The systematic study of implicit memory systems only began a few years ago. Indeed, procedural memory has been ignored until a few years ago, and is, instead, the most important and widespread memory in living beings. It is present in numerous species of animals (fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals) and is the first to be activated in humans, already present in the fetus and the newborn. Procedural or implicit memory is the first to appear in the child and the last to decline in the elderly. In this Psychology-Online article we will see what it is, the different types and some exercises to improve procedural memory.
What is procedural memory in psychology
procedural memory is memory of how things are done and how objects are used. What does procedural memory store? In everyday life, people rely every day on procedural memory, the type of memory that allows them to remember how to tie shoes or ride a bike without consciously thinking about these activities. Procedural memory refers, therefore, to that information, rarely known, that appears in time during development and that allows the acquisition of skills and competencies in action. The distinctive characteristics of the procedural document are the following:
- The acquisition of implicit knowledge and procedural skills occurs randomly, that is, without conscious effort.
- Implicit and procedural knowledge are not accessible to conscious introspection and cannot be described verbally.
- This knowledge will be used automatically.
- They improve with practice.
People who have a good procedural memory are certainly favored when adapting to new work activities or novelties in the context of the same work. The loss of this type of memory, on the other hand, makes everyday activities such as dressing and washing difficult. It seems to last longer than the and it is for this reason that they look sick who have difficulty finding the words and who do not understand their meaning but who, instead, can sing old songs.
In the following article, we explain all the .
Types of procedural memory
Procedural memory is made up of a mosaic of very different subcomponents. They have been identified:
- Systems for the acquisition of cognitive-motor proceduress, such as the ability to walk, ride a bicycle, speak, etc.
- Systems for the acquisition of conditional reflexesfor example the salivation reflected in the presence of a good dish.
- The systems underlying primingan important phenomenon that affects the visual and auditory perception.
How procedural memory works
The term “procedural memory” refers to motor, perceptual and cognitive skills and habits. Sometimes called “skills and habits” memory, procedural memory is characterized by the acquisition of a motor ability, for example playing the piano, that after numerous repetitions becomes automatic. When a skill has become a routine or habit, it can be uploaded to other brain systems such as the basal ganglia, motor cortex, and cerebellum, where it is processed unconsciously. A skill that has become “second nature” no longer requires careful cortical monitoring. Research into procedural memory indicates that it operates through a mental process different from declarative memory: we therefore have a memory that was originally declarative memory and that ends up becoming automatic.
However, it is important to emphasize that procedural memory is not just a memory of motor skills, as other forms of memory, unrelated to motor skills, are often classified under procedural memory. For example, problem solving often requires the intervention of a form of memory that allows recovering ways of proceeding and sequences of actions of which the person is not aware. In other words, where there is some manifestation of learning without remembering how to do something, we speak of procedural memory.
Brain areas involved in procedural memory
The brain areas that are involved in procedural memory are completely different from those involved in and refer to the region of the cranial base ganglia of the additional motor area and the cerebellum.
- He dorsolateral striatum It is associated with the acquisition of habits and is the main nucleus of neuronal cells linked to procedural memory.
- He cerebellum It is known to play a role in correcting movement and fine-tuning the motor agility needed in procedural skills such as painting, instrument sound, and in sports such as golf. Damage to this area can prevent the proper reopening of motor skills and this structure has been associated with a role in automating the unconscious process of procedural learning. Find out here.
- He limbic system It shares anatomy with a component of the neostriatum, credited with the primary task of controlling procedural memory. Here you can see.
Examples of procedural memory
Procedural learning is the acquisition of new procedural skills, which can then be recalled by memory when necessary. Acquiring new skills requires practice above all, although practice does not in itself guarantee the acquisition of a skill. Think of a driving lesson: as long as the skill is not acquired, a cognitive effort is necessary to put into practice the individual gestures and behaviors that are used to drive a car. Once the skill is acquired, the memory can be invoked automatically and without conscious effort.
Professional musicians and athletes are said to excel, in part, because of their superior ability to form procedural memories. Procedural memory is also important in language development, as it allows a person to speak without having to think much about correct grammar and syntax. Some examples of activities that depend on the procedure:
- Play the piano
- Skiing
- Ice skating
- Play baseball
- Swim
- Riding a bicycle
- Climb a wall
Exercises to improve procedural memory
Like any muscle, even the brain needs constant training and healthy lifestyle habits, which also include a balanced diet. The brain and the rest of the body, in fact, are an organic whole: treating your own body well can also improve brain capabilities, including those related to memory. But in the case of specific exercises to improve procedural memory, we can concentrate on the evocation of true procedures, such as:
- Remember a recipe and carry out the sequence of actions.
- To evoke a game and go through all the actions that lead to its realization.
- Remember a song and play it in its entirety with a musical instrument.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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Bibliography
- Brandimonta, A. (2021). memory system. Retrieved from: http://math.unife.it/ssis/allegati/indicazioni-programmi/pascali/SSIS.Memoria.pdf
- Mancia, M. (et al.)(2007). Psychoanalysis and neuroscience. Milan: Springer-Verlag.
- Oasi, O., Cavagna, D. (et al.) (2004). Percorsi of dynamic psychology. Milan: Franco Angeli.
- Ricci Garrotti, F. (et al.) (1999). L’immersione linguistica. A new perspective. Milan: Franco Angeli.