Memory – Lesson 1
How memory works: processes and types of memory
Learning objectives
• Define memory accurately.
• Explain encoding, storage and retrieval.
• Distinguish episodic, semantic and procedural memory.
• Apply the different types of memory to unfamiliar examples.
• Use accurate psychological terminology in exam questions.
Retrieval: Social Influence
• What is deindividuation?
• Give one example of antisocial behaviour caused by deindividuation.
• Which study investigated deindividuation and prosocial/antisocial behaviour?
• What is collective behaviour?
Memory challenge
• You have 30 seconds to remember as many words as possible.
• Do not write anything down yet.
Remember these words
Apple
Chair
River
Glass
Tiger
Pencil
Garden
Clock
Shoe
Candle
Train
Lemon
Window
Guitar
Cloud
How did you remember them?
• What did you have to do when you first saw the words?
• Where was the information once the words disappeared?
• What did your brain have to do when you wrote the words down?
The three processes of memory
ENCODING → STORAGE → RETRIEVAL
What is memory?
• Memory is the process by which information is encoded, stored and later retrieved.
Encoding
• Encoding is the process of converting information into a form that can be stored in
memory.
• Example: learning that Milgram's original obedience study involved 40 male
participants.
• Question: Why might you struggle to remember information if you read it without paying
attention?
Storage
• Storage is the retention of encoded information in memory over time.
• Information can be stored for seconds, minutes, days or years.
• Stored information does not have to be something you are currently thinking about.
Retrieval
• Retrieval is the process of accessing information that has previously been stored in
memory.
• Example: an exam asks how many participants were in Milgram's original study and
you remember '40'.
Quick check: which process?
• Sam reads that London is the capital of England for the first time.
• The information remains in Sam's memory for several years.
• Someone asks Sam the capital of England and Sam answers London.
• I learned my old phone number ten years ago and can still tell you it now.
Different types of memory
• What did you do on your last birthday?
• What is the capital of France?
• How do you brush your teeth?
• All three require memory – but are they the same type?
Three types of memory
• Episodic memory – personal events and experiences.
• Semantic memory – facts, meanings and general knowledge.
• Procedural memory – learned skills and actions.
• Memory aid: E = Events | S = Stuff you know | P = Procedures
Episodic memory
• Memory for personal events and experiences from your own life.
first day at school
last birthday
a holiday
sitting an examination
a conversation you had yesterday.
• Often includes details about where and when something happened.
• May include emotions.
• Example: remembering what happened at your birthday party last year.
Episodic or semantic?
• Knowing the date of your birthday.
• Remembering what happened at your birthday party last year.
• Are these the same type of memory? Explain why.
Semantic memory
• Memory for facts, meanings, concepts and general knowledge.
• Examples: Paris is the capital of France; Milgram studied obedience; knowing what
'conformity' means.
• Question: What semantic memories have you learned during Social Influence?
Procedural memory
• Memory for learned skills and actions – knowing how to do something.
• Examples: riding a bicycle, swimming, typing and tying shoelaces.
• Well-practised procedural memories can become relatively automatic.
Procedural or semantic?
• Knowing facts about how a bicycle works.
• Actually knowing how to ride a bicycle.
• Explain why these can involve different types of memory.
Scenario challenge
• Sarah remembers walking into primary school for her first day. Episodic
• James knows that water freezes at 0°C.
• Maya can play the piano without consciously thinking about every finger movement.
• Alex remembers feeling nervous before his GCSE examination.
• Priya knows that Milgram investigated obedience.
• Ben knows how to swim.
Harder scenarios
• Lucy knows that she was born in Bristol. What type of memory is this?
• Tom remembers his father teaching him how to ride a bicycle. What type of memory is
this?
• Explain your answer in each case.
Exam practice – 1 mark
• What is meant by retrieval? [1 mark]
Retrieval is the process of accessing information that has previously been stored in
memory.
Exam practice – 2 marks
• Explain what is meant by procedural memory. [2 marks]
Procedural memory is memory for learned skills and actions, such as knowing how to
ride a bicycle.
Exam practice – application
• Jack remembers his birthday party from last year. He remembers who attended and
that he felt embarrassed when everyone sang to him.
• Jack also knows that Paris is the capital of France.
• Identify the type of memory Jack is using in each example and explain your answers.
1. episodic, personal memory/event
2. Semantic, it’s a fact of general knowledge
Exam technique
• When a question gives you a scenario, apply the psychological concept to the details
given.
• Weaker: 'Episodic memory is memory for events.'
• Stronger: 'Jack is using episodic memory because he is recalling the personally
experienced event of his birthday party.’
Identify → Evidence → Explain
Identify: This is episodic memory.
Evidence: Jack remembers his birthday party.
Explain: This is a personally experienced event.
Plenary: memory dump
• Without looking at your notes, write or draw everything you can remember from today's
lesson.
• Include: processes of memory, types of memory, definitions and examples.
Final check
• What is the difference between encoding and retrieval?
• What is the difference between episodic and semantic memory?
• What is the difference between semantic and procedural memory?
• Remembering learning to ride a bicycle vs knowing how to ride a bicycle – what is the
difference?
Homework
• Create flashcards: Memory, Encoding, Storage, Retrieval, Episodic memory, Semantic
memory, Procedural memory.
• Each flashcard must contain a definition and one original example.
• Complete the exam questions set for this lesson.
Memory
Encoding
Storage
Retrieval
Episodic memory
Semantic memory
Procedural memory