What is Memory?

The study of human memory has been a subject of science and philosophy for thousands of years. Memory is a dynamic mechanism associated with storing, retaining, and retrieving information. It's not just one thing but involves multiple processes and different types of storage.

The word "memory" has three primary definitions:

• Memory Store: A location where information is kept.
• Memory Trace or Engram: The thing that holds the contents of experience, where each memory is a different mental representation.
• Mental Process: The process used to acquire, store, and retrieve information.

Memory Stages

There are three main stages of memory processing:

• Encoding: Transforming sensory data into a mental representation. This involves receiving, processing, and combining information.
  • Encoding can occur through automatic processing (without conscious awareness) or effortful processing (requiring attention).
  • There are different types of encoding, including visual (images), acoustic (sounds, words), and semantic (meaning). Semantic encoding generally leads to better recall.
• Storage: Keeping encoded information in memory. This creates a permanent record of information.
• Retrieval: Pulling out or using information stored in memory. There are three ways to retrieve information: recall (accessing information without cues), recognition (identifying previously learned information), and relearning (learning previously learned information again).