MEMORY

 

MEMORY

 

The ability of an organism to record information about things or events with the facility of recalling them later at will. Memory is the ability to take in information, store it, and recall it at a later time.

The Memory Process

In psychology, memory is broken into three stages: encoding, storage, and retrieval.

1.      Encoding (or registration): the process of receiving, processing, and combining information. Encoding allows information from the outside world to reach our senses in the forms of chemical and physical stimuli. In this first stage we must change the information so that we may put the memory into the encoding process.

2.      Storage: the creation of a permanent record of the encoded information. Storage is the second memory stage or process in which we maintain information over periods of time.

3.      Retrieval (or recall, or recognition): the calling back of stored information in response to some cue for use in a process or activity. The third process is the retrieval of information that we have stored. We must locate it and return it to our consciousness. Some retrieval attempts may be effortless due to the type of information.

Problems can occur at any stage of the process, leading to anything from forgetfulness to amnesia. Distraction can prevent us from encoding information initially; information might not be stored properly, or might not move from short-term to long-term storage; and/or we might not be able to retrieve the information once it’s stored.

 

 

Types of Memory

Sensory Memory

Sensory memory is our shortest form of memory. It's very fleeting - no more than a flash. Sensory memory allows individuals to retain impressions of sensory information after the original stimulus has ceased Sensory memory acts as a buffer for stimuli received through the five senses. These images are accurately retained, but only for a brief moment in time, typically less than half a second.

Sensory memory is not involved in higher cognitive functions like short- and long-term memory; it is not consciously controlled. The role of sensory memory is to provide a detailed representation of our entire sensory experience for which relevant pieces of information are extracted by short-term memory and processed by working memory.

There are three main subcategories of sensory memory

Iconic Memory

This refers to immediate visual memories. Iconic Memory is also very, very fleeting. Its how the brain remembers an image you just saw moments ago. Say something flashed on your computer screen for less than a second. Your brain will "remember" what it saw very briefly, even after the image is gone. Beyond the 0.5 second mark, anything you "remember" goes on to short-term memory.

Echoic memory

Sometimes referred to as auditory sensory memory, echoic memory pertains to audio memories. Overall, echoic memories are stored slightly longer than iconic memories: about four seconds. If you hear a few notes of a melody, you may able to hum it back immediately after it finishes. However, if you were asked for the melody again in a few minutes, you may be unable to remember it unless it transferred to short-term memory.

Haptic memory

This refers to memories involving the sense of touch. Just like with iconic and echoic memory, haptic memory is equally fleeting. If you run your hand over a rough surface, you'll remember the exact sensation you felt for a few seconds. After that, the memory needs to be encoded into short-term memory for later recall

 

Short-Term Memory

Short-term memory is also known as working memory. It holds only a few items (research shows a range of 7 +/- 2 items) and only lasts for about 20 seconds. However, items can be moved from short-term memory to long-term memory via processes like rehearsal. An example of rehearsal is when someone gives you a phone number verbally and you say it to yourself repeatedly until you can write it down. If someone interrupts your rehearsal by asking a question, you can easily forget the number, since it is only being held in your short-term memory.

Long-Term Memory

Long-term memories are all the memories we hold for periods of time longer than a few seconds; long-term memory encompasses everything from what we learned in first grade to our old addresses to what we wore to work yesterday. Long-term memory has an incredibly vast storage capacity, and some memories can last from the time they are created until we die.

There are many types of long-term memory. Explicit or declarative memory requires conscious recall; it consists of information that is consciously stored or retrieved. Explicit memory can be further subdivided into semantic memory (facts taken out of context, such as “Paris is the capital of France”) and episodic memory (personal experiences, such as “When I was in Paris, I saw the Mona Lisa“).

In contrast to explicit/declarative memory, there is also a system for procedural/implicit memory. These memories are not based on consciously storing and retrieving information, but on implicit learning. Often this type of memory is employed in learning new motor skills. An example of implicit learning is learning to ride a bike: you do not need to consciously remember how to ride a bike, you simply do. This is because of implicit memory.

 

Loss of Memory or Forgetting

Even with all these sophisticated and complicated cognitive pathways that our brains have developed to retain information, we still forget and lose information.  There are many theories behind this, but the 2 main ones are:  information decay (the less you use it, the less you can recall) and interference (learning new information inhibits recall of old information).

STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVE MEMORY

            These research-proven strategies can effectively improve memory, enhance recall, and increase retention of information.

1.         Focus Your Attention is one of the major components of memory. In order for information to move from your short term memory into your long-term memory, you need to actively attend to this information. Try to study in a place free of distractions such as television, music, and other diversions.

2.         Avoid Cramming-Research has continuously shown that students who study regularly remember the material far better than those who do all of their studying in one marathon session.

3.         Structure and Organize- Researchers have found that information is organized in memory in related clusters.Try grouping similar concepts and terms together, or make an outline of your notes and textbook readings to help group related concepts.

4.         Utilize Mnemonic Devices- Mnemonic devices are a technique often used by students to aid in recall. A mnemonic is simply a way to remember information. For example, you might associate a term you need to remember with a common item that you are very familiar with. The best mnemonics are those that utilize positive imagery, humor, or novelty. Come up with a rhyme, song, or joke to help remember a specific segment of information.

5.         Elaborate and Rehearse- In order to recall information, you need to encode what you are studying into long-term memory. One of the most effective encoding techniques is known as elaborative rehearsal.An example of this technique would be to read the definition of a key term, study the definition of that term, and then read a more detailed description of what that term means. After repeating this process a few times, you'll probably notice that recalling the information is much easier.

6.         Visualize Concepts- Many people benefit greatly from visualizing the information they study. Pay attention to the photographs, charts, and other graphics in your textbooks. If you don't have visual cues to help, try creating your own. Draw charts or figures in the margins of your notes or use highlighters or pens in different colors to group related ideas in your written study materials.Sometimes even just making flashcards of various terms you need to remember can help cement information in your mind.

7.         Relate New Information to Things You Already Know.-When you're studying unfamiliar material, take the time to think about how this information relates to what you already know. By establishing relationships between new ideas and previously existing memories, you can dramatically increase the likelihood of recalling the recently learned information.

8.         Read Out Loud- Research published in 2017 suggests that reading materials out loud significantly improves​ your memory of the material.³ Educators and psychologists have also discovered that having students actually teach new concepts to others enhances understanding and recall. Use this approach in your own studies by teaching new concepts and information to a friend or study partner.

9.         Pay Extra Attention to Difficult Information- Researchers have found that the order of information can play a role in recall, which is known as the serial position effect.While recalling middle information can be difficult, you can overcome this problem by spending extra time rehearsing this information. Another strategy is to try restructuring what you have learned so it will be easier to remember. When you come across an especially difficult concept, devote some extra time to memorizing the information.

10.   Vary Your Study Routine- Another great way to increase your recall is to occasionally change your study routine. If you're accustomed to studying in one specific location, try moving to a different spot during your next study session. If you study in the evening, try spending a few minutes each morning reviewing the information you studied the previous night.By adding an element of novelty to your study sessions, you increase the effectiveness of your efforts and significantly improve your long-term recall.

11.   Get Some Sleep- Researchers have long known that sleep is important for memory and learning. Research has shown that taking a nap after you learn something new can actually help you learn faster and remember better.

12.   Eat Brain Boosting Food- Here's a sampling of some of the best foods to fuel the brain. Fatty Fish, Eggs , Berries, Avocados, Kale - Kale, and other green leafy vegetables.

13.   Draw mind map