Memory and Encoding Part 1

3 parts to memory

Encoding, storage, and retrieval

Encoding

Forming a memory code

Storage

Maintaining encoded info over time

Retrieval

Recovering info from storage

Forgetting

failure to do any of the 3 parts of memory, “tip-of-the-tounge phenomenon”

Attention

Focusing awareness on a narrowed range of stimuli

Divided attention

decrease in memory/task performance

Levels of processing

• How people attend to info (Craik and Lockhart 1972)

• Structural encoding

• Phonemic encoding

• Semantic encoding

Structural encoding

• Shallow

• physical structure

• ex. capitalization of letters

Phonemic encoding

• Intermediate

• Sound of words

• ex. naming or saying words

Semantic encoding

• Deep

• meaning of words

Levels of processing theory

Deeper levels of processing result in longer lasting memory codes

Self-reference effect

When people are asked to remember info and when it is related to themselves, the recall rate is imporved

Spacing effect

• We encode better when we study or practice over time

• Distribute practice/do not cram

Massed practice

Cramming