Memory and Attention and Intelligence - Research Paper Example

Memory, Attention, and Intelligence Human memory is generally grouped into three such as sensory memory, short term memory, and long term memory. The main function of the sensory memory is to act as buffers for stimuli that are received through senses. At the same time, short term memory works for the temporary recall of information under process. Apart from this, long term memory is used for the storage of information over a long period of time. “Attention is the cognitive process of selectively concentrating on one aspect of the environment while ignoring other things” (Furht, 2008, p.259). The power of memory and attention may vary from person to person depending on ones age, culture, and gender.

A breakdown of the assembly process of memory and lack of attention power are found as people get older. When people begin to age, their memory power becomes weaker and this condition can be directly attributed to the faltering of synapses. In addition, some parts of the brain like hippocampus which are very crucial to effective memory are highly vulnerable to aging. Moreover, as people get older, their brain shrinks itself and becomes less efficient. Similarly, cultural differences can influence the power of memory and attention to a great extent.

For instance, individuals from western cultures concentrate more on object based and self relevant events whereas individuals from eastern cultures focuses more on contextual details and similarities. Culture and attention also maintains a similar connection. To be specific, culture influences attention which in turn impacts other cognitive and social processes. Studies have proven that gender differences may also influence human memory and power of attention. Scholars opine that males have a better short term memory than females while females have a better long term memory than males.

Researchers opine that males stand one step ahead of females in the case of power of attention. Intelligence can be roughly defined as the mental ability of an individual to learn and apply knowledge to manipulate his/her environment as well as the ability to reason different events. According to Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory of Intelligence, intelligence is of three types such as analytical intelligence, creative intelligence, and practical intelligence (Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory of Intelligence).

Most of the researchers are of the opinion that an individual’s intelligence is greatly influenced by heredity and environment. Heredity has set an upper and lower limit on IQ and the environment determines where an individual’s IQ lies within these limits. Studies on adopted children show that they almost resemble their biological parents in intelligence. Environment also plays a vital role in determining the degree of intelligence of an individual. For instance, people from lower social classes may have fewer learning resources, less parental assistance, and less privacy for study.

Naturally, such people would not score higher rates on IQ tests. Finally, the intelligence influences physical, cognitive, and socio economic development of an individual. According to Bolton (1992), Galton’s studies on intelligence show that superior intelligence represents superior physical development of brain and body (p.367). Moreover, higher intelligence can greatly improve cognitive abilities of an individual and it would in turn enhance the socio economic development of the person. References Bolton, R. (1992). The Contest of Meaning: Critical Histories of Photography.

USA: Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Furht, B. (2008). Encyclopedia of Multimedia. USA: Springer. Intelligence tests. (n.d). Retrieved from http://users.ipfw.edu/abbott/120/IntelligenceTests.html