memory process

Learning Objectives

In this lesson, the students will learn about

• What is memory?
• How does memory work?
• How is information processed, maintained and recalled by our brain?
• How to increase our ability to retrieve information?

What is memory? 

Memory is the process that is used to acquire, retain and retrieve information. It involves three domains: encoding, storage, and retrieval.

Encoding is processing incoming information so it can be entered into memory.

Storage is maintaining information in memory for a period of time. 

Retrieval is accessing or recalling stored information from memory so it can be used.

Encoding

This is the first stage of memory. It accumulates all the information from the surrounding and encodes or stores it in our brain.

Simply receiving sensory information is not enough for encoding. We need to attend to and process the input. Encoding that information occurs through automatic processing and effortful processing. 

Automatic processing occurs without any conscious awareness. For example, we mostly remember what we ate for dinner last night.

Effortful processing occurs when we consciously try to remember information. For example, learning for exams.

The information we intake from the world around us is processed in three different forms:

• Visual – Information is processed as a picture
• Acoustic – Information is processed as sounds
• Semantic – Information is processed by giving meaning to it

For example, if you look at a phone number on a billboard, you are using visual encoding. If you read it out loud, you are acoustically encoding. If you notice some of the digits represent something special, you give that number meaning and thus, semantic encoding. 

Storage

This is the second stage of memory.

After information enters the brain, it must be stored or maintained. Storage is the retention of information over time and creates a permanent record of the encoded information. Information is stored sequentially in the three memory systems – sensory, short-term, and long-term.

Sensory memory only stores information for a brief second. 

Short-term memory can hold information longer but is usually about 30-45 seconds.

Long-term memory can last a lifetime.

Retrieval 

This is the process of recalling stored information from memory. Basically, it is getting information out of your long-term memory and returning it to your conscious mind.

There are two main methods of retrieving memories: recognition and recall. 

• Recognition is the association of something with something previously experienced. It involves comparing new information with information stored in memory. It is initiated as a response to a sensory cue. For example, you are walking on a road and see a car you recognize from prior experience.
• Recall is the retrieval of information from memory without a cue. If a person asks you a question, you must search your memory to recall the answer. It involves remembering a fact, event, or other information that is not currently physically present. For example, when you go shopping you may have to recall the list of items you wanted to buy.

One of the ways you may increase the ability to retrieve memory is 'memory organization'. Information can be organized alphabetically, by time, by size, or by any other means, you deem fit. This helps to recall the information in a swift manner.