PSY 352
Memory Loss
PSY 352: Cognitive Psychology
What is memory loss?
Our memory is a big function in how we operate and grow as individuals. What we retain
in our brains helps us be able to communicate effectively in our personal and professional lives.
“Memory loss is not a simple thing, and there are many factors at work when considering the
process of memory loss.” (Terra Vista Foundation, 2021). Unfortunately, with memory loss you
may not be able to remember new events, recall old events or even both. A lot of it depends on
the injury that caused the memory loss to happen, and it can impair daily living activities. There
are four types of memory known as sensory, short-term, working, and long-term.
Sensory memory is typically considered the shortest-term memory because it is only three
seconds and is caused from recalling sensory experiences. It is from seeing, hearing, or tasting
certain things that takes you back to a memory. Next is short-term memory loss which is when a
person cannot recall information that was just given to them and is typically the first symptom of
Alzheimer’s disease. Third, is working memory which helps us process thoughts and form
plans/ideas. It works with our short-term memory because it allows our brain to keep
limited information stored. Lastly, is long-term memory which is the process of memory moving
from sensory to short-term to long-term. These memories are considered from a few weeks to
early life. (Terra Vista Foundation, 2021).
When thinking about movies that features a character with memory loss a few have came
to mind. However, the one that intrigued me the most was the movie Finding Nemo. This movie
is about a clown fish who is extra cautious with his son Nemo, who happens to wander to close
Memory Loss
PSY 352: Cognitive Psychology
What is memory loss?
Our memory is a big function in how we operate and grow as individuals. What we retain
in our brains helps us be able to communicate effectively in our personal and professional lives.
“Memory loss is not a simple thing, and there are many factors at work when considering the
process of memory loss.” (Terra Vista Foundation, 2021). Unfortunately, with memory loss you
may not be able to remember new events, recall old events or even both. A lot of it depends on
the injury that caused the memory loss to happen, and it can impair daily living activities. There
are four types of memory known as sensory, short-term, working, and long-term.
Sensory memory is typically considered the shortest-term memory because it is only three
seconds and is caused from recalling sensory experiences. It is from seeing, hearing, or tasting
certain things that takes you back to a memory. Next is short-term memory loss which is when a
person cannot recall information that was just given to them and is typically the first symptom of
Alzheimer’s disease. Third, is working memory which helps us process thoughts and form
plans/ideas. It works with our short-term memory because it allows our brain to keep
limited information stored. Lastly, is long-term memory which is the process of memory moving
from sensory to short-term to long-term. These memories are considered from a few weeks to
early life. (Terra Vista Foundation, 2021).
When thinking about movies that features a character with memory loss a few have came
to mind. However, the one that intrigued me the most was the movie Finding Nemo. This movie
is about a clown fish who is extra cautious with his son Nemo, who happens to wander to close
