Summary Psychology Notes: Memory- Key Concepts & Theories

Psychology - Memory
1. Definition of Memory
Memory is the process by which we encode, store, and retrieve information.


2. Stages of Memory

a. Encoding
 Transforming sensory input into a form the brain can store.
 Types: Visual, Acoustic, Semantic

b. Storage
 Maintaining information over time.
 Types of storage: Sensory Memory, Short-Term Memory (STM), Long-Term Memory
(LTM)

c. Retrieval
Accessing stored information when needed.


3. Types of Memory

a. Sensory Memory
 Very brief (less than a second for visual, 3–4 seconds for auditory)
 Example: Iconic (visual) and Echoic (auditory) memory

b. Short-Term Memory (STM)
 Duration: 15–30 seconds
 Capacity: 7 ± 2 items (Miller, 1956)
 Improved by chunking and rehearsal

c. Long-Term Memory (LTM)
 Potentially unlimited capacity and duration
 Subtypes:
 - Explicit (Declarative): Semantic (facts) & Episodic (events)
 - Implicit (Non-declarative): Procedural memory, Priming, Conditioning