In: Psychology
Contemporary psychology (for some theorists) holds that our memory systems can be modeled after the modern-day computer. Using this model, one can say that the
human memory system has to translate incoming information into a meaningful code ("encode"), store the information, and retrieve the stored information at will, much like the operation of
a sophisticated computer. Is William James's notion of "memory" consistent with this modern day analogy? Why or why not?
In certain ways it can be claimed that the human memory resembes that of the computer storage system. For instance, some of the main characteristics of the human short-term memory is similar to the RAM system in a computer. Both have a limited amount of capacity. The long term memory on the other hand is similar to the hard drive in a computer in the sense that a lot more data/information can be stored in it. However, the difference which is essential to note at this point is that the data stored in a computer's memory is not likely to altered even an inch over years and years of storage, whereas in case of the human memory, they are likely to change with the alteing states of mind, mood, affect and circumstances. Similarly in case of a human brain it is a complicated set of neurons that control the encoding and retrieval of information in the memory system as opposed to a computer's memory system.
William James had essentially differentiated between the types of memory including primary and secondary, short andlong term memory. It was established that the short term memory was responsible for the current cognition whereas the long term memory was responsible consolidated pieces. Earlier it was established that both the short term and long term memory work in collaboration with one another, whereas recent research refutes the fact. This is because recent researches prove that the hippocampus and other related brain areas are segregated and highly different from that of the long term mechanisms. Also the fact that brain flexibility and neuroplasticity has been talked of, it is less likely that these specific functions are related to as separate yet related regions. In fact, they are highly linked and correlated. Both deal with the same sensorimotor representations.