Psychology: Memory Processes, Types, and Rehearsal

A comprehensive vocabulary review of memory processes, memory stores (sensory, short-term, long-term), explicit versus implicit memory, and rehearsal strategies.

Memory

The process of encoding, storing, and retrieving information.

The Three Processes of Memory

Encoding, storage, and retrieval, without which individuals would not be able to learn from experiences or remember information.

Encoding

The process of changing information into a form that can be stored in the brain.

Visual Encoding

A type of encoding that involves remembering images.

Acoustic Encoding

A type of encoding that involves remembering sounds.

Semantic Encoding

A type of encoding that involves remembering meaning.

Storage

Keeping information in memory overtime.

Durations of Storage

The spans of time that memory storage can last, which include seconds, hours, days, years, or a lifetime.

Retrieval

Recalling stored information when it is needed.

Sensory Memory

A very brief store that holds information from your senses for a fraction of a second.

Capacity of Sensory Memory

Very large capacity.

Duration of Visual Sensory Memory

Lasts less than one second.

Duration of Auditory Sensory Memory

Lasts a few seconds for sound.

Role of Attention in Sensory Memory

If you pay attention, information moves to short-term memory; if you don't pay attention, it disappears almost immediately.

Short-Term Memory (STM)

A temporary store that holds a small amount of information for a short period of time.

Capacity of Short-Term Memory

About $7 \times 1 \pm 2$ items (about $7 \pm 2$ items).

Duration of Short-Term Memory

About $18-30\text{ seconds}$ without rehearsal.

Long-Term Memory (LTM)

A memory store that stores information for long periods.

Capacity of Long-Term Memory

Very large (possibly endless).

Duration of Long-Term Memory

Can last a lifetime.

Primary Encoding in Long-Term Memory

Information is mainly encoded by meaning (semantic encoding).

Declarative (Explicit) Memory

Memory that can be consciously recalled and verbally described, allowing you to intentionally recall this information.

Episodic Memory

Memory for personal experiences or events that happened in a particular time and place.

Elements of Episodic Memory

Details that usually include where it happened, when it happened, who was there, and your emotions.

Characteristics of Episodic Memory

Personal (autobiographical), conscious recall, often emotional, and different for every person.

Semantic Memory

Memory for facts, meanings, concepts, and general knowledge that are not linked to a specific personal event.

Characteristics of Semantic Memory

General knowledge shared by many people, learned through education or experience, and accessed via conscious recall.

Non-Declarative (Implicit) Memory

Memory that affects behaviour without conscious effort, usually demonstrated by performing an action rather than explaining it.

Procedural Memory

Memory for skills, habits, and learned action that become automatic once learned.

Characteristics of Procedural Memory

Automatic, learned through practice, difficult to explain in words, and usually performed without much thought.

Rehearsal

Repeating or working with information to improve memory.

Two Main Types of Rehearsal

Maintenance rehearsal and elaborative rehearsal.

Maintenance Rehearsal

Repeating information again and again.

Purpose of Maintenance Rehearsal

Keeps information in short-term memory.

Characteristics of Maintenance Rehearsal

Simple repetition that does not focus on meaning and often leads to short-term remembering only.

Elaborative Rehearsal

Thinking about the meaning of information and connecting it to existing knowledge.

Purpose of Elaborative Rehearsal

Helps transfer information into long-term memory.

Characteristics of Elaborative Rehearsal

Deep thinking that makes meaningful connections and produces stronger memories.

Maintenance Rehearsal vs. Elaborative Rehearsal

Maintenance rehearsal focuses on repetition to keep information active, whereas elaborative rehearsal focuses on meaning to store information in LTM.

Example of Encoding

Reading a definition and understanding its meaning.

Example of Storage

Remembering your birthday for many years.

Example of Retrieval

Remembering the answer to an exam question.

Example of Sensory Memory

Walking outside and seeing a bird fly past, where your eyes briefly hold the image of the bird.

Phone Number Example of Short-Term Memory

Remembering a phone number long enough to dial it.

Classroom Example of Short-Term Memory

A teacher says 'Remember the number $583914$', and you keep the number in your mind while walking to the board to write it down.

Examples of Episodic Memory

Your first day at school, your 13th birthday party, scoring the winning goal in a football match, your first time travelling on an airplane, remembering what you ate for dinner yesterday, your graduation ceremony, the day you met your best friend, or a family holiday to another country.

Examples of Semantic Memory

Knowing Paris is the capital of France, the earth revolves around the Sun, water freezes at $0^\circ\text{C}$, $8 \times 9 = 72$, and knowing the meaning of the word psychology.

Examples of Procedural Memory

Riding a bicycle, swimming, driving a car, typing on keyboard, tying your shoes, brushing your teeth, playing the piano, skating, catching a ball, using chopsticks, writing with a pen, and kicking a football.

Example of Maintenance Rehearsal

Repeating a phone number until you dial it.

Osmosis Example of Elaborative Rehearsal

Instead of memorising 'Osmosis', you understand its meaning, link it to plant cells, explain it in your own words, and draw a diagram.