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Situational Memory

Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2007 9:03 pm
by Belgarath
So, I was thinking today. We all obviously know abuot the two parts of memory: long term and short term. I was thinking about a different usage of memory or storage of information. For now I will call it 'situational memory.'
*Disclaimer- I am not a brain expert, just talking about common knowledge*
The long term memory, used for names/faces/other things you see everyday holds info that can normally be recalled fairly quick. I'm Assuming this is because the things stored in your long term memory are more visible in your everday life.

Now the short term memory is best used, in my case, for cramming for tests/first time meeting someone/etc. This seems to be harder to recall because of the short association period.

Situational Memory, is something that may fit into long term but I haven't fully decided.

An example: My locker combination. I go to my locker ~6 times during the day. I never have to think about my combination, I just do it. This may be habit, but I'm not sure. My main point is that I couldn't tell you off the top of my head my locker combination. I use it multiple times everyday but I wouldnt be able to tell you without going to my locker and putting it in.

Another example is SRO password. I know, this is OTL but I'm going to mention SRO anyway. I cant tell you my password, but as soon as I get ingame, I can type it in seconds.

Anyway, /end story.

Any ideas/opinions/arguements? It would be appreciated.

Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2007 9:38 pm
by XemnasXD
cleary you are some kind of insane pork cow...and yet you make a small point. I don't think situational memory is deserves its own catagory though. I get what yoru saying but locker combos and passwords are just just become over time prepetitive actions. Its like certain things you do over and over again still you just become like a zombie about them. Personally i don't know if i can spell my own name because everytime i write it it turns into a little song in my head...without that soing i don't know if i'd be able to write it and yet i can't write it without the song. Its not memory at that point its just a repetitive action that you just get so used to doing in whatever situation your doing it in....all thats imo

Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2007 10:01 pm
by exality
+1 on the locker combo thing...but what about phone numbers...i couldn't tell you but a few phone numbers without my cell phone but there are some numbers i don't know unless i have a phone number pad in front of me

Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2007 11:36 pm
by LuV3r8o1
tl;dr

But yes, there is a such thing as "situational memory" - but its not called that. I can't remember the name. Go ask a neurologist or a psychologist.

Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 12:05 am
by Avalanche
matt you newb im not reading all that, summarize it for me lol