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Understanding Memory Processes and Failures

Memory failure can occur during encoding, storage, or retrieval phases, with the cognitive perspective likening the mind to an information processor. Memory is categorized into sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory, each with distinct characteristics and capacities. Cue-dependent forgetting highlights the importance of retrieval cues in accessing stored information, making it a common type of memory failure.

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21 views2 pages

Understanding Memory Processes and Failures

Memory failure can occur during encoding, storage, or retrieval phases, with the cognitive perspective likening the mind to an information processor. Memory is categorized into sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory, each with distinct characteristics and capacities. Cue-dependent forgetting highlights the importance of retrieval cues in accessing stored information, making it a common type of memory failure.

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mulerseifu1
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Failure to remember can result from problems during any of the three phases of the

memory process (see Figure). If, for example, you encode a new item of information
only as a sound pattern, there would be no memory trace of its meaning. If both the
sound and the meaning were encoded and held for the length of the retention interval,
the item might have been misfiled in memory. If so, the item might be impossible to
retrieve even though it is still stored in memory.

- The cognitive perspective has dominated psychology‘s view of memory for the
past years although, in recent years, it has become integrated with
understanding of the neuropsychology of memory. Many cognitive psychologists
relate the mind to an information processor, along the lines of a digital computer
that takes items of information in; processes them in steps or stages, and then
produces an output.

The vast amount of information stored in LTM enables us to learn, get around in the
environment, and build a sense of identity and personal history.

1. Sensory Memory

 Type of Information: Raw sensory input (e.g., visual, auditory)


 Capacity: Large (can take in a lot of information from the environment)
 Characteristics: Very brief retention of sensory information
 Duration: Less than 1 second (visual), 2-4 seconds (auditory)

2. Short-term Memory (STM)

 Type of Information: Processed information from sensory memory, usually verbal or


visual
 Capacity: Limited (about 7 ± 2 items)
 Characteristics: Information is actively held and manipulated
 Duration: About 20-30 seconds without rehearsal

3. Long-term Memory (LTM)

 Type of Information: Well-processed and encoded information (facts, experiences,


skills)
 Capacity: Unlimited
 Characteristics: Information can be stored indefinitely, categorized into explicit
(declarative) and implicit (non-declarative) memory
 Duration: Potentially lifelong
[Link]. Cue Dependent Forgetting
Often when we need to remember, we rely on retrieval cues, items
of information that can help us find the specific information we‘re
looking for. When we lack retrieval cues, we may feel as if we have
lost the call number for an entry in the mind‘s library. In long-term
memory, this type of memory failure may be the most common
type of all. Cues that were present when you learned a new fact or
had an experience are apt to be especially useful later as retrieval
aids

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