What Is Memory?

In our day to day lives we encounter all kinds of different information. Simple visual images, auditory signals, tastes and smells, as well as more complex experiences like conversations, cooking a meal or navigating a route to a new location. Memory is the ability to store, hold on to and retrieve the information that we experience. 

“Memory [is]... an array of interacting systems, each capable of encoding or registering information, storing it and making it available by retrieval. Without this capability for information storage, we could not perceive adequately, learn from our past, understand the present, or plan for the future”

(Baddeley, 2013, p.18)

In cognitive science, theories of memory have made several important distinctions between (Baddeley, 1997):

• The modality of input – visual, verbal/auditory, haptic, taste/smell and motoric.
• The duration of storage – sensory memory, short term memory / working memory, and long term memory.
• Coherent bodies of knowledge that are learnt or stored over

This is a Psychology Tools information handout. Suggested uses include:

• Client handout – a psychoeducation resource.
• Discussion point – to provoke a discussion and explore your client’s beliefs.
• Therapist learning tool – to improve your familiarity with a psychological construct.
• Supervision tool – to develop formulations and knowledge.
• Teaching resource – a learning tool during training.

• Baddeley, A. D. (1997), Human memory: Theory and practice, Psychology press.
• Baddeley, A. (2013), Essentials of human memory (classic edition), Psychology Press.
• Craik, F. I., & Lockhart, R. S. (1972), Levels of processing: A framework for memory research, Journal of verbal learning and verbal behavior, 11(6), 671-684.
• DeLuca, J. (2005) Fatigue, Cognition and Mental Effort, Ch. 2 in: DeLuca, J. (ed.), Fatigue as a Window to the Brain, MIT Press, USA.
• Evans, F.A., Wong, D., Lawson, D.W., Withiel, T.D. & Stolwyk, R.J. (2020) What are the most common memory complaints following stroke? A frequency and exploratory factor analysis of items from the Everyday Memory Questionnaire-Revised, The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 34:3, 498-511, 
• Levin, H. S., Amparo, E., Eisenberg, H. M., Williams, D. H., High, W. M., McArdle, C. B., & Weiner, R. L. (1987). Magnetic resonance imaging and