Takes minutes or hours and causes structural changes to the synapses.

Synaptic consolidation 

Takes months or years and is the gradual restructuring of neural circuits in the brain.

Systems consolidation

After a memory is retrieved, it becomes fragile again. Thus before it is put back into long-term memory it must be consolidated once again.

Reconsolidation

- Synaptic consolidation (late-phase long-term potentiation)
- Systems consolidation
- Reconsolidation

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

The process of memory going from an unstable state to a more stable, permanent one. 

Memory Consolidation

Wikipedia

Goldstein, E. B. (2014). Cognitive psychology: Connecting mind, research and everyday experience. Nelson Education.


Cognitive psychology: Connecting mind, research and everyday experience

The major method of consolidation. The process where the hippocampus replays events associated with a memory.

Reactivation

- The standard model of consolidation
- Multiple trace model of consolidation

Memory consolidation models

Memory consolidation processes

Long-term recall is improved when studying is broken up into many short sessions rather than long concentrated ones (memory consolidation is improved). 

Spacing effect

Memory is most vivid and enduring when the memory takes place during a period of rapid change and is followed up with long-lasting stability (leads to better encoding/consolidation).

Cognitive hypothesis

It is the opposite of spacing: studying in long concentrated sessions rather than many short ones.

Massing effect

Once information reaches long-term memory, it must be consolidated. This consolidation process occurs at two distinct stages: at the synaptic level, which takes a few hours, and into the broader memory system, which can take weeks or longer.

Learn Before

Related

Learn After