Memory refers to the effect of past environmental events on present behavior. Psychologists have nothing interesting to say about it, because they have as many theoretical models as experiments on memory. Physiologists and neuroscientists might shed some light on the mechanisms that allow past events to affect present behavior. If you want to understand memory as a process, consult behavior analysts.

I would assume a Psychologist would look at memory and behavioural functions as more of a theoretical approach. For example memory to a psychologist is working memory, short term, long term, encoding, retrieval etc etc and explains in words what these consist of. Physiologists would look at memory and behavioural functions as bodily functions interacting to create memory, as well as mental/physical actions. Neurologists look at memory and behavioural functions as neurological functions as part of the nervous system, at a more literal level.

I'd say Psychology is theoretical approach, Physiology is between theoretical and literal, and Neurology is literal.

It is a very difficult question though, and each share inter-correlations.

Hi Wafa,

That is a very interesting question, and there is actually a target article at Behavioral and Brain Sciences right now that focuses on your questions. Some may argue that we can draw a clear line between those sciences, but we should not. Progress in treating mental illness requires effective collaboration between these disciplines. While many have talked about increased integration of these topics, it is still not common as it should be. While it is good to have the different perspectives from psychology, physiology, and neurology, the greatest impact comes from when these perspectives are considered together.

Indeed a very interesting question. Physiology has to do with normal function and not pathological of human organism, neurology by default deals with diseases and syndromes therefore with pathology of the human nervous system, and psychology mixes all this with sentiments, feelings, e.t.c. Indeed we cannot draw a clear line between them as all three give us different perspectives of the human brain and mind as a whole.

People with different knowledges and languages, without realy cooperation!

Thanks all for your valuable contribution. I greatly appreciate the time you've taken to share your knowledge with me.

Memory refers to the effect of past environmental events on present behavior. Psychologists have nothing interesting to say about it, because they have as many theoretical models as experiments on memory. Physiologists and neuroscientists might shed some light on the mechanisms that allow past events to affect present behavior. If you want to understand memory as a process, consult behavior analysts.

Hi, Wafa.

My take on your question is that we should consider the typical variables under measurement in studies on memory and the nature of each of the disciplines that you mentioned.

All studies about memory involve "psychological variables", simply because memory is a psychological process. Examples of those include overall performance in certain task, arousal status, subjective experiences, retention intervals, features of stimuli, etc.

There are many interesting examples of purely psychological studies on memory. However, some may inquire into or speculate about the biological substrate of the observed psychological process. That is where physiology (or, more precisely, neurophysiology) comes in. There are "neurophysiological variables" that are known to play a role in memory, such as drug agents, hormonal factors, lesions in brain structures or pathways, the cytoarchitectonic organization, ect.

Finally, neurology as a branch of medicine, would focus on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the nervous system that affect memory. On the other hand, neurology as a research area would study the nature of those disorders in order to improve clinical practice.

I hope that this admittedly tentative response would help.

R.Sosa

William M Baum,

Thank you for sharing your knowledge

Rodrigo Sosa,

Thank you for sharing your knowledge.