Muistikerrokset

Muistikerrokset, often translated as memory layers, refers to a conceptual framework used in computer science and cognitive psychology to describe how information is organized and processed in memory. This model suggests that memory is not a single entity but rather a system composed of distinct layers or stages, each with its own characteristics and functions.

The most common model includes three primary layers: sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory. Sensory memory acts as a fleeting buffer, holding a precise, but very brief, replica of sensory input. Information that is attended to then moves to short-term memory, which has a limited capacity and duration, holding information that is currently being actively processed or rehearsed. If information is further processed, rehearsed, or encoded meaningfully, it can be transferred to long-term memory, a vast and relatively permanent storehouse of knowledge, skills, and experiences.

Within these broad categories, further subdivisions and more complex models exist. For instance, short-term memory is often understood as working memory, a more dynamic system that not only stores but also manipulates information. Long-term memory is frequently divided into explicit (declarative) memory, which includes facts and events, and implicit (non-declarative) memory, which encompasses skills and habits. Understanding these memory layers is crucial for comprehending learning, forgetting, and various cognitive processes.