MEMORY

Chapter 5. Our Memory. Since We Obviously Know How It Works.

Truthfully though, we never give it much thought, but what is our memory anyway? The inner workings of our memory, is what we’ll talk about today.

So, first things first. We all know what memory is for: Memorizing. Or else, why would it be called our ‘memory’? However, how do we ‘memorize’ and ‘remember’? Well, in memory, there are three key processes. The first is Encoding, which involves forming a memory code. It's like the process of recording a video, where you take a video of the event that's happening. Next is Storage, which involves maintaining encoded information in memory over time. So, it means taking that video you recorded and save it in the, well, storage! The final process is Retrieval, which involves recovering information from memory stores. Again, it's just viewing the video from the storage.

There is another way to memorize the three key processes in memory. Think of our memory as a computer. Here’s an image to help:

I personally prefer using the video example, but both examples are free to use.

Let’s now get into what the three key processes of memory are. Let’s start off with encoding. Basically, encoding is getting information into memory. As stated above. It's not over yet, though. Like all seemingly not complicated things, there are actually a few levels of encoding. Specifically, there are three types of encoding levels. There is Structural, which is also called Shallow Processing. Phonemic, which is Intermediate Processing. And Semantic, which is Deep Processing.

Before elaborating further, here’s another picture to help.

So, when encoding, our attention, our focusing awareness and our divided attention are very important. The more you pay attention, the deeper the processing, and that allows us to have longer lasting memory codes. Basically, if you pay attention, you'll remember things much easier.

As such, we’ll start with explaining the structural encoding level, also known as shallow processing. The picture above actually explains much better than any words I can provide. So, an example, that isn’t already used in the picture provided, for this is: Imagine passing by a statue that was recently built in a park but not paying much attention to it. Hours later, when asked by someone if you’ve seen the statue at the park, you’ll probably have no idea what they’re talking about since you have paid absolutely no attention to it. However, you would have an inkling that you DID in fact walk pass something that resembled a statue, although you have no idea if it was or what it looked like. And that’s shallow processing.

Next up is the phonemic encoding level, or intermediate processing. Using the previous example, you paid attention to the statue this time when you went to the park, and now you know that the statue is of a dog. This time you now know it is a statue, and it is of a dog. Intermediate processing means that you recognized and have labeled the object, although you have no idea why the statue is of a dog, or why was it there in the first place.

Lastly it is the semantic encoding level, or deep processing. Again, using the previous example, you asked around and now you know the dog statue is symbolic to the dog that lived around the park and died helping a citizen from a robber who stole their bag, and so a statue was built in memory of the brave dog. Deep processing means that you have attached a meaning to the object to recall it better.

So now you know what encoding is, how do you enhance it? There is Elaboration, to link a stimulus to other information at the time of encoding. An example would be thinking of examples when asked to describe a term. Say, your friend might not know what the word 'adamant' means. So when you want explain it, you'll probably not know what the proper definition is for adamant. It's okay, though. No one ever does.

Anyway, back to the point. Since you don't have a definition, you'll end up elaborating, saying that adamant is to describe personality, when someone is stubborn and doesn't want yield. We've probably done this a few times trying to explain a certain word to someone. But by elaborating, you'll be able to encode things better because you understand.

Another way is using Visual Imagery, which is the creation of visual images to represent words to be remembered. This is easier for concrete objects, like describing an object, let’s say a ball, you will create an image of the ball you want to describe. If this helps any, whenever someone says 'dog', my mind will conjure up the image of my own dog back at home. It's a male brown miniature poodle, if you were wondering at all. This in particular is called the dual-coding theory.

So now we've learned about encoding. Now, we learn Storage. It means maintaining information in our memory. Think about it like a computer which stores information in hard discs. Likewise, we store our information in human memory. But again, there are different types for this. For maintaining memory, there are three types. 

One of them is Sensory, which is somewhat like shallow processing. You retain information in its original sensory form for only an instant. This happens most of the time. We always walk past things without really noticing. And then if asked, you'll be like: "Wait. I passed by three bakeries already?" Even though you were kinda looking for a bakery in the first place. Maybe you'll have a slight recognition that you smelled something like pastries while walking along the streets, thinking of the hundreds of chores you have to do at home, but you won't know you actually walked past them.

...No, it did not happen to me. Not at all. Nope.

...Moving on, we have Short-term memory, which is when you have paid attention to whatever, and it lasts about 20 seconds without rehearsal in your head. Rehearsal is basically (repeatedly) thinking about the information. You know, we do this all the time too! For those monstrosities we call exams and finals and stuff. Never good times. In short term memory, we usually use a technique called chunking, which chunks together familiar stimuli for storage as a single unit, which in turn helps us remember better. If that still doesn't ring a bell for you, just imagine a storage closet as the 'storage' and the boxes of items you're carrying to the closet is the 'information'. Remembering. In chunks.

Another term for short-term memory is working memory, however some says that working memory has a separate meaning from short-term memory, which is the processes used for temporarily storing and manipulating information. It's confusing for sure, but we'll go with the 'short-term memory is working memory' for now. From Baddeley (1986), there are three components of working memory. There is the Phonological Rehearsal Loop, which is activated when one uses recitation (repetition) to temporarily hold onto information. It's a complicated term, but this is basically just rehearsal, only this is the process that activates when rehearsing. Next is the Visuospatial Sketchpad, which allows temporary holding and manipulation of visual images. This one is a complicated term too, but I think it's easier to remember. I mean, it's literally just 'visual spatial sketchpad'. But for more clarity, try mentally rearranging the furniture in your bedroom.

