How memory functions in our conscious experience
As we transition from older, cognitively driven understandings of the brain to a neuroscience-based view of its functioning, it’s inevitable that various interpretations and contentions arise. This might intrigue physicists and theorists who lean heavily on intellect, but for those willing to sit with their experience, understanding transcends the need for categorization and dissection.
We know that genetic and personal memories remain with us throughout our lives. These memories persist, even after two days of uninterrupted sleep or during the altered states of a coma. On a daily basis, we actively recall information from this storehouse into our conscious experience for countless reasons. Simultaneously, some memories operate unconsciously—allowing, for example, the seamless daydreaming or conversing while driving, powered by procedural (muscle) memory.
Long-Term Store
All phylogenetic, epigenetic, and ontogenetic memories reside in what is called the long-term store (LTS). This system is the brain’s mechanism for managing, storing, and retrieving information over extended durations—spanning from days to a lifetime. It is foundational to identity, skill retention, and the accumulation of knowledge.
Conscious recall of LTS information is known as declarative or explicit memory. These are memories of facts and events, categorized as either episodic (personal experiences) or semantic (general knowledge). Meanwhile, implicit or non-declarative memory operates without conscious effort. This includes procedural memory, which governs skills and habits, as well as other conditioned responses.
Understanding the distinction between conscious and unconscious recall is essential because it explains how a conscious experience is “rendered” for a living organism.
Working Memory as Short-Term Store
Conscious experience relies on a "mental workspace" that holds information temporarily. This workspace is referred to as working memory (WM). Unlike LTS, which passively stores data, WM actively manipulates information.
It’s worth noting that the terms short-term memory (STM) and working memory (WM) are often used interchangeably—and inconsistently. In my view, WM has a broader scope, within which activated long-term memory functions as STM. This allows for the temporary retention of information while enabling its manipulation, facilitating complex cognitive tasks like language comprehension, reasoning, and learning.
Memory Formation
Encoding: The process of inputting information into memory.
Storage: The process of maintaining information in memory.
Retrieval: The process of accessing information from memory.
These processes serve as the foundation of memory dynamics and the table above shows how they differ for STS and LTS.
This is where I stop my research. I’m less concerned with the specific mechanics and nuances; for my understanding, it’s enough to recognize that in conscious experience, I retrieve information from LTS to “know” my surroundings. This knowing often carries associated “feelings.” Occasionally, new information that challenges old understanding can be manipulated and re-coded into LTS.
Source: Atkinson Shiffrin Memory Model
Sensory Memory
Sensory memory acts as a snapshot of raw sensory input, captured by our five senses—sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. This memory stage directly receives input from sensory receptors (e.g., eyes, ears, nose, skin), holding unprocessed sensory data before it is sent elsewhere in the brain for processing. Sensory memory is the first stage of memory and serves as a brief holding area before conscious recognition or recall.
While sensory memory retains raw data, attention is the gateway that moves selected information into working memory. Once in working memory, perception compares the data to known patterns, labels, and concepts stored in LTS. This massive repository enables recognition, making sensory input meaningful.
To transition sensory input into STM, we must pay attention. For instance, a strong scent, an unusual noise, or a shiny ornament might capture our focus, directing sensory data further into the memory system. Memory is not just a passive archive but a dynamic and interactive system. It enables us to know, feel, and navigate the world while continuously adapting through encoding, storage, and retrieval.
Whether it is the transient nature of sensory memory, the active workspace of working memory, or the enduring reservoir of long-term memory, these systems collectively render the conscious experience of life.
Reference
Norris D. Short-term memory and long-term memory are still different. Psychol Bull. 2017 Sep;143(9):992-1009. doi: 10.1037/bul0000108. Epub 2017 May 22. PMID: 28530428; PMCID: PMC5578362.
Atkinson, R. C., & Shiffrin, R. M. (1968). "Human memory: A proposed system and its control processes."
Baddeley, A. D., & Hitch, G. (1974). "Working memory." The psychology of learning and motivation.
