Remembering and Forgetting

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Memory is the mental system that receives, encodes, stores, and retrieves information. It allows us to retain past experiences and use them when needed. For example, remembering your friend's name or …

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The three main processes are: 1. **Encoding** – converting information into a form the brain can process. 2. **Storage** – retaining the encoded information over time. 3. **Retrieval** – accessing sto…

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Encoding is the process of transforming sensory input into a form that can be stored in memory. It involves how we pay attention to and organize information. For example, when you read a new word, you…

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Storage refers to the retention of encoded information over time. It is like saving a file on a computer. The brain stores information in different systems—sensory, short-term, and long-term memory—de…

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Retrieval is the process of accessing stored information when needed. It’s like opening a saved file. If retrieval fails, we experience forgetting. For example, trying to recall a friend’s birthday fr…

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Sensory memory is the first stage of memory that briefly holds sensory information from the environment—like sights, sounds, and touch—for less than a second. It acts like a snapshot. For example, the…

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Short-term memory (STM) holds information for about 20 to 30 seconds without rehearsal. It has a limited capacity—about 7 ± 2 items. For example, remembering a phone number just long enough to dial it…

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Short-term memory can hold approximately 7 ± 2 items at a time. This can be increased by chunking—grouping information into meaningful units. For example, remembering a phone number as 987-555-1234 in…