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Running Head: MEMORY
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Memory
Student’s Name
Date
Instructor’s Name
MEMORY
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Introduction
Memory refers to the process of collecting information, storing it and recalling it in future. The
process of memory involves retaining information over a given period and usually means one
encoding a message, storing and preserving it. Later, the individual gets to recall the information
or past experiences. The three stages of memory formation which include encoding, storage and
retrieval give one the ability to use past experiences when determining a future path (Boundless,
2016). Memory is an essential part of our day to day lives and that we would not be able to
function properly or progress forward without relying on the information stored in our brains.
Encoding a memory starts when someone is born and continues until the individual passes on.
Also, before something develops into memory, one of our senses perceives the stimuli and then
relays it to the brain for interpretation and storage. The aim of this paper is to discuss how the
human brain processes information and the process of losing memory. Furthermore, the article
discusses the different types of memory using personal experiences.
The Process of Memory
As discussed earlier, the formation of memory involves three essential steps that include
encoding, storage and retrieval. When one or more of our natural senses picks up something
from the vicinity such as a person watching an event unfolding, the information gets stored in the
short term storage. After the event has come to an end, the information moves into the long-term
memory storage without the individual recalling the steps involved in the process. Also, most
important memories move quickly from the short to long term memory for a more permanent
storage (McLeod, 2013). This process happens through several steps that shall form the basis of
our discussion at this point.
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Encoding is the first step involved in creating a memory. At this stage, any information sent to
the memory system from a sensory input such as the ear undergoes transformation into a form
that the system can work with and store it for future use. The three broad ways involved in
transforming information include visual, acoustic and semantic encoding. In visual or
pictographic encoding, one records the appearance of an image; letter or item using their eyes
then sends this information to the brain for interpretation and storage (Zimmerman, 2014). When
the same person begins to repeat this information verbally then he is using the acoustic coding.
Research evidence shows that the acoustic or sound coding is the first coding in the short term
storage. Semantic coding or encoding by meaning is the primary system used in the long term
memory.
The next step is storage which involves creating a permanent record of the transformed
information so that we can maintain it over extended periods of time. This element is mainly
concerned with the storage location of the information, the duration and capacity of the stored
memory, and the nature of the information held in the system. Fundamentally, the method used
to store information affects the way we recall or retrieve it. Memory retrieval is the final step that
involves removing the information from the storage point and that anytime we seem unable to
remember something; chances are we cannot retrieve the memory (McLeod, 2013). The contrast
between the short and long term memory become apparent when one attempts to retrieve any
stored information. The short term memory gets stored and recovered in a given sequence while
the long-term memory stores and retrieves information through association.
Types of Memories
Memory can take different forms that depend on of the kind of information stored and the
duration of retaining the memory. The major types of memory are the short-term or working
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memory and the long-term memory that bases on the storage time. Others include visual and
episodic memory. Research indicates that the short term memory holds a few items, averagely
five to nine items for only twenty seconds (Boundless, 2016). However, these things can transfer
into the long-term memory via activities such as rehearsal. A good example of repetition occurs
when an individual repeats a phone number verbally before he gets a chance to write it down.
Unfortunately, when the persons get interrupted during the rehearsal process, he will quickly
forget the figures since it is only stored in the short term memory. Also, patients suffering from
short term memory are unable to recall who walked into the room five minutes ago but can
remember a childhood memory that occurred around fifty years ago.
On the other hand, long-term memory constitutes all the memories people hold for prolonged
periods exceeding twenty seconds. Incredibly, the long-term memory possesses a vast storage
capacity that can hold information from the time they are created until the person dies. There
exist some long term memories which include the explicit or declarative memory and the implicit
memory. The explicit memory requires one to make a highly conscious recall since it contains
information that undergoes a deliberate storage and retrieval process. Semantic memory is a
branch of clear memory where one states that are facts taken out of context (Zimmerman, 2014).
An example is when one says that Amsterdam is the capital of Netherlands. Another branch is
the episodic memory which is mostly derived from personal experiences such as a person
visiting Egypt and recalls seeing the pyramids.
The implicit or procedural memory totally contrasts the explicit memory as the process of storing
and retrieving information does not base on consciousness. Implicit memory stores information
based on implicit learning especially when one learns new motor skills. An example is when one
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tries to get to ride a bicycle. The process relies on implicit memory where the learner simply
remembers how to ride a bike excluding the element of consciousness.
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References
1. Boundless, (2016) “Introduction to the Processes and Types of Memory”.Boundless.com.
Retrieved from https://www.boundless.com/psychology/textbooks/boundlesspsychology-textbook/memory-8/introduction-to-memory-51/introduction-to-the-processand-types-of-memory-207-12742/
2. McLeod, S., (2013) “Stages of Memory: Encoding Storage and Retrieval”.
Simplypsychology.org. Article. Retrieved from
http://www.simplypsychology.org/memory.html
3. Zimmermann, K., (2014) “Memory Definition and Types of Memory”.
Livescienece.com. Article. Retrieved from http://www.livescience.com/43713memory.html