According to the modal model of memory introduced by Richard Atkinson and Richard Shiffrin (1968), there are three types of memory: sensory memory, short-term memory (STM), and long-term memory (LTM). Sensory memory is the initial stage of memory which holds all incoming information for seconds or fractions of a second. STM is the second stage to memory which holds five to seven items for about 15 to 20 seconds. And LTM is the last stage of memory which can hold a large amount of information for years or even decades (Goldstein, 2015 p. 121).
STM is the system that is involved with storing small amounts of information for a brief period of time according to Baddeley (2009) as cited by Goldstein (2015). Although many downplay the importance of STM due to the brief duration that it holds information, it is responsible for a great deal of our mental life (Goldstein, 2015 p. 127). STM is believed to be a critical contributor to essential cognitive functions and properties such as language, comprehension, learning, planning, reasoning, and general fluid intelligence (Goldstein, 2015). Thus, short-term memory loss presents tremendous barriers to overcome.
Frankie Muniz, child actor who is most famous for his role as Malcolm in Malcolm in the Middle experiences severe memory loss after suffering multiple concussions (Adebowale, 2019). Muniz has suffered from a total of nine concussions in his lifetime with the first one occurring at age 7 (Adebowale, 2019). In 2012, he had a mini-stroke, and then had a second attack less than a year later (Adebowale, 2019). Although the timing of when Muniz started losing his memory is unclear, in 2017 he opened up about his short-term memory loss.
Although Frankie Muniz acted on Malcolm in the Middle for 6 and a half years, he cannot remember most of the time he spent on set. This is just one of the many side effects of short-term memory loss. If short-term memory loss becomes severe, then it becomes difficult for individuals care for themselves. This means that a caregiver is needed in order to survive. As you can see, short-term memory is more important than you think.
To recap, there are three types of working memory: sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory. Although many only perceive long-term memory as important, all 3 types of working memory are crucial to our mental life. As you can see, short-term memory loss has many different side effects that make living life difficult.
Work Cited
Adebowale, T. (2019, October 4). Frankie Muniz opens up about his severe memory loss. Men’s Health. Retrieved October 14, 2021, from https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/a29365398/frankie-muniz-memory-loss/.
Atkinson, R. and Shiffrin, R. (1968) The multi-store model of memory
Goldstein, E. B. (2015). Cognitive psychology: Connecting mind, research, and everyday experience. Cengage Learning.