Sensory Memory
Research papers on psychological topics can be written by the psychology writers at Paper Masters. In today's world of aging baby boomers and the prolific nature of alzheimers, sensory memory research is extremely important. Learn the most up-to-date research regarding memory and sensory memory from a paper written by the professionals at Paper Mastesr.
Sensory memory deals with the five senses:
- Touch
- Hearings
- Sight
- Smell
- taste
Information from these senses are received by sensory receptors that processes them in the nervous system. This information is stored for a short amount of time, which places is it under the category of short-term memory. The process of sensory memory allows human beings to conserve collected sensory information even after the initial stimuli ends.
A good example of sensory memory is when a light "trails" after quickly moving a light source in the dark. An individual could test this by taking a light and quickly move it in a circular motion. If the light is twirled fast enough, it leaves a sustained image of a circle. This type if visual sensory data is called iconic memory. There are two other types of sensory memory known as the following:
- Echoic
- Haptic Memory
In relation to other memory systems, sensory memory is not involved in higher cognitive functions that recalls or compares memory information. Sensory memory is an automatic response with a short span of time with each memory store. Genetics can play a role in the volume of a persons memory. If there is a mutation of a person's brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or nerve growth factor, they may experience a decrease in echoic and iconic memory.
The question of why human memory should be improved is a difficult question to answer primarily because there are a broad range of reasons. One of the simplest and broadest reasons for why human memory should be improved is that it would be beneficial to humans in a number of ways.
Memory allows us to store and retrieve vital information that is necessary to exist on a daily basis. It allows us to store and retrieve the information that would prompt us to change certain behaviors that have created negative experiences in our lives and to duplicate those that have generated positive experiences. It also allows us to recognize the elements around us like home, family and self so that our lives are continued without interruption or the need to become re-acquainted with these elements each day.
While all of these things are important for our daily existence, probably the most significant reason for improving human memory would be in helping humans to excel in areas like academic, technical or professional skills. Modern science and medicine has already been pursuing the methods, techniques and drugs that may contribute to the improvement of human memory.