What is Human Memory?

Memory is our ability to store, retain, and retrieve information. It plays a vital
role in learning, decision-making, problem-solving, and even simple daily
tasks. Without memory, we wouldn't be able to recognize people, recall
events, or even remember how to perform basic actions like tying a
shoelace.

Three Stages of Memory

Memory works in three interrelated stages:

1. Encoding – This is the process of taking in information. It is like saving a

Example: When you meet a new person and try to remember their name,
your brain is encoding the information.

2. Storage – The process of keeping the information over time.

Example: You remember a friend’s birthday for years because it is stored in

3. Retrieval – The ability to access and recall the stored information when
needed.

Example: During an exam, you recall facts you studied earlier.

Information Processing Approach (Stage Model)

This model, proposed by Atkinson and Shiffrin, explains that memory works
in three stages:

1. Sensory Memory
This is the first stage where information from our senses (sight, sound,
touch) is stored for a very short time.

It has a large capacity but lasts only for less than a second.

Example: When you wave a sparkler in the dark, you see a trail of light even
though it's not actually there. This happens due to sensory memory.

2. Short-Term Memory (STM)

It holds a small amount of information for less than 30 seconds.

It has limited capacity (7 ± 2 items, according to George Miller’s study).

Example: If someone tells you their phone number and you don’t write it
down, you can remember it for a few seconds, but then you forget.

3. Long-Term Memory (LTM)

This is a permanent store with unlimited capacity.

Example: You remember how to ride a bicycle even if you haven’t ridden one
in years.

Types of Long-Term Memory

LTM is divided into Declarative Memory and Procedural Memory.

1. Declarative Memory (Explicit Memory)

It includes facts, events, and general knowledge.

It is further divided into:

Episodic Memory – Memories of personal experiences.

Example: Your first day at school or your birthday party.

Example: The capital of India is New Delhi.

2. Procedural Memory (Implicit Memory)

This is memory related to skills and habits.

Example: Knowing how to ride a bicycle or type on a keyboard without

Knowledge Representation in Memory

Our brain organizes information into schemas (mental frameworks).

Example: When you think of a kitchen, you automatically imagine things like
a stove, fridge, and utensils.

Why Do We Forget?

Forgetting occurs when we fail to retrieve stored information. There are

1. Ebbinghaus’s Forgetting Curve

Hermann Ebbinghaus found that we forget most information within the first 9
hours, especially within the first hour.

Example: If you study for an exam and don’t revise, you forget most of it
quickly.

2. Trace Decay Theory

Memory fades away if not used for a long time.

Example: If you don’t use a language you learned in school, you might forget
most of it.

3. Interference Theory
Sometimes, different memories interfere with each other.

Proactive Interference (Old learning affects new learning)

Example: If you learned English first and then started learning French, you
might mix English words into French sentences.

Retroactive Interference (New learning affects old learning)

Example: If you recently learned French, you may struggle to remember

Techniques to Improve Memory

You can enhance your memory using these techniques:

1. Mnemonics (Using Visual Aids)

Keyword Method – Associating a foreign word with an English word.

Example: The Spanish word for "cat" is "gato." You imagine a cat wearing a
gate to remember "gato."

Method of Loci – Associating information with a familiar place.

Example: To remember a shopping list, imagine different items placed in

2. Mnemonics (Using Organization)

Chunking – Breaking information into small groups.

Example: Instead of remembering 9876543210, remember it as 987-654-

Example: Colors of the rainbow: VIBGYOR (Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow,
Orange, Red).

3. Deep Level Processing

Connecting information to meaning helps in better retention.

Example: If you’re learning about memory, relate it to real-life examples like

4. Using Retrieval Cues

Linking new information with something familiar.

Example: If you meet a person named "Rose," imagine them holding a rose
to remember their name.

Summary

1. Memory has three stages: Encoding, Storage, and Retrieval.

2. Information processing model explains Sensory Memory, Short-Term

3. Long-term memory is divided into Declarative (Episodic & Semantic) and

4. Forgetting happens due to decay, interference, and lack of retrieval cues.

5. Memory can be improved using mnemonics, chunking, and deep

Imagine you are preparing for a psychology exam. You read about the
forgetting curve but you don’t revise it. After a few days, you forget most of
it (Ebbinghaus’s forgetting curve). However, if you use mnemonics (like
creating a fun story about forgetting), you remember it better!