The evolution of multiple memory systems.

TLDR

Multiple memory systems have been proposed across cognitive psychology, neuropsychology, and animal learning, and are a common evolutionary outcome that enable organisms to acquire, retain, and retrieve diverse information to solve environmental challenges. The study investigates whether evolutionary considerations support the existence of such multiple memory systems. The authors argue that evolution of multiple memory systems requires functional specialization—termed functional incompatibility—such that each system’s problems cannot be handled by another, and demonstrate that this condition holds for several proposed memory distinctions. They illustrate functional incompatibility with examples from avian song versus spatial memory and human habit formation versus episodic memory, while noting that not all memory systems are highly specialized and discussing conditions that could allow a single system to serve a broad range of functions.

Abstract

The existence of multiple memory systems has been proposed in a number of areas, including cognitive psychology, neuropsychology, and the study of animal learning and memory. We examine whether the existence of such multiple systems seems likely on evolutionary grounds. Multiple systems adapted to serve seemingly similar functions, which differ in important ways, are a common evolutionary outcome. The evolution of multiple memory systems requires memory systems to be specialized to such a degree that the functional problems each system handles cannot be handled by another system. We define this condition as functional incompatibility and show that it occurs for a number of the distinctions that have been proposed between memory systems. The distinction between memory for song and memory for spatial locations in birds, and between incremental habit formation and memory for unique episodes in humans and other primates provide examples. Not all memory systems are highly specialized in function, however, and the conditions under which memory systems could evolve to serve a wide range of functions are also discussed. Memory is a function that permits animals and people to acquire, retain, and retrieve many different kinds of information. It allows them to take advantage of previous experience to help solve the multitude of problems with which their environment confronts them, such as how to recognize the familiar, predict events, return to particular places, and assess the consequences of behavior Recently the question has arisen as to whether the