memory system

any of several different kinds of memory that are hypothesized to be located in separate brain areas and employed primarily in different sorts of memory tasks. Examples of hypothesized systems include working memory (a temporary store used in manipulating information), semantic memory (general knowledge), episodic memory (memories of one’s personal past), and procedural memory (habits and skills). See also perceptual representation system.

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Psychology term of the day

November 16th 2024

antilibidinal ego

in the object relations theory of British psychoanalyst W. Ronald D. Fairbairn (1889–1964), the portion of the ego structure that is similar to Sigmund Freud’s superego. The antilibidinal ego constitutes a nonpleasure-gratifying, self-deprecatory, or even hostile self-image; it is posited to develop out of the unitary ego present at birth when the infantile libidinal ego (similar to the id) experiences deprivation at the hands of the parent and the infant suppresses his or her frustrated needs. Also called internal saboteur. See Fairbairnian theory.