Memory

Memory
memory is an organism's ability to
store, retain, and recall information and
experiences.
It is a process which brings the past
experiences into a state of
consciousness and makes it living

Memory
Process by which information is:
Acquired
Encoding

Stored in the brain

Storage

Later retrieved
Retrieval

Eventually (possibly) forgotten

Definitions of Memory
Memory consists in remembering
what has been previously learned
Woodworth and Marquis

Factors of Memory

Learning
Memorising/remembering
Retention
Recall
Recognition

Favourable conditions of memory

/characteristics of good memory

Accurate and quick learning

Accurate and durable retention
Accurate and quick recall
Accurate and quick recognition
Serviceableness
Forgetting irrelevant things

Types of memory
Three types of memory
Sensory memory
Short-term memory (STM)
Long-term memory (LTM)
Can hold vast quantities of information
for many years

Information-Processing Model of Memory

Retrieval

Stimulus

Sensory
memory

Attention

Forgetting

Short-term
memory

Encoding

Long-term
memory

Forgetting
Forgetting

Sensory Memory/Immediate
memory

Stores all the stimuli that

register on the senses
Lasts up to three seconds

Two types

Iconic memory

Sensory
Input

Sensory
Memory

Visual
Usually lasts about 0.3
seconds

Echoic memory
Sensory memory for
auditory input that lasts
only 2 to 3 seconds

 Momentary in nature
Retentive time is only in seconds
Engrams are overwritten by other
stimulus
Eg. Remembering seat no. in cinema
hall

Memory
Short term memory
activated memory that holds a few items
briefly
look up a phone number, then quickly dial
before the information is forgotten

Long term memory

the relatively permanent and limitless
storehouse of the memory system

Short-term Memory
Limited capacity

Can hold 7 2 items for about 20 seconds

Maintenance rehearsal

The use of repetition to keep info in short-term memory

Long-term Memory
Once information passes from sensory to short-term
memory, it can be encoded into long-term memory

Retrieval

Sensory
Input

Encoding

Attention
Sensory
Memory

Working or
Short-term
Memory

Long-term
memory

Permanent memory
Input is very slow
Duration unlimited
Capacity unlimited
Retrieval depends on representation
and organization

We don't have to discard old items to

remember new items

 It is of two types
Explicit memory-long term memory
that involves deliberate or
conscious recall
Implicit memory-knowledge that we
are not conscious of recalling , but
influences behavior or thought
without our awareness

Long-term memory
Procedural (Implicit)
Memories of behaviors, skills, etc.
Demonstrated through behavior

Declarative (Explicit)
Memories of facts
Episodic personal experiences tied to places &
time
Semantic general knowledge
Semantic network

Factors influencing
memory
Meaningfulness and purposefulness of the
subject matter
Amount of material to be memorized
Will and determination to remember
Interest and attention
Repetition and practice
Provision for change and proper rest
Association
Grouping
Rhythm

Part 4
Improving Memory

Some Ways to Improve

Memory
Knowledge of Results: Feedback allowing you to check
your progress
Recitation: Summarizing aloud while you are learning
Rehearsal: Reviewing information mentally (silently)
Selection: Selecting most important concepts to
memorize
Organization: Organizing difficult items into chunks; a
type of reordering

More Ways to Improve

Memory
Whole Learning: Studying an entire package of
information at once, like a poem
Part Learning: Studying subparts of a larger body of
information (like text chapters)
Progressive Part Learning: Breaking learning task into
a series of short sections
Serial Position Effect: Making most errors while
remembering the middle of the list
Overlearning: Studying is continued beyond bare
mastery

Yet More Ways to

Improve Memory
Spaced Practice: Alternating study sessions with brief
rest periods
Massed Practice: Studying for long periods without rest
periods
Lack of sleep decreases retention; sleep aids
consolidation
Hunger decreases retention

A Last Method to Help

Memory
Mnemonics: Memory tricks; any kind of memory
system or aid
- Using mental pictures
- Making things meaningful
- Making information familiar
- Forming bizarre, unusual or exaggerated
mental associations