Memory
Memory
• Memory is the ability to retain information over time
through three processes: encoding, storing and retrieving.
• Encoding
– Refers to mental representations of information so that it can be
placed into our memories
Memory
• Storing
– Storing is the process of placing encoded information into
relatively permanent mental storage for later recall
• Retrieving
– The process of getting or recalling information that has been
placed in long term or short term storage
Memory
• Three different types of memory
– Sensory memory
– Short term memory
– Long term memory
• Sensory memory
– Refers to an initial process that receives and holds
environmental information in its raw form for a brief period of
time
Memory
• Short-term Memory
– Can hold only a limited amount of information for only a short
period of time
– Seven items, 2-30 second
• Long-term Memory
– Process of storing almost unlimited amounts of information over
long periods of time
Memory
• Memory Process- graph
• Sensory memory- must pay attention or else memory is forgotten
– If you do pay attention it moves on to short term memory
• Once in short term memory, items must be encoded or else they
will be forgotten within 30 seconds
– If you do encode the information it moves onto long term memory, where it
will stay for a relatively permanent basis
Sensory Memory
• Iconic memory
– A form of sensory memory that automatically holds visual
information for about a quarter of a second or more; as soon as
you shift your attention, the information disappears
• Echoic memory
– Holds auditory information for 1-2 seconds
Short-term Memory
• Two main features of short term memory
• Limited duration
– Items only stay for 2-30 seconds
– Maintenance rehearsal- intentionally rehearsing or repeating information so
that it remains in short term memory
• Limited Capacity
– Generally only seven items remain in short term memory
– Chunking
Long-Term Memory
• Unlimited capacity to store information
– May not always be able to retrieve the memory
• Declarative memory- memories for facts or events, such as
stories, conversations, daily events
– We are aware that we are recalling
– Semantic and episodic
Long-Term Memory
• Procedural or non-declarative memory
– Memories for motor skills, some cognitive skills, and emotional
behaviors
– We can not recall or retrieve these memories
Encoding
• Acquiring information or storing information in memory by changing
this information into neural or memory codes
• Automatic encoding
– Transfer of information without any effort and usually without any
awareness
• Effortful encoding
– Transfer of information either by working hard to repeat or rehearse or by
making associations between new and old information