Psycholinguistics:

Types of Memory
What is Memory and Why It Matters in Psycholinguistics?
Memory is the mental process of storing, encoding, retaining, and retrieving information. It helps
individuals remember what they learn, experience, hear, or say. The process of memory includes three
main stages:
1. Encoding: Changing sensory input into a form the brain can store
2. Storage: Keeping the encoded information for short or long periods
3. Retrieval: Bringing stored information back into awareness when needed
In psycholinguistics, memory plays a central role in language learning, comprehension, production,
and problem-solving. It helps learners store vocabulary, remember grammar rules, retrieve correct
words during speech, and understand spoken or written language in real-time.

Here are the 7 types of memory:

1. Sensory Memory
2. Short-Term Memory (STM)
3. Long-Term Memory (LTM)
4. Procedural Memory
5. Episodic Memory
6. Semantic Memory
7. Implicit Memory

1. Sensory Memory
 Definition: The very first stage of memory where sensory information (sight, sound, touch) is
briefly stored for a few milliseconds to a few seconds
 Role in Language: Holds auditory or visual input momentarily while we decide to process or
ignore it
Real-Life Example Description
Hearing your name in a crowd You immediately turn around before processing anything
else
Seeing a flash of words on screen You briefly hold them in visual memory
Echo of a sound You recall the last few words someone just said
Glimpsing a sentence Catching part of a sentence while scrolling
Visualizing a page Remembering the shape or layout of a word in a book
Seeing someone mouth words You capture lip movements briefly
Noticing a signboard while walking A word sticks momentarily before being forgotten
Glancing at class notes Quickly absorbing structure before writing it down
Hearing background chatter Capturing sounds without focusing
Sound of a teacher's last word Remembering it long enough to write it down
Watching a PowerPoint transition Image stays briefly in your mind
Observing facial expressions in You catch emotions before words register
speech

2. Short-Term Memory (STM)

 Definition: Temporarily stores small amounts of information for a few seconds to a minute
 Role in Language: Holds words or phrases during sentence processing or speaking
Real-Life Example Description
Repeating a phone number You hear 0345-5678912 and repeat it quickly before dialing
Listening to a sentence Ali went to the market and... you hold the sentence until it is complete
Memorizing names briefly Meeting 5 people and trying to remember their names for a short time
Repeating vocabulary Hearing a new word like photosynthesis and repeating it aloud
Following verbal Turn left, then go straight and take the second right
instructions
Remembering list of You recall milk, eggs, bread without writing it down
groceries
Echoing a word Someone says serendipity and you immediately repeat it
Holding an unfamiliar Hearing The cat, which was black and furry, jumped over the lazy dog
sentence
Retaining a question to Teacher asks What is the capital of Japan and you hold the question
answer before replying
Reading aloud You read The sky is blue and hold that info momentarily
Reciting a poem line You quickly say Twinkle twinkle little before moving to the next line
Trying to memorize an House 54, Street 7, Block C, Lahore for a few seconds
address

3. Long-Term Memory (LTM)

 Definition: Stores information permanently with large capacity
 Role in Language: Vocabulary, grammar rules, facts, language fluency
Real-Life Example Description
Knowing your mother tongue You do not need to relearn Urdu or English daily
Remembering a poem from 9th class English Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening even after
textbook years
Using correct grammar He goes instead of He go without thinking
Recalling old stories You remember a folk tale from childhood
Recognizing words You instantly understand words like apple or
teacher
Telling your address You always remember 123-B, Main Road, Okara
Spelling familiar words Words like school, friend, or language
Remembering idioms Break the ice means starting a conversation
Quoting religious verses Reciting Ayats from memory
Telling someone your phone number Stored in long-term memory
Remembering proverbs Honesty is the best policy
Explaining a grammar rule You know what a passive voice is

4. Procedural Memory (Subtype of LTM)

 Definition: Memory of how to do things automatically such as forming sentences or using
grammar rules
 Role in Language: Helps with automatic use of rules and speech patterns
Real-Life Example Description
Typing without looking Fingers know where the keys are
Speaking fluently You say I am going home without planning grammar
Riding a bicycle You do not consciously think how to pedal
Playing piano You play chords automatically
Writing in cursive You do not think of each stroke
Using past tense You say walked without recalling the rule
Applying subject-verb agreement She eats not She eat
Brushing teeth Done without thinking
Making tea You follow the steps unconsciously
Driving a car You shift gears automatically
Reading fluently Your eyes and brain coordinate smoothly
Pronouncing familiar words You do not pause to say computer

5. Episodic Memory (Subtype of LTM)

 Definition: Memory of specific events and experiences
 Role in Language: Recalling conversations, classroom events, personal speech experiences
Real-Life Example Description
Recalling your first speech Remembering how nervous or excited you were
Remembering a conversation Yesterday Ali told me he is going to Islamabad
Describing your last birthday Who was there and what was said
Sharing what you studied yesterday We discussed Skehan’s Approach on 27th May,2025
Recalling a joke someone told you You laugh again thinking about it
Remembering your viva day Questions answers and environment
Storytelling Once my friend slipped while speaking English
Discussing a dream Last night I dreamt of presenting at a conference
Remembering teacher’s feedback You explained well but your tone was fast
Sharing childhood event In grade 2 I forgot my lines in a speech
Talking about a seminar you attended They discussed multilingualism
Recalling your first language class Who was the teacher and what was taught

6. Semantic Memory (Subtype of LTM)

 Definition: General knowledge and meanings not linked to personal experiences
 Role in Language: Knowing vocabulary, grammar rules, and language facts
Real-Life Example Description
Knowing the meaning of justice A concept not tied to personal experience
Understanding the term noun General linguistic knowledge
Knowing that Paris is the capital of France World knowledge
Defining photosynthesis Factual science info
Knowing synonym means similar word Linguistic concept
Understanding tenses Past present future as learned info
Recalling what a simile is As brave as a lion
Knowing grammar rules Do not use double negatives
Understanding global warming General topic knowledge
Knowing the parts of speech Noun verb adjective etc
Remembering the definition of linguistics A scientific study of language
Knowing the alphabet A B C etc

7. Implicit Memory (Also called Non-Declarative Memory)

 Definition: Memory that is not consciously recalled but influences actions and thoughts
automatically
 Role in Language: Helps with language habits, accents, and automatic responses
Real-Life Example Description
Saying thank you automatically You respond without thinking when someone gives you
something
Smiling while greeting Habitual and automatic response
Understanding sarcasm You do not analyze but you just get the tone
Picking up accent Speaking with a regional accent unconsciously
Finishing others’ sentences Your brain predicts the rest of a familiar phrase
Responding to greetings Hi is instantly followed by Hello or How are you
Using polite phrases Automatically saying excuse me or sorry
Recognizing familiar voice tones You respond differently to angry vs happy tones
Using fillers like um or uh Done unconsciously while thinking
Answering questions like name You say your name without effort
Reacting to native language You feel the meaning before analyzing it
insults
Giving directions You explain without planning each word