MEMORY
In psychology, memory is the ability of an organism to store, retain and recall
information and experiences. Experts believe that memory is a complex brain-wide
process that does not only occur in one area of the brain. The process of memory begins
with encoding, then proceeds to storage and eventually retrieval.
Processes
Sensory memory: This is a type of memory in which something is perceived and stored
for a short time. This type of memory degrades very quickly, within a few milliseconds.
Iconic memory is a type of sensory memory that briefly stores an image which has been
seen for a short duration. Echoic memory is another type of sensory memory that briefly
stores sounds which have been heard for a brief duration.
Short-term memory
Short term memory allows recall for a period of several seconds to a minute without
rehearsal. The short term memory is rather limited. Most people can only hold 4 or five
numbers or items in their short term memories at a time.
Long-term memory
The long-term memory can store larger quantities of information than the short-term
memory for potentially an unlimited duration.
Recall memory: Recall memory occurs when people recall information from the long-
term memory.
Recognition memory
This means being able to recognize something you have seen before, for example being
able to identify familiar faces in a group.
Reasons for forgetting
1. Disuse: We forget because we do not use information or skills. Memory decays
over time.
2. Interference: Sometimes old information interferes with new information.
Another type of interference is when new information makes it difficult to recall
previously learned information.
3. Reorganization: This occurs when people do not really forget something, they
mix it up with other memories.
4. Repression: This is a psychological defense mechanism. Often people are
motivated to forget traumatic or disturbing events, and things associated with
them.
How do we help people to remember what they were taught?
a. Overlearning: this refers to making students repeat a skill or bit of information
many times. For example, when teaching children multiplication, teachers have
the children practice many sums.
b. Motivate the learners: People remember what they are motivated to remember.
c. Stress the usefulness of the skill or information
d. Use a variety of teaching methods, such as demonstrations, quizzes, tests,
reviews, discussions, etc.