Memory is considered by psychology to be the most important function of the nervous system, since without it learning and the possibility of modifying behavior would be impossible. Without proper memory functioning we might not be able to integrate new information and learn new things, we would not be able to remember what we have already learned, or we might not be able to forget anything we have learned. All of this would have a great negative impact on our daily lives.
However, there is a type of memory that allows us to make a great sieve of all the information we receive from our environment and that helps us memorize only what will be useful to us later. This is selective memory.
In Psychology-Online, we want to explain a little more What is selective memory and how does it work?
Types of memory
Broadly speaking, we can make a distinction between three different ones, these being:
1. Sensory memory
It does not intervene in care. It is a necessary component so that the rest of the memories can work, it lasts a few seconds. milliseconds. It is responsible for transferring the data collected by the senses to short-term memory. Within it, we find two subtypes:
- Iconic: memory that reflects information from the visual system.
- Ecoic: stores the information that comes from the ears.
2. Short-term memory
The stored information disappears as it is integrated again. It has a capacity of about seven items (concepts), so it is considered a limited warehouse.
3. Long-term memory
The information is integrated and is available so that we can use it in the future. Its capacity is unlimited, almost the same as its duration, which can last a lifetime. Within it we find two large groups:
- Declarative: responsible for the conscious and intentional retrieval or retention of (explicit) information.
- Non-declarative: responsible for skills, habits, responses, which are neither intentional nor conscious (implicit).
Meaning of selective memory and selective attention
Selective memory is not considered by science as a type of memory as such, but rather as that process that allows us to differentiate between that information that we find important and want to remember and that which we decide to avoid. This is why it is often said that selective memory allows us remember only what we want to remember.
Since the concept of memory has already been explained previously, I also want to present the definition of the term attention. This is a cognitive mechanism through which information relevant to the individual is selected, while information that is irrelevant is discarded.
The selective attention, for its part, refers to directing and focusing an individual’s attentional resources towards the perceptual information that surrounds them. This focusing of attention is very necessary for the individual, since we cannot manage all the perceptual information that exists at a given moment at the same time. Therefore, it facilitates the processing of certain stimulation while inhibiting the processing of another.
To carry out this selection of information, use is made of open orientation (where we move our eyes to focus on the stimulus that interests us) and covert orientation (there is no need to move our eyes, so processing is faster) .
What is selective memory: definition
The fact that this term is not scientifically recognized makes it considerably difficult to provide an exact definition of selective memory. However, an easy way to understand and explain it is by emphasizing the importance of emotional events in memory.
Memory is a complex function, which is closely linked to everything emotional that surrounds us, which is why, unconsciously, labyrinths and barriers are created in it that allow us to adapt reality to our whim. This type of memory is also known as pragmatics due to the fact that it aims to seek effectiveness and usefulness over quantity. This means that selective memory prefers store a smaller amount of useful informationfaced with the possibility of storing a lot of information that will later be of no use to us.
How selective memory works
Due to the great information storage capacity that memory has, it is an essential requirement that there be a level of selection in the integration processes. According to Dr. Petrucci, a renowned psychiatrist, the selective characteristic of memory comes as a result of a link between what we have previously described as declarative or explicit memory and non-declarative or implicit memory.
This is because, despite remembering and memorizing information unconsciously, we tend to consciously associate it with a series of emotionsso later, when we remember these emotions, it is much easier for us to evoke the information to which they are associated.
A very clear example of selective memory activation It is when we have a partner and at that time we try to store all the good memories with her. Unconsciously, when we evoke the name of that person we love, the most pleasant memories will come to our mind. However, if the relationship is truncated and ends badly, from that moment on, selective memory will cause every time we think about that person, we will remember the bad moments, in order to distort reality, making us see that the person Leaving him was the right decision, since they were all bad times.
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
- Julio González. (2016). Memory and Language. Jaume I University.
- Dolores Girbau. (2015). Learning. Jaume I University.
- Roser Poy. (2015). Perception and Attention. Jaume I University.