increasing age. Certain disorders can also significantly affect memory.

Neurodegenerative diseases

Certain diseases can be considered neurodegenerative because they typically involve the breakdown of the brain over time. Such disorders can include forms of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. Other disorders can include Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. In some of these disorders, long-term memory loss can be a secondary symptom due to general neural deterioration. All these disorders are usually irreversible, and there currently are no known cures, although symptoms may be managed.

Traumatic brain injury

If someone sustains a significant head injury, they may incur a traumatic brain injury. This can occur during car accidents or serious falls. Depending on the nature of the injury, various parts of the brain may be damaged. In some of these cases, amnesia can occur, which may affect the recall of past events or the ability to put new information into long-term memory. In some instances, a person may require brain surgery that can cause similar side effects.

Emotion, memory, and mental health

During certain highly emotional incidents, people may form a "flashbulb memory." These memories can be almost like photographs, with the recollection of a high level of detail for the incident. The formation of these types of memories often occurs after upsetting events. For example, people close to a bombing may have very vivid memories of the incident.

Having heightened emotions so closely attached to memory can lead to certain mental health conditions. Immediately after a traumatic event, a person may experience acute stress disorder. With immediate support and psychological treatment, the symptoms may resolve. If the symptoms persist, the person may eventually meet the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The symptoms of PTSD can include flashbacks and nightmares. Individuals with PTSD are often upset when they see stimuli that remind them of the trauma. Over time, the condition can become debilitating. It can affect a person's ability to function at home and in public. Generally, treatment is needed. Mental health professionals can take varied approaches to help individuals overcome PTSD. 

Seeking help for memory concerns

Some people may experience difficult events and can be left with painful memories that they struggle to put behind them. Others may want to improve their memory to aid their success in various areas of life.

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Online therapy can address memory-related concerns

If you have painful memories that you want to leave behind, you may benefit from therapy. Licensed mental health professionals can assist people in processing difficult memories and overcoming their negative impacts.

Meanwhile, if you find that your memory is not as strong as you would like it to be, mental health professionals can assist with that, too. 

Benefits of online therapy

If you struggle with memory, online therapy may be a more convenient option than in-person therapy. You may simply need to be ready with your device of choice when it is time for your therapy session, rather than having to plan for transportation to and from a therapist’s physical office. You may also appreciate the ability to match with a therapist who has experience helping others with memory-related challenges.

Effectiveness of online therapy

A 2022 study looked at the efficacy of online cognitive behavioral therapy with a trauma focus for post-traumatic stress disorder, which can involve symptoms related to memory, such as flashbacks. It found that it was non-inferior to individual face-to-face CBT-TF and should be considered a first-line treatment for people with this condition. In general, online therapy can be as effective as in-person therapy for treating a variety of mental health concerns.

Takeaway

There are generally four types of memory, usually including sensory memory, short-term memory, working memory, and long-term memory. However, there can be many types of long-term memory, such as semantic memory, episodic memory, implicit memory, explicit memory, and autobiographical memory. Occasional challenges with memory may not be a cause for concern, but frequent memory lapses can be a sign of issues like neurodegenerative diseases and should be mentioned to your doctor. If you’d like to improve your memory or address memory-related challenges, you might consider working with a licensed therapist online or in person.
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