Memory formation and retrieval happen in a few important steps:
Encoding: This is when we change information into a form that we can keep in our minds. Research shows that we forget about 70% of what we learn right after we learn it.
Storage: This is how we hold on to that information over time. Short-term memory usually lasts about 20 to 30 seconds. But long-term memory can stay with us for days, months, or even our whole life!
Retrieval: This is when we go back and find the information we stored when we need it. When we just recognize things, we do pretty well, about 75% of the time. But when we try to remember things on our own, we only succeed about 30% of the time.
These steps show how complicated memory can be. Understanding how we remember things is really important in the study of how we think and learn.
Memory formation and retrieval happen in a few important steps:
Encoding: This is when we change information into a form that we can keep in our minds. Research shows that we forget about 70% of what we learn right after we learn it.
Storage: This is how we hold on to that information over time. Short-term memory usually lasts about 20 to 30 seconds. But long-term memory can stay with us for days, months, or even our whole life!
Retrieval: This is when we go back and find the information we stored when we need it. When we just recognize things, we do pretty well, about 75% of the time. But when we try to remember things on our own, we only succeed about 30% of the time.
These steps show how complicated memory can be. Understanding how we remember things is really important in the study of how we think and learn.