Learning and memory

The last two times I talked about perception and attention. Do you want to guess the next topic? After perceiving and being attentive, what is the next task? Learning.

I'll try to give you an easy definition of learning. Learning is a more or less stable modification of behavior. Let's see if this definition works. Let's say you want to learn how to crochet, kung fu, or speak a new language! Presumably, you're not capable at first, but if you're motivated enough, it's likely that you'll be able to acquire that skill you lack. Your behavior is changing.

As you can imagine, the topic of learning is closely connected to the topic of memory. Specifically, we are talking about long-term memory. The examples I gave you fall under a type of memory called explicit memory, where you are consciously aware of what you are learning, and it adds to your cultural knowledge.

There is also implicit memory, which encompasses things you have learned without consciously intending or desiring to do so. For example, learning how to walk or speak. These are procedures that become part of your motor repertoire without a conscious motivation (procedural memory).

Suppose you have become the top performer in your crochet, kung fu, or language course. You no longer need someone to teach you. Now you know how to do it. We would commonly say, "You have acquired dexterity." Your body has learned procedures that it can execute "unconsciously." This is another example of procedural memory and, therefore, implicit memory.

Did I confuse you? First, I told you that when we study something, it's called explicit memory, but then it "transforms" into implicit memory? Let's clarify things. What is the difference between explicit memory and implicit memory? Explicit memory is an abstract memory capable of retrieving what you have studied. All the theoretical knowledge you have learned from your courses remains in explicit memory, and if you don't review it, you will likely forget it over time. The notions of psychology and science that I have belong to my explicit memory.

Implicit memory is a "body memory" that encompasses all those skills that are inherent to you and that time would not take away if it weren't for aging. The hand movement for crocheting, the body movement for throwing a punch, the mouth movements for speaking have become implicit procedures that you can retrieve unconsciously. The leg movements I make for driving a car belong to my implicit memory.

A famous example in literature is that of Henry Molaison (the case of H.M.). After undergoing surgery, the patient lost the ability to "encode" information into explicit memory. For approximately 47 years after the surgery, he did not recognize the doctor who was taking care of him; to him, she was always a new person. He could solve the same crossword puzzles every day without remembering having done them the day before. However, Henry was still able to acquire new manual skills (implicit memory).

To see if you understood, can you give an example of explicit and implicit memory? Would you like to try?

 

If you want me to describe in my own words a topic of psychology, please request it in the comment section.

Cited sources: Squire (1987) - Memory and brain. Schacter (1987) - Implicit memory: history and current status. You can read about the story of patient H.M. on Wikipedia, but for a more specific discussion, I recommend the book "Happy Brain" by Wendy Suzuki.