Memory

Memory involves encoding, storage and retrieval of information. All information entering the brain passes through sensory memory and enters short- term memory (STM). Information is then either transferred to long-term memory (LTM) or is discarded. Memories include past experiences, knowledge and thoughts.

Sensory memory retains all the visual and auditory input received for a few seconds. Only selected images and sounds are encoded into short-term memory.

• displacement (pushing out old information by new info) 2. decay (the breakdown of a memory trace when neurons are not activated)

Chunking: Organizing items into familiar, manageable units e.g. phone number becomes 3 ‘chunks’ rather than 11 individual digits.

Primacy (first and in ltm ) and recency (most recent and in stm) - items at the start or end of a list are remembered best Called the Serial Position Effect

STM has a limited capacity and holds information for a short time. The capacity of STM can be improved by ‘chunking’.

STM can also process data, to a limited extent, as well as store it. This ‘working memory model’ explains why the STM can perform simple cognitive tasks.

Items can be retained in STM by Rehearsal: Repeating something over in your mind or out loud Reduces chance of decay

Rehearsal is regarded as a shallow form of encoding information into LTM. Elaboration is regarded as a deeper form of encoding which leads to improved information retention.

Contextual cues relate to the time and place when the information was initially encoded into LTM.

LTM has an unlimited capacity and holds information for a long time.

Adding meaning to information to encode into ltm

Organising information into related categories to encode into the LTM