The Short and Long Term Memory of Infants

Paper Summary:

This paper analyzes the literature regarding long term and short term memory in infants, focusing on infants aged 6-12 months. The paper hypothesizes that short and long term memory is evident in infants and that evidence of this will exist in some infants, while it will not exist in others. The paper also looks at the role that environment plays in determining the retention of memory.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Methodology
Literature Review

From the Paper:

"Bergman, Mahler and Pine (2000) conducted research in relation to infant memory and have concluded that the events that occur within an infant's life not only can be recalled, but are the basis for personality development throughout life (p. 6). This information is based on a theory of the infant-mother relationship in which Bergman, Mahler and Pine (2000) stipulate serves as the foundation of all memory in infancy and supports cognitive development consistently (p. 6). The researchers have concluded that it is this relationship that will indicate whether or not the person has later psychological issues that must be addressed and this relationship that affects how the person will ultimately function in the world. This research, however, is limited because it only provides for a comparison of theories that are then evaluated to support the research concept and it draws conclusions about infant memory that are not based on actual data from the observation of participants."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bergman, A., Mahler, M., and Pine, F. (2000). The psychological birth of the human infant: Symbiosis and individuation. New York: Basic Books.
• Gul, R., Ryalls, B., and Ryalls, K. (2000). Infant imitation of peer and adult models: Evidence for a peer model advantage. Merrill-Palmer Quarterly. 46(1): 188-196.
• Piaget, J. (1954). The construction of reality in the child. New York: Basic Books.
• Stern, D. (1985). The interpersonal world of the infant: A view from psychoanalysis and developmental psychology. New York: Basic Books.
• Vygotsky, L. (1987). The collected work of L. S. Vygotsky, Vol. 1: Problems of general psychology. New York: Plenum Press.

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