Congratulations! You just activated your visuospatial sketchpad. If you actually did mentally rearrange the furniture in your bedroom, then that entire process is the entirety of the visuospatial sketchpad. If you didn't, then too bad for you. Or you're just that smart.

Although, if you physically went to rearrange the stuff in your bedroom then, er, sorry to say this but that wasn't necessary. But hey! Look on the bright side; you've got a whole new room now.

Okay, enough of that. Now, it's the Executive Control System, it basically decides if you want to think about the information or not. A good example for this is when you weigh the pros and cons of something. But honestly, this one kind of speaks for itself, too. And a lot more clearer. I mean, the word 'executive' there should hint you on the fact that this component is the leader. The boss. The central system.

...I'll stop now.

And actually, there’s actually one more component called the episodic buffer. The episodic buffer is like the buffer that is displayed when loading a video from YouTube. It is activated when all of the other three components are activated, and through the episodic buffer the information is transferred into the long-term memory. Like uploading a video into YouTube!

Okay. Now that the previous two is done, we can finally move on to Long-term, which is pretty much a hard disc, but with unlimited storage. It is not permanent storage though, as sometimes when certain information are not used, or recalled back, in a long time, you only get bits and pieces of what you want to recall. It's like an old drawer that's stuck pretty tight, and then when finally opened it, it's just a slight opening where you can only reach in and grab the things that can actually be pulled out. This is called Flashbulb Memories.

And now, we shall proceed to memory construction! Basically, memory construction is filtering information and filling in the missing pieces of information in our memory. However, it is not always the truth, as we might incorporate misleading information into one’s memory of an event. This is called the Misinformation Effect. There is also something called Source Amnesia, which is attributing to the wrong source of an event that we experienced, heard about, read about, or imagined. It is also called misattribution. There’s also the repression (comes from the word repress) of memories. It means the person buries the memories that caused them anxiety, in any way, shape or form, from their consciousness as a defense mechanism. There’s another thing called False Memory Syndrome, which is a condition in which a person’s identity and relationships center around a false but strongly believed memory of traumatic experience.

This video from Youtube might explain things a lot better:

When going into memory and memorization, naturally two things will come to mind. First is remembering, and the other one is forgetting. When you learn something, and if not revised on it, sooner or later you’ll start to forget. Here’s a picture of the Forgetting Curve by Ebbinghaus.

So, here’s the question: Why DO we forget?

Well, there are a few reasons. Let’s start with forgetting as an encoding failure. Simply put, when encoding from our short-term memory into our long-term memory, if the encoding process fails, naturally it would lead us to not memorizing, or as said, we will forget. It's like studying for a History test where you're trying to memorize all the gosh-darn dates but you hate the subject. You can read it all just fine, but you're brain just isn't in the mood to help you stuff that information in your head. Or at least, that's what I THINK an example of forgetting as an encoding failure is. 

Next, there is forgetting as a retrieval failure. The same can be said vice versa, if we fail to retrieve from our ‘storage’, then we will forget. This is simple enough. After that, there is forgetting as interference. However, unlike the last two, this one is slightly more complicated. Or, a lot more complicated depending on our brain’s processing skills. There are two types of interferences. This first is Proactive Interference, which is a memory retrieval problem that occurs when older information prevents or interferes with the retrieval of newer information. In simpler terms, it is the old triumphs over the new. Then there's Retroactive Interference, which is a memory retrieval problem that occurs when newer information prevents or interferes with the retrieval of older information. In other words, it is the new overriding the old.

Now, memorizing that may be a problem since ‘retro’ sort of means ‘old’, so some people tend to stick with the logic that “Retro means old, so Retroactive Interference means we remember the old information over the new one.” Of course, according to the above, that is not the case.

So, instead of ‘Retro means old, so we remember old’, let’s go with ‘Retro means old, so we’ll forget old’. That should make memorizing this much easier. In fact, it could had made me learn this so much easier, too. Why must everything be so confusing?

That aside, there is still more to forgetting as an interference. There is Motivated Forgetting, where people unknowingly revise memories because they don’t want them, whether they do it consciously or not. Makes you wish that we can do that willingly. All the things I would rather forget...

And there is also Repression, which is already explained above in memory construction. No, I am not going to re-write what is repression. You can just scroll up again, or go to Google. I mean, that usually works.

Moving along, we have the systems and types of memories. Honestly, there’s not much to say about this since that kinda says it all. There is Declarative vs. Procedural (Non-Declarative), which means factual information that you can describe and information you cannot describe respectively. An example for declarative would be knowing ‘A’ is the first letter of the alphabet, a fact. An example for procedural would be knowing how to ride a bike. And there is Semantic vs. Episodic, which are both under declarative. Semantic Memory is for general knowledge, while Episodic Memory is for personally experienced events.

And of course, there is Prospective vs. Retrospective, in which are much simpler to remember than Retroactive and Proactive Interference since they would mean what they actually mean. Thank you World for having the words what they mean again! Anyway, Retrospective Memory involves remembering events from the past, which is previously learned information. Like those memories you most likely want to forget. Good times, huh? Prospective Memory involves remembering to perform actions in the future. Like trying to remember to do the chores assigned to you, even though you forget them later on. That's why I create checklists...

And that's pretty much it. Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post and I hope it actually helps with memorizing all the terms. Because only God knows when we stop creating difficult new terms for us to remember.