How The Memory Functions
Memory - is the process to encode, store and retrieve information over different periods
of time
- Encoding → Storage → Retrieval
Encoding - the input of information into the memory system(how we get info into our
brains)
- This occurs once we receive sensory information from our environment, our
brains then label and code it
- Occurs through automatic processing and effortful processing
- Automatic Processing: encoding details of time, frequency and meaning, it is
done without conscious awareness
- Effortful Processing: requires work and attention in order to encode the
information
Ex: Remembering material for a test
Types of Encoding
Semantic Encoding - encoding of words and their meaning
- Deeper level of processing than visual or acoustic encoding
- Best process verbal information through semantic, especially due to
self-reference effect
- Self-Reference Effect: Tendency for an individual to have better memory when
the informations relates to themselves
Visual Encoding - encoding of images
Acoustic Encoding - encoding of sounds(words in particular)
Storage
Storage - the creation of withholding a permanent record of information
- For memory to go into storage it needs to go through the 3 stages: Sensory,
Short-Term and Long-Term Memory
- These stages first proposed by Richard Atkinson and Richard Shiffrin(1968)
- These psychologist put together the ‘Atkinson and Shiffrin Model’ which is based
on the belief that we process information similar to a computer
(Rehearsal) ↶
Sensory Input → Sensory Memory → Short-term Memory → Long-term Memory
(Information not (Information not
transferred is lost) transferred is lost)
, - Another model for memory storage is by Baddley and Hitch(1974), in which they
proposed a model that demonstrates short-term memory having different forms
- The memory files all have different limits of information
- Memories stored in 3 short-term systems: visuospatial sketchpad, episodic
buffer and a phonological loop
- Central part of memory controls the flow of information and central is
responsible for moving information into long-term memory
Sensory Memory - storage of brief sensory events, up to a couple seconds
Ex: sights, sounds, tastes, textures
- Ex: Trying to recall what your Professor was wearing in class.
Short-Term Memory - temporary storage that processes incoming sensory memory
- component of working memory
- Rehearsal: takes information from sensory memory and sometimes connects it
to something in long term memory
● During rehearsal you practice the information to be remembered, if you
repeat it enough it can be transferred to long-term memory
● Craik and Lockhart(1972) propose the idea that the deeper you think of
something, the more likely you are to remember it
- short term memory lasts 15 to 30 seconds
- Memory trace decay and interference can affect short term memory retention
- Decay: memory trace become less effective over time(forgetting)
- Interference: previously learned information interferes with gaining new
information
Long-Term Memory - continuous storage of information, possibly unlimited
- Can remember things that happened more than a few minutes ago
- Mosly triggered by association within memories
- Spreading Activation - activating memory can activate linked concepts
Ex: Driving home taking a rocky route, but remembering there was a better way
to get home.
- Two types of long-term memory:
- Explicit Memories: memories we consciously try to remember
Ex: Taking a test and remembering what you studied.
- Episodic and Semantic memory
Memory - is the process to encode, store and retrieve information over different periods
of time
- Encoding → Storage → Retrieval
Encoding - the input of information into the memory system(how we get info into our
brains)
- This occurs once we receive sensory information from our environment, our
brains then label and code it
- Occurs through automatic processing and effortful processing
- Automatic Processing: encoding details of time, frequency and meaning, it is
done without conscious awareness
- Effortful Processing: requires work and attention in order to encode the
information
Ex: Remembering material for a test
Types of Encoding
Semantic Encoding - encoding of words and their meaning
- Deeper level of processing than visual or acoustic encoding
- Best process verbal information through semantic, especially due to
self-reference effect
- Self-Reference Effect: Tendency for an individual to have better memory when
the informations relates to themselves
Visual Encoding - encoding of images
Acoustic Encoding - encoding of sounds(words in particular)
Storage
Storage - the creation of withholding a permanent record of information
- For memory to go into storage it needs to go through the 3 stages: Sensory,
Short-Term and Long-Term Memory
- These stages first proposed by Richard Atkinson and Richard Shiffrin(1968)
- These psychologist put together the ‘Atkinson and Shiffrin Model’ which is based
on the belief that we process information similar to a computer
(Rehearsal) ↶
Sensory Input → Sensory Memory → Short-term Memory → Long-term Memory
(Information not (Information not
transferred is lost) transferred is lost)
, - Another model for memory storage is by Baddley and Hitch(1974), in which they
proposed a model that demonstrates short-term memory having different forms
- The memory files all have different limits of information
- Memories stored in 3 short-term systems: visuospatial sketchpad, episodic
buffer and a phonological loop
- Central part of memory controls the flow of information and central is
responsible for moving information into long-term memory
Sensory Memory - storage of brief sensory events, up to a couple seconds
Ex: sights, sounds, tastes, textures
- Ex: Trying to recall what your Professor was wearing in class.
Short-Term Memory - temporary storage that processes incoming sensory memory
- component of working memory
- Rehearsal: takes information from sensory memory and sometimes connects it
to something in long term memory
● During rehearsal you practice the information to be remembered, if you
repeat it enough it can be transferred to long-term memory
● Craik and Lockhart(1972) propose the idea that the deeper you think of
something, the more likely you are to remember it
- short term memory lasts 15 to 30 seconds
- Memory trace decay and interference can affect short term memory retention
- Decay: memory trace become less effective over time(forgetting)
- Interference: previously learned information interferes with gaining new
information
Long-Term Memory - continuous storage of information, possibly unlimited
- Can remember things that happened more than a few minutes ago
- Mosly triggered by association within memories
- Spreading Activation - activating memory can activate linked concepts
Ex: Driving home taking a rocky route, but remembering there was a better way
to get home.
- Two types of long-term memory:
- Explicit Memories: memories we consciously try to remember
Ex: Taking a test and remembering what you studied.
- Episodic and Semantic memory
