Short-term memory

Short-term memory providessubsequent reproduction of operational information. Its presence in humans was proved by the German scientist Hermann Ebbingaus in 1885. He evaluated the efficiency of reproducing random letters, numbers and symbols after one reading and proved that such information can be reproduced in a limited number. The volume of short-term memory takes on average 5-10 units. What does the human memory need for?

The main property of such memory -short, since the information is stored for several minutes, and sometimes even seconds. The mechanism of short-term memory is quite complex, and there is no unified theory on this issue. What information you would like to learn, any memorization begins with complex electrochemical processes in the brain, because short-term memory is based on the impulsive activity of neurons and the circulation of excitation through closed circuits of neurons.

A very important role in determining the mechanismsThe work of memory was played by the application of a strong electrical effect on the human brain. The results of the study showed that after exposure to electroshock retrograde amnesia occurs, which manifests itself in the fact that a person remembers nothing about events that preceded such an effect on the brain. The same amnesia occurs as a result of severe shaking, bruising and anesthesia. The duration of retrograde amnesia can tell about the time of consolidation of memory, that is, how much is needed for short-term memory to pass into the long-term memory. As a rule, memory consolidation begins after 5-10 minutes.

A study of the development of retrogradeamnesia on the example of a man made it possible for scientists to formulate a hypothesis about the mechanism of short-term memory functioning. We are talking about the hypothesis of reverberation of excitation through closed neural chains. It is established that in closed chains neuronal circulation (another name of reverberation) lasts a couple of minutes, storing the data in the form of a certain sequence of pulses. The latter are transmitted from one neuron to another. There is an opinion that during the movement the influence of some stimulus retains the neural trace.

The above hypothesis is directly related toto everyday experience and testifies that for training constant practice is necessary - repeated carrying out of studied material through consciousness. Thus, short-term memory becomes long-term.

Short-term memory is a kind of memory,which is characterized by a very short data retention time. The information received is lost due to the influence of the time factor or due to the new arrival of the next piece of information. In addition, short-term memory differs by a relatively small number of reproducible elements. The received information gets into long-term memory from short-term or sensory memory only when the individual pays attention to it and repeatedly repeats it. Due to the enlargement of the information units that fall into short-term memory, the total number of its elements can increase. The storage of data within this memory is carried out in a modal form.

Recently, scientists are working not only onexplanation of the phenomenon of short-term memory and its mechanisms, but also the methods of its verification and training. Today, there are many special tests and tasks that will help you determine what kind of short-term memory you have and evaluate it in different ways.