memorysystem

A memory system refers to any organized set of processes or components that encode, store, and retrieve information. The term is used in multiple domains, notably cognitive neuroscience and computer engineering, with distinct but related meanings.

In cognitive science, a memory system describes the functional architecture of human or animal memory. Classical models distinguish sensory memory, short-term or working memory, and long-term memory; long-term memory is further divided into explicit (episodic and semantic) and implicit (procedural, priming) systems. Theories such as the multi-store model and dual-store and component models of working memory explain how information is transferred, maintained, and manipulated. Neurobiological substrates include the hippocampus, medial temporal lobes, prefrontal cortex, and distributed cortical networks. Memory performance is influenced by attention, encoding strategies, consolidation, and retrieval cues; impairments occur in conditions like amnesia, dementia, and traumatic brain injury.

In computing, a memory system denotes hardware and software that manage data storage and access. Key elements include registers, caches, main (primary) memory (RAM), secondary storage (disk, SSD), and virtual memory mechanisms. Design trade-offs involve capacity, speed, cost, and persistence; hierarchical organization and caching improve effective performance. Memory systems in computing implement addressing, protection, and coherence for multiprocessing environments.

Across fields, studying memory systems informs applications such as education, clinical intervention, information technology, and artificial intelligence, where models of storage and retrieval guide design and remediation.