1. What is primary memory? What are the characteristics of primary memory? Primary memory is known in layman’s terms as short-term memory. Primary memory is where information is stored when it is first obtained. It (primary memory) is also a staging ground for thought (Willingham, 2007). Willingham (2007) also states that primary memory “both retrieves information from secondary memory and takes in information from the environment” (p. 144). According to Willingham (2007), it may do this “for temporary maintenance or possibly for entry into secondary memory” (p. 144). Primary memory also has many characteristics. One of these characteristics is proactive interference. Proactive interference is a characteristic involving forgetting. With proactive interference, prior learning interferes with current learning (Willingham, 2007). Along with proactive interference, comes retroactive interference. With retroactive interference, new learning interferes with prior learning (Willingham, 2007). As an example, Willingham (2007) uses learning French as interfering with learning Spanish. In other words; “You are likely to remember less French if you’ve just finished studying Spanish” (Willingham, 2007, p. 154). According to Willingham (2007), another characteristic of primary memory is that it can be coded in three ways; “visuospatially, acoustically (in terms of sound), and semantically (in terms of meaning)” (p. 155). Willingham (2007) also mentions a possible fourth way of coding that has not yet been researched in detail; tactile memory (touch), or “how things feel on the skin” (p. 155).

2. What is the process of memory from perception to retrieval? What happens when the process is compromised? Beginning with perception, an experience is first put into working (primary) memory. Once in working memory, it is put through one of three filters;