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Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science pp 1–4Cite as

Multiple Memory Systems

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Synonyms

Declarative memory; Episodic memory; Implicit memory; Localization of memory substrates; Multiple memory systems theory

Definition

“Multiple Memory Systems” is a theory that is based on scientific and evolutionary evidence, which lead us to conceptualize memory, not as unitary system, but multiple systems that work independently, in synchrony, and/or in competition with each other.

Introduction

There are several memory systems, which have been identified (Poldrack and Packard 2003). Depending on the memory function(s) that are needed for the organism to encode, learn, maintain, or recall information, these systems are thought to be able to work independently, in unison/cooperation, or even compete with each other (Sherry and Schacter 1987).

They work independently when, for example, you are driving with memorized directions, given to you for a place in the city, while at the same time you are not forgetting the specific time that you have to attend an important meeting and you...

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References

  • Hsiao, S., & Chai, S.-E. (2003). Multiple memory Systems in the Brain. Acta Neurological Taiwan, 12, 169–176.

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  • Murray, E. A., Wise, S. P., & Graham, K. S. (2017). In the evolution of memory systems: Ancestors, anatomy, and adaptations. In The history of memory systems (pp. 3–38). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.

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  • Poldrack, R. A., & Packard, M. G. (2003). Competition among multiple memory systems: Converging evidence from animal and human brain studies. Neuropsychologia, 41, 245–251.

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  • Rabinowitz, A. R., & Levin, H. S. (2014). Cognitive sequelae of traumatic brain injury. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 37, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psc.2013.11.004.

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  • Sherry, D. F., & Schacter, D. L. (1987). The evolution of multiple memory systems. Psychological Review, 94, 439–454.

    Article  Google Scholar 

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus

    Marios Constantinou

Authors
  1. Marios Constantinou
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marios Constantinou .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA

    Todd K. Shackelford

  2. Rochester, MI, USA

    Viviana A. Weekes-Shackelford

Section Editor information

  1. University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus

    Menelaos Apostolou

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Constantinou, M. (2019). Multiple Memory Systems. In: Shackelford, T., Weekes-Shackelford, V. (eds) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_1094-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_1094-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-16999-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-16999-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Behavioral Science and PsychologyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences

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