Psychology: Retrieving Information from Memory

What is the process of getting information out of memory storage?

What type of retrieval is used for an essay test?

Why do we fail to remember information from long-term memory?

What is an example of relearning?

What is the result of encoding failure?

Why can't most Egyptians tell which picture is on the back of the 10-pound banknote?

What is recognition in the context of retrieval?

Who is the researcher that studied the process of memorization and created the forgetting curve?

What is the term for the loss of information from long-term memory?

What percentage of new information is forgotten after 20 minutes according to the Ebbinghaus forgetting curve?

What is the term for the process of forgetting due to the failure to retrieve information from memory?

What is the purpose of chunking as a memory technique?

What is the name of the technique that involves thinking about the meaning of new information and its relation to existing knowledge?

What is the term for memory aids that help organize information for encoding?

What is the purpose of using expressive pictures in memory techniques?

What is one way to use memory techniques effectively?

Retrieving Information

Retrieval: the act of getting information out of memory storage, necessary for everyday functioning.
Three ways to retrieve information:
- Recall: accessing information without cues, used for essay tests.
- Recognition: identifying information that you have previously learned, used for multiple-choice tests.
- Relearning: remembering information that you previously learned, which can be learned quicker than the first time.

Why Do We Forget?

Forgetting: loss of information from long-term memory.
Three reasons for forgetting:
- Encoding Failure: when information is not stored in our memory in the first place, due to lack of effort and attention.
- Storage Decay: unused information tends to fade away over time, with 50% forgotten after 20 minutes and 70% after 24 hours.
- Interference: failure to retrieve information due to retroactive or proactive interference.

Interference

Retroactive interference: when new information interferes with previously learned information.
Proactive interference: when previously learned information interferes with new information.

Ways to Enhance Memory

Rehearsal: conscious repetition of information to be remembered.
Chunking: organizing information into bits or chunks, such as separating phone numbers into 3 chunks.
Elaborative rehearsal: thinking about the meaning of new information and its relation to knowledge already stored in memory.
Mnemonic: memory aids that help us organize information for encoding, such as using acronyms or expressive pictures.

Medical Mnemonics in Physical Therapy

Example of a mnemonic to remember the carpal bones of the wrist: "Some Lovers Try Positions, That They Can't Handle".

How to Study Effectively

Using memory techniques, such as rehearsal, chunking, elaborative rehearsal, and mnemonics, can be useful when studying for class.

Learn about the process of retrieving information from memory storage, including recall and recognition. Understand how it is used in everyday functioning.