immediate memory
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun A cognitive system for the very brief, temporary storage of information that has just been perceived. It is the memory used to hold and process information for immediate use, typically lasting only a few seconds without rehearsal.
Usage
"Immediate memory" is a term used in psychology and cognitive science. It refers to the initial, fleeting retention of sensory input or the ability to recall something immediately after experiencing it. It is often used interchangeably with or considered a component of short-term memory, but it specifically emphasizes the first stage of holding information consciously.
Examples
- The test measures your immediate memory span by asking you to repeat a sequence of numbers you just heard.
- After the car accident, his immediate memory of the event was vivid, but the details faded within an hour.
- A distraction can easily disrupt your immediate memory, causing you to forget a phone number you just looked up.
Advanced Usage
- In Cognitive Psychology: Often discussed in the context of information processing models, where "immediate memory" is the first store before information is either forgotten or transferred to long-term memory through encoding.
- In Neuropsychology: Deficits in immediate memory can be an early indicator of certain neurological conditions or cognitive impairments.
Variants and Related Words
- Short-term memory (STM): A closely related, often broader term for the temporary storage system. While "immediate memory" often refers to the initial capture of information, "short-term memory" can include active manipulation of that information (as in working memory).
- Working memory: A more active system that not only stores but also manipulates information for complex cognitive tasks like reasoning and comprehension. It is an extension of the concept of immediate/short-term memory.
- Sensory memory: The even briefer, initial recording of sensory information (like an afterimage) that feeds into immediate memory.
Synonyms
- Short-term recall
- Primary memory
- Temporary memory store
Antonyms
- Long-term memory
- Permanent memory
Noun
- what you can repeat immediately after perceiving it