CONCEPT OF MEMORY
Presented by-
Leemo Haisa
2nd semester
23-PSY-PG-00-012
Introduction.
An ability to store,retain,and recall information and experiances.
Definition:
• In Psychology, memory is an organism’s mental ability to store, retain and recall
information.
• Memory is the means by which we draw on our past experiences in order to use
this information in the present.( Sternberg, 1999).
• The ability to retain information or a representation of past experience, based
on the mental processes of learning( APA dictionary)
Memory is divided into different subtopics based on:
1. 3 Stages of memory.
2. Different memory systems for short and long period.
3. Different memory systems to store different kinds of information.
1. 3- Stages of Memory:-
i. Encoding:
Physical energy/ input is transformed into code that can be accepted into
memory
ii. Storage:
Store and retain the information.
iii. Retrieval:
Recover/ extract store information to solve problem and carry out tasks.
Human Memory
Sensory Memory Short-Term Memory Long-Term Memory
(<1 sec) (Working Memory) (Life time)
(< 30 sec)
Explicit Memory Implicit Memory
(Conscious) (Un Conscious)
Declarative Memory Procedural Memory
( Facts, Events) (Skills)
Episodic Memory Semantic Memory
(Events, Experiences) (Facts, Concept)
2. Memory based on duration:-
Atkinson- Shiffrin theory(1968) proposed 3 types of memory stores-
i. Sensory Memory
Large capacity.
Fades quickly, last for a fraction of seconds to a couple of seconds.
Important researches include- Sperling’s partial report procedure( 4.5 letters
max) and echoic memory(a couple of seconds).
ii. Short term memory( working memory)
Role in thinking and Problem- solving.
Limited capacity (5-9 items).
A few seconds to around 30 seconds.
Baddeley and Hitch Working memory model includes: Phonological loop,
visual- Spatial sketch pad, Central executive and episodic buffer(
multisensory).
Forgetting in working memory occurs due to decay and displacement by new
items.
iii. Long- Term Memory
Material that survive STM enter LTM.
Vast capacity and Permanent storehouse.
E.g. Remembering our Name, Date of Birth etc.
Types of Long term Memory:
a) Explicit Memory
It is the conscious, intentional collection of actual information. Previous
•
experiences and concepts.
• It is again of two types-
i) Episodic Memory
It is connected with the episodes and events which may consist of
personal events and experiences associated with ones life.
e.g. Describe an accident.
ii) Semantic Memory
Helps to recollect the relationship between events or association of
ideas.
e.g. Bike and Helmet, Drinking and Driving etc.
b) Implicit Memory
• It is a non-declarative Memory.
• Influences the thought or behaviour but does not enter consciousness.
i) Procedural Memory
Memory that enables to perform specific learned skills of habitual responses.
e.g. Tying of Shoe laces.
Why Do We Forget:
Sensory Memory
The senses momentarily register amazing detail.
Short Term Memory
A few items are both notices and encoded.
Long Term Memory
Some items are altered or lost
Retrieval from Long-Term memory .
Depending on interferences, retrieval cues, moods and motives, some
things get retrieved some don’t.
For instance, forgetting can occur at any memory
stage.
Brain structure Involved in Human Memory
Gradually Losing the ability to Remember
o Dementia
Progressive deterioration and impairment of memory, reasoning and other
cognitive functions occurring as the result of a disease or a condition.
o Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)
A Progressive disease that destroys that brain’s neurons, gradually
impairing memory, thinking, language and other cognitive functions, resulting in
the complete inability to care for oneself; the most common form of Dementia.
Factors influencing Memory
1. Intrinsic factors
• Will to Learn
• Interest and Attention
• Rest and Sleep
• Intelligence
• Age
• Medical Condition ( Hyper-tension, Hypothyroidism, Brain Tumour,
Alzheimer’s disease, Attention deficit, Hyperactivity disorder)
• Emotional factor- Anxiety, Fear, Stress etc.
2. External factor
• Meaningfulness of materials
• Amount of material
• Time required to Vocalise response
• Distraction
• Effective Teaching
How to Improve Memory
• Make the subject matter meaningful and organise it sequentially.
• Follow the Principle of Association.
• Utilise as many senses as possible.
• Self- recitation is helpful in the process of retention.
• Repetition and continuous practice.
Healthy Habits to improve Memory
• Regular exercises
• Good sleep habits
Conclusion
Memory Plays a very important role in our learning and psychological
growth. Through memory of our past experiences, we handle new
situations, it helps us in our relearning, problem solving and thinking.
Thank you
