Memory

This week we learned about memory. Memory goes through three stages: Encoding, Storage, and Retrieval. In encoding, the brain determines if information is important to remember. If not, this information is discarded within minutes of hearing it. If the brain decides that the information is important, the brain stores this information, either as short term, long term, or sensory memory. Once this memory is stored, the information can be later accessed through retrieval. Retrieval of information is easier to recognize than it is to recall information in any given situation. For instance, if you are given a list of numbers to remember, you will have a higher correct percentage if you are given a list of numbers to choose from. If you are asked to recall the numbers, the likelihood of remembering the numbers better than recognizing the numbers from a list is vastly lower. Two ways information is encoded efficiently is through rehearsal and spacing. An example of spacing would be, instead of cramming the night before a test, studying over the course of a couple of days before. Rehearsal is also an effective way to encode information for storage. The more you repeat something, the more likely you are going to remember it. The movie Finding Nemo clearly uses this form of memory encoding. Dory uses repetition of the address on the back of the swim goggles, P. Sherman, 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney.

http://www.hark.com/clips/hkfcgctrkm-im-going-to-p-sherman-42-wallaby-way-sydney


Fast Forward to Minute 7

Dory repeated the address over and over again until it was stored in her memory. When she read Sydney on one of the underwater pipes, she recalled the address, using recognition. This is the perfect example of recognition and memory. The use of repetition as well as recognition better helped her remember the address. To this day, even I remember this address because it has been imprinted into my long term memory for no use of any relevance to anything besides the fact that I know its from Finding Nemo.