Human Memory

How We Learn and Remember

Presented by - Panya , Ananya , Apoorva &

Shreya {students of XI-H}
Table of Contents

What is Memory 3 Nature and cause of

forgetting 11
Nature of memory 6
Key strategies to 13
enhance memory
The Stage Model 8
Conclusions 14
What is Memory?

Memory is essential to our identity.

It preserves our sense of who we are.

Helps us maintain interpersonal relationships, solve problems, and make

decisions.

It plays a role in perception, thinking, and problem-solving.

3
Why do psychologists study memory?

In order to understand -

How information is Why is it How can it be

stored forgotten? improved?
4
Visual Timeline ~

Psychological research on memory is over 100 years old.

Hermann Ebbinghaus (German psychologist, 1885) was the first to

study memory systematically.

He performed experiments on himself to understand memory and forgetting

5
Nature of Memory ~

Memory = Retaining and recalling information over time

→ It depends on the type of cognitive task involved.
Duration of memory can vary:
Sometimes we remember things for just a few seconds.
Other times, we remember things for many years.

For Example:
Short-term: Remembering a phone number just until you dial it.
Long-term: Remembering basic math (addition/subtraction) from early school
years.
6
Three Independent Stages Of Memory ~

Encoding Storage Retrieval

First stage of memory. Second stage of Third stage of memory.

Process of recording memory. Refers to recovering
and registering Refers to retaining stored information into
information for the first encoded information awareness to use it for
time. over time so it can be thinking, problem
Begins when external used later. solving, or decision-
stimuli hit sensory making.
organs → neural
impulses → processed
7
in the brain.
 The Stage Model ~
Atkinson and Shiffrin in 1968.

Sensory Memory Short-term Memory Long-term Memory

The earliest stage of memory. Known as working memory. It's The stage of memory where
It acts as a buffer for stimuli involved in the conscious information is stored for
received through the senses. processing of information, prolonged periods, potentially
This type of memory is very where we manipulate and a lifetime. It has a practically
brief, lasting only a fraction of work with the information unlimited capacity and is
a second for visual needed for cognitive tasks like responsible for storing
information (iconic memory) learning, reasoning, and information about our
and a few seconds for comprehension. experiences, knowledge of the
auditory information (echoic world, skills we have learned,
memory). and more.
8
Types of long term memory ~

Declaritive memory - Procedural memory -

You can consciously recall it Memory of skills and
(like facts or events). actions (e.g., riding a
Divided into: bicycle, playing guitar).
Episodic Memory: You don’t need to
Personal experiences or consciously think to
life events (e.g., your last perform these actions.
birthday).
Semantic Memory:
General knowledge and
facts (e.g., Delhi is the
capital of India).
9
Levels of processing ~

The Levels of Processing theory was proposed by Craik and Lockhart (1972).
It explains how deeply information is processed affects how well it is remembered.

VS
Shallow Processing Deep Processing
Focus: Surface features — how something Focus: Meaning, connections, and
looks or sounds. understanding.
Examples: [ Examples:
Reading a word and only noticing the font Thinking about the meaning of a word.
or color. Relating it to your life or existing
Hearing a word and just focusing on its knowledge.
sound (rhyme). Result: Strong memory trace; better recall.
Result: Weak memory trace; quickly
forgotten. 10
 Nature and Causes of forgetting ~

Forgetting is the inability to recall or recognize previously learned information. It’s a

natural part of memory and can happen after seconds, minutes, days, or even years.
Nature of Forgetting:
Forgetting is not always bad — it helps us filter out unimportant information.
It occurs in both short-term and long-term memory.
Psychologists study how fast and why we forget — one key finding is Ebbinghaus’
Forgetting Curve, which shows that forgetting is fastest right after learning.
Major Causes of Forgetting:
1. Encoding Failure
Reason: Information was never properly stored in memory.
Example: Not paying attention during a lecture, so the content never entered
memory.
2. Decay Theory
Reason: Memory traces fade over time if not used.
Mostly applies to: Sensory and short-term memory.
Example: Forgetting a phone number quickly after hearing it.
11
 Nature and Causes of forgetting ~

3. Interference
Reason: New or old information blocks retrieval of other info.
Types:
Proactive interference: Old info interferes with new (e.g., remembering
your old password instead of the new one).
Retroactive interference: New info interferes with old (e.g., forgetting
last year’s syllabus after learning the new one).
4. Retrieval Failure
Reason: The memory is stored but can’t be accessed at the moment.
Example: Tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon — you know the answer but
can’t recall it.
5. Motivated Forgetting (Repression)
Reason: The brain deliberately pushes away painful or unwanted memories.
Given by: Sigmund Freud.
Example: Forgetting a traumatic childhood event. 12
 Key strategies to enhancing memory ~
“Enhancing memory” means using techniques and strategies to improve the encoding,
storage, and retrieval of information. These methods help us remember better, especially
for studying and day-to-day activities.
1. Mnemonics
Mnemonics are memory aids that make information easier to remember.
Types of Mnemonics:
Acronyms – Using the first letters of words (e.g., VIBGYOR for rainbow colors).
Rhymes/Songs – Using rhythm (e.g., “Thirty days hath September…”).
Method of Loci – Imagining items placed in familiar locations.
Peg-word System – Linking numbers with rhyming words (1–bun, 2–shoe, etc.).
2. Rehearsal
Definition: Repeating information to keep it in memory.
Types:
Maintenance rehearsal – Rote repetition (e.g., repeating a phone number).
Elaborative rehearsal – Making meaningful connections (e.g., linking info to
personal experiences). 13
Breaking large info into smaller groups or “chunks”.
Example: Breaking 9865473210 into 986-547-3210.
Conclusion ~

“Without memory, there

is no culture. Without
“Memory is the diary we
memory, there would be
all carry about with us.”
no civilization, no
– Oscar Wilde
society, no future.” –
Elie Wiesel

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Thank You