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The importance of memory -

It is almost impossible to overstate the importance of memory. Without knowing what we’ve done in the past, we cannot know what to do in the future.

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Complex processes -

The psychological processes involved in memory are complex and there are various models that experts use to analyze them.

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The five stages -

Some researchers break down memory into a process that involves five main stages: encoding, storage, recall, retrieval, and forgetting.

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The impact of external factors -

Each of these stages can be affected by a variety of external factors, and each of them has an impact on how well information is remembered.

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One of many frameworks -

The five-stages model is not the only way to think about memory, but it is a helpful framework when it comes to understanding the process that underpins how we learn everything.

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Stage 1 - encoding -

The first stage of memory–encoding–is all about converting information into a format in which it can be stored in our brains.

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Paying attention to information -

Encoding is what happens when you pay attention to information, such as the list of items on a shopping list, and you try to commit it to memory.

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Essential step -

It is an essential step in the process of memory, since it is what allows us to recall information at a later date.

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Different ways to encode - There are three main ways that information can be encoded: visually, acoustically, and semantically. If you encode visually, you remember things by picturing them.

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Acoustic encoding -

If you encode acoustically, by contrast, you remember things by repeating them to yourself.

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Long-term vs. short-term memory -

Research shows that the main encoding system for short-term memory is acoustic, whereas for long-term memory it is semantic (meaning).

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External factors -

Regardless of the technique, the process of encoding is always affected by external factors, such as stress or fatigue. If you try to memorize a shopping list when tired, for example, it is much more difficult than remembering it when you have a fresh mind.

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Stage 2 - storage -

The next stage in the memory process is storage. This refers to the act of keeping information in our memory banks so that we can access it at a later date.

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Mental representation -

When we store information, we are essentially creating a mental representation of that information in our minds. It can be either visual, auditory, or sensory.

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Different purpose -

There are two different types of storage: short-term memory and long-term memory. They each serve a slightly different purpose.

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Hours vs. weeks and months -

Short-term memory is used for those pieces of information that we will only need for a short time, perhaps a few hours, whereas long-term memory is for information we will need to recall after a few weeks or months.

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The question of capacity -

While the capacity of short-term memory is limited, the capacity of long-term memory is virtually unlimited. Information can be transferred from the short-term to the long-term memory, but the process is imperfect.

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Stage 3 - recall -

Next up, we have recall, which is the involuntary process of retrieving information from our memory. For this to occur, the information must already be encoded and stored.

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Two types of recall -

There are two different types of recall, which is essentially the process by which we ‘reexperience’ the event that was originally encoded in our memory system.

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Free recall -

On the one hand, there is free recall, which is what happens when we retrieve information without any external cues or prompts.

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Cued recall -

On the other, there is cued recall, which is what happens when we retrieve information with the help of external cues and/or prompts.

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External factors -

Again, the recall stage of memory can be affected by a variety of external factors, including the individual’s mood and emotional state.

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Stage 4 - retrieval -

Next up, we have retrieval, which also involves accessing the information that has been committed to memory. The difference with this stage of the process is that it’s intentional.

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Example -

For example, if you are trying to remember the name of someone you met at a party, you will need to retrieve that information from where it was encoded and stored in your memory.

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Using cues -

We often use retrieval cues to help ourselves find the information we are seeking. For example, if we are trying to remember someone’s name, we may refer to something that is unique about their appearance.

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Crucial step -

Retrieval is a crucial step in the formation of long-term memories, but our ability to do it is heavily influenced by factors such as stress and fatigue.

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Stage 5 - forgetting -

Finally, we have forgetting, which is the inability to retrieve information from memory. It is a completely normal part of the process and is not usually a cause for concern.

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Retroactive interference -

Again, there are two different types of forgetting. Retroactive interference is what happens when new information interferes with our ability to remember old information.

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Proactive interference -

Proactive interference is what happens when old information interferes with our ability to remember new information.

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Reasons we forget -

There are many reasons that we may forget information, such as not encoding it properly in the first place, or emotionally motivated problems with retrieval.

Sources: (Verywell Mind) (Psychology Today)

See also: Having memory problems? Try listening to music

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