The three types of memory
Types of Memory
Memory is how our brains process and store information so that we can retrieve it later. Generally speaking, there are three types of human memory: short-term, working, and long-term.
Short-term memory is what it sounds like: a place where our brains store information temporarily. The amount of information is limited and is only retained for about 30 seconds unless we repeat the information to ourselves. Examples of short-term memory are how you’re able to remember a phone number or six-digit verification code long enough to type it into your phone, or when a doctor asks you to repeat and remember a series of words and then asks you to say them again a few minutes later.
Working memory, like short-term memory, also provides temporary storage of small amounts of information. However, whereas short-term memory is all about retaining information, working memory is where we temporarily hold information to complete a task. Examples include doing mental math (such as calculating the number of quarters in $6.75) or paraphrasing a sentence we heard in our own words.
Long-term memory is our most permanent memory, allowing us to hold onto information for years or even decades. It is virtually unlimited, and falls into three types: procedural, semantic, and episodic.2
Procedural memory
This is the memory for skills and habits. It allows us to perform tasks such as riding a bike, playing an instrument, or typing on a keyboard, often without conscious thought once the skill is learned.
Learn more about Procedural memorySemantic memory
This is the memory for facts, concepts, and general knowledge. It helps us store information like the meaning of words, the capital of a country, or basic math. Semantic memory is what allows us to communicate and understand the world around us.
Learn more about Semantic memoryEpisodic memory
This is the memory for personal experiences and specific events. It allows us to recall moments from our lives, such as a birthday party, a trip to the beach, or what we had for breakfast yesterday. Episodic memory is deeply tied to our sense of self and identity.
Learn more about Episodic memory
Together, these three types of longer-term memory form the foundation of human cognition. They enable us to learn new skills, retain knowledge, and connect with our personal histories, creating a complete picture of how we experience the world.