CH- 6 HUMAN MEMORY
Memory (definition)
Memory refers to retaining and recalling information over a period of time,
depending upon the nature of cognitive task you are required to perform.
Three stages of Memory
1. Encoding
2. Storage
3. Retrieval
1. Encoding
- first stage of memory
- information is recorded and registered for the first time.
- some meaning is derived
2. Storage
- second stage of memory
- we hold and store information for a period of time
3. Retrieval
- we recover and recall the learnt / stored information.
The Stage Model /
Information Processing Approach
Given by Atkinson & Shiffrin
According to this, there are 3 memory systems:
1. Sensory memory
2. Short term memory
3. Long term memory
SENSORY MEMORY
Information stored in form of:
Iconic : visual image
Echoic: sound
Storage capacity = large
Duration = less than 1 second
Also known as Sensory Register
SHORT TERM MEMORY (STM)
Information that is attended enters STM:
STM holds small amount of information for brief time.
Storage capacity = small (5 + 2)
Duration = 30 seconds
Also known as Working Memory
LONG TERM MEMORY (LTM)
Information stored semantically (in terms of meaning)
It is permanent storehouse of information.
Storage capacity = unlimited
Duration = up to a lifetime (for days, months, years or lifetime)
Q. How does information travel from one memory system to another?
Ans – Through control process
Q. Explain the control processes used in STM?
Ans – Two control processes are used in STM:
a) Chunking
b) Maintenance rehearsal
a) Chunking – means to learn information in small groups or chunks.
Example -To learn Phone number of 10 digits, we divide it and learn in
chunks.
9818354861 --- 9818 354 861 (chunks)
b) Maintenance Rehearsal – simple repetition of information again and
again, so that we can remember it.
Example – If we want to learn a poem, we will keep on repeating it, until
I remember the poem.
Q. How does information travel from STM to LTM?
Ans – Through elaborative rehearsal
Elaborative rehearsal means learning information by:
- understanding meaning
- forming associations
- organization of the information
- analyze the information
Types of Long Term Memory (LTM)
1. Declarative Memory
- information related to facts, names, dates.
- Ex: rickshaw has 3 wheels, dog has 4 legs, India became independent
on 15 August etc.
2. Procedural Memory
- Procedure for doing various tasks and skills.
- Ex: how to ride a bicycle, how to make tea, how to play basketball etc.
3. Episodic Memory
- Biographical details of our lives
- Memories related to personal life experiences
- This memory is dated and the content is emotional in nature
- Ex: how did you feel when you stood first in class, how you celebrated
your 10th birthday etc.
4. Semantic Memory
- Memory of general awareness and knowledge.
- All conepts, ideas, and rules of logic are stored in semantic memory.
- Ex: meaning of ‘non-violence,’ remember that 2+6=8, the STD code of
New Delhi is 011.
5. Flashbulb memory
- Memories of events that are arousing or surprising
- They are like a photo taken from an advanced camera, we remember
them very clearly
- They are like images frozen in memory
- They are tied to particular places, dates, and times.
6. Implicit Memory
- Memory that we are not aware of.
- Memories that remain outside the conscious awareness of a person.
- But it affects our behaviour.
- It is a memory that is retrieved automatically.
- Ex: typing. We know letters on the keyboard but we cannot directly tell
what letters are there if the keyboard is left blank.