What is Memory

What is Memory

1. Encode

   • The process of putting information into digital format
     • Much information is stored in STM phonologically
     • Research has shown that memory for visually encoded information is better than phonologically encoded information
     • Some information is stored visually
   • Sensory Registers
     • the first stop for all sensory information
       • They are very large, but information stays for only a very short time
   • Auditory and Visual Registers
     • Auditory register holds echoes of sound
     • Visual register holds images, or icons, that represent all aspects of a visual image
   • Selective attention
     • Selects certain information for further processing
     • We normally pay attention to only a small portion of incoming information
   • Short-Term Memory
     • holds information we are aware of or thinking about at any given moment
       • Also refers to working memory
     • Research indicates that STM can hold 7+/- 2 bits of information
       • Larger amounts of information can be held by using the process of chunking
         • Information can be held in STM by using rote rehearsal, also called maintenance rehearsal

2. Storage

   • Hard drive
     • Vast amounts of information may be stored for many years
   • Everything that is learned is stored in long-term memory
     • Most information is encoded in terms of meaning or nonverbal images
   • Explicit memory
     • Memory for information we can readily express and are aware of having
   • Implicit memory
     • Memory for information that we cannot readily express and may not be aware of having

3. Retrieve

   • Accessing the hard drive