What is the definition of memory?

Memory refers to the processes that are used to acquire, store, retain, and later retrieve information. There are three major processes involved in memory: encoding, storage, and retrieval.

Encoding is the process by which we transform what we perceive, think, or feel into an enduring memory. Storage is the process of maintaining information in memory over time. Retrieval is the process of bringing to mind information that has been previously encoded and stored.

Memory can be divided into different types based on duration as well:

1. Sensory memory holds sensory information for a few seconds or less after an item is perceived. The ability to look at something and remember what it looked like with just a second of observation is an example of sensory memory.

2. Short-term memory (or working memory) holds a small amount of information in an active, readily available state for a short period of time (typically up to 30 seconds).

3. Long-term memory can store large quantities of information for potentially unlimited duration (decades in some cases). It includes things like facts, experiences, and skills that we've learned.

Memory is an essential component of cognitive functioning and is crucial for various cognitive tasks such as learning, reasoning, and language comprehension. It is a complex process that involves multiple parts of the brain, with the hippocampus, amygdala, and neocortex playing particularly significant roles in the consolidation and retrieval of long-term memories.