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MEMORY
In psychology, memory is the process by which information is encoded, stored,
and retrieved. Encoding allows information that is 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.
- Storage is the second memory stage or process. This entails that we maintain
information over periods of time.
- Finally 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.
From an information processing perspective there are three main stages in the
formation and retrieval of memory:
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Encoding or registration: receiving, processing and combining of received
information
Storage: creation of a permanent record of the encoded information
Retrieval, recall or recollection: calling back the stored information in
response to some cue for use in a process or activity
Types of memory depending on the length of storage:
1. Sensory memory
2. Short-term memory
3. Long-term memory
1. Sensory memory - the part of the memory system which is the initial
contact for stimuli. Sensory memory is only capable of retaining information for a
very short period of time. This type of memory allows your eye to have a larger
field of vision by remembering images that your eye has already focused on. In
actuality, your eyes field of vision is quite small but because of sensory memory
you are able to remember stimulus your eye has already viewed.
There are many types of sensory memories.
Iconic memory is a fast decaying store of visual information, a type of sensory
memory that briefly stores an image which has been perceived for a small
duration.
Echoic memory is a fast decaying store of auditory information, another type of
sensory memory that briefly stores sounds which has been perceived for a small
duration.
2.Short-term memory- is the part of the memory system where information is
stored for roughly 30 seconds. Information can be maintained longer with the
use of such techniques as rehearsal. To retain the information for extended
periods of time; it must be consolidated into long-term memory where it can
then be retrieved. Short-term memory allows you to retain phone numbers from
an operator before and while you are dialing the number of interest. The capacity
of short-term memory is also limited. Most people can only store roughly 7
chunks of information plus or minus 2.
Modern estimates of the capacity of short-term memory are lower, typically of
the order of 4–5 items, however, memory capacity can be increased through a
process called chunking.
3. Long-term memory- term long-term memory refers to the unlimited
capacity memory store that can hold information over lengthy periods of time. By
saying "lengthy periods of time" we mean that it is possible for memories in LTM
to remain there for an entire lifetime. In addition, there are three types of
memories that can be stored in LTM: procedural memory, semantic memory, and
episodic memory.
The loss of memory is described as forgetfulness, or as a medical
disorder, amnesia.
Forgetting
-refers to apparent loss of information already encoded and stored in an
individual's long term memory. It is a spontaneous or gradual process in which
old memories are unable to be recalled from memory storage. Problems with
remembering, learning and retaining new information are a few of the most
common complaints of older adults.
Memory performance is usually related to the active functioning of three stages.
These three stages are encoding, storage and retrieval.