Memory

Memory

Memory is our ability to encode, store, retain and subsequently recall information and past experiences in the human brain.

Ryburn defines memory as “the power we have to store our experiences and to  bring them into the field of consciousness sometimes after the experiences have occurred” The process of memorization , can not be  viewed merely in terms of reproduction or revival of past experiences or learning. It is quite a complex process which involves factors like learning, retention, recall and recognition .

Memory is the sum total of what we remember, and gives us the capability to learn and adapt from previous experiences as well as to build relationships. It is the ability to remember past experiences, and the power or process of recalling to mind previously learned facts, experiences, impressions, skills and habits.

Mechanism or process of Memorization

}  Our mind possesses a special ability by which every experience or learning leaves behind memory images or traces which are conserved in the forms of engrams .

}  Thus what is learned leaves its after effect which is conserved in the form of engrams composed of memory traces. This preservation of the memory traces by our central nervous system  or brain is known as retention of the learned or experienced act

Factors / components of memory

Learning

Memory depends upon learning. It is not possible to keep memorized any thing without learning. Learning by understanding and learning mechanically have significance in learning.

Retention

Keeping the learnt things in the rain is its retention. If the retention power of a person is weaken, his related memory also weaken. There are found individual difference in the retention power 

Recall

Remembering a prior experience is its recall. Recall is such a mental process by which we bring to our present consciousness the past incidents and experiences without presenting a physical stimuli. 

Recall classified into two:

            Natural or Dispositional : Natural recall occurs by itself when we let the thought flow freely, any thought can come to the mind.  

            Reflective or Deliberative : here the thought occur to the mind on making effort.            Eg. student recall the answer pertaining to the question given to the question paper.

Recognition

It is a mental process by which an individual separates or distinguishes recognized objects and places from unknown objects and places from a new objects or places. Recognition is the completeness of memory

How Does Memory Work- An Information-Processing Model

• Encoding: the information gets into our brains in a way that allows it to be stored
• Encoding is based on perception and is the first step to creating a memory. The strength of the memory depends on how much attention is paid to the stimuli. During encoding memories are developed in the hippocampus by using the language of electricity and chemicals. When we create new memories with words and images it adds strength to our encoding abilities.
• Storage: the information is held in a way that allows it to later be retrieved. Storage is the process of retaining the information gathered in the initial stages of encoding.
• Memory storage is made up of three memory systems: sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory.
• Retrieval: reactivating and recalling the information, producing it in a form similar to what was encoded. Retrieval is the process of getting information out of memory. Retrieval cues are stimuli that can be used to help retrieve memories.  Priming is the process of identifying that lead to a memory

Types/ Kinds  of memory

• Habit Memory and True Memory: Habit memory is depends upon mere motor mechanism and the true memory depends on independent recollections
• Immediate memory : Here we learn and remember a thing for a short time and forget it
• Permanent memory:  Here retention is of a permanent nature. It is also known as stable memory. Here we memories things for a lifetime/long time 
• Rote memory: Here things are learned without understanding their meaning
• Active memory : when we are able to bring the past experience to the upper level of consciousness with effort , it is called active memory
• Passive memory : when our past experiences surface to the upper level of consciousness without any effort, it is called passive memory
• Logical memory: materials are learned with insight, understanding and logical thinking is known as logical memory
• Associate memory: Here the individual associate newly learned things so many related things existing in the memory and then establish a multiple connections

Characteristics of Good Memory

}  Immediate understanding

}  Immediate recall

}  Immediate recognition

}  Stability of recognition

}  Forgetting useless things