The Concept of Memory Processing - Essay Example

The Concept of Memory Processing Memory Memory is a practice, which is administered by multiple systems right through the brain. In other words, it is a mental process that comprises of attention, encoding retrieval, and many other factors as well. Working Memory The term working memory represents a brain system that provides short-term storage and exploitation of information essential for composite cognitive tasks such as learning, reasoning, and language understanding. The working memory requires instant storage and information processing. It is therefore, significantly crucial for language development and reading. The quality of input determines the quality of learning and problem solving. There are three fundamental phases in relation to effective use of working memory. The first phase is passing information correctly to the short-term area. Second phase involves handling the information, and the final phase is moving information to long-term storage and then using the information correctly to generate some kind of output. Short-term Memory Short-term memory is closely associated with working memory. It works as a receptionist for the brain. It is accountable for storing information momentarily and determines if it will be sacked or transferred on to long-term memory. Short-term memory helps an individual instantly by storing information. For example, if an individual is reading a paragraph then the short-term memory helps store information from beginning of the sentence so that he can make sense till the end of the paragraph. With age, the time period the short-term memory stores information decreases. Age and other clinical implications makes an individual more like to have trouble keeping up with certain tasks, like identifying which button to push to withdraw money form an ATM machine. It also gives brains lesser time to effectively pass new information to long-term memory, making an individual more likely to fail to remember details of current events. Short-term memory retrieves information by correlating new information to the information already present in the long-term memory. It retrieves information that is stored in the long-term memory, for example, if an individual is asked to write the name of his mother then he will retrieve it from the long-term memory. In addition, rehearsing information is also closely associated with short-term memory. Long-term Memory: This memory may last for a few days to several years. Long-term memory plays a very significant role in education where teachers help learners to store information in their long-term memory so that they could use the information later to effectively solve problems. There are three fundamental kinds of long-term memory namely: episodic, semantic, and procedural memory. Episodic Memory: it refers to an individual’s ability to recall personal experiences from his past. One can recount events that happened during childhood, or a movie the he saw last week. Semantic Memory: This kind of memory stores facts and general information. It may involve concepts, problem-solving skills, and rules, to name a few. While episodic memory is more associated with storing information as images, semantic memory stores information in terms of networks. Procedural Memory: it refers to the ability to memorize how to perform a particular task or how to employ a particular strategy. There are various steps involved in procedural memory task. When an individual receives information through procedural memory, he retrieves one step that triggers the next one and so on. 2.Test I took a short-term memory test on word list recall. It is a working/short-term memory test for verbal span. The main purpose of this kind of test is to allow a reader to remember what he hears or reads lengthy enough to utilize the information, either immediately or by transferring it to long-term memory. The test started when I clicked the start button, and there were 15 random words that flashed one at a time for one second each. I read all the words carefully without taking notes. However, once the test time ended, I was asked to write all the 15 words that were displayed just now. I could jot down 9 words and then compared them with the answer. In the result section, it was written that on a similar task, the average 20-years old remembers 7 out of 15 words, and average 80 years old remembers 4 out of 15. Well, it seems, I have a good short-term memory, as I got 9 out of 15. 3. Role of encoding and retrieval Encoding and retrieval are closely associated to each other. They denote the procedures of encoding and retrieving information to and from short-term memory (STM) and long-term memory respectively.  Encoding invokes linking new information to existing knowledge in order to make the new information more meaningful. The importance of this process depends on the degree with which fresh information can be linked or assimilated with current knowledge. Much encoding appeals to labeling thoughts with words, but graphic or other forms can also be used. Retrieval engages drawing on presented knowledge. It forms the foundation for all new knowledge.  Retrieval of previous knowledge during learning directly influences the amount of novel information processed. As far as my test and result is concerned, the words that flashed on the screen of my PC were familiar to me. All the words were already present in my long-term memory, and I just needed to encode the test words and retrieved them soon after taking the test. 4 variables associated with encoding information and ease of retrieval Encoding means gaining of knowledge – the primary form of a memory trace. It can be influenced by imagery, rehearsal, and meaningfulness, which are all utilized in working memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory. Typically, for an individual to recollect multiple things at a time, it requires rehearsal and retrieval, but in my memory test, I had to look at 15 words, each for a second, and then I had to recollect them and write on a piece of paper. Since the test I had chosen was based on short-term memory, I could not retrieve all the 15 words from the long-term memory, though I was familiar with the words – this is because I could see them just for a second. Encoding is also affected by the way it is presented. I experienced that I could remember the words that were typically displayed in the beginning and at the end, as my result shows the same. In addition, I also experienced that some words were unique among all the 15 words and I could well remember them as well while writing the words. Retrieval, on the other hand, can be affected by several factors including stress, emotions, interest, and arousal besides others. I could do well in my test because I was not stressed and I was interested in performing well in the test. Encoding also has direct or indirect effect on the retrieval of information. . References: Baddeley, Alan. (1993). Working memory. Retrieved from http://www.vcu.edu/cte/workshops/teaching_learning/2009_resources/Baddely.wkg.mem.Science.pdf Long-term memory. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://education.calumet.purdue.edu/vockell/edPsybook/Edpsy6/edpsy6_long.htm Encoding and retrieval. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.muskingum.edu/~cal/database/general/encoding.html Read More