Memory ENCODING What is encoding Getting information into

Memory *ENCODING*

What is “encoding”? • Getting information into our brains so we can later remember it • 2 kinds: – Automatic – Effortful processing

Automatic Processing • You remember where information was on a page during a test. • Where did I leave my shoes? (walk through the day) • “I ran into you 3 times today!” • Reading BECAME automatic… but it was effortful first.

Effortful Processing • Requires effort and attention! • Reading a boring book for school – other examples? • What do you do to remember things for a long time? – REHEARSE: conscious repetition – But the amount remembered depends on time spent learning… don’t over learn

Tricks for remembering! • Spacing effect: distribute rehearsal over time • Serial position: remember the first and last thing • Next-in-line effect: remember things in order of appearance • 1 hour before sleep • FACT! No such thing as “sleep learning. ”

How do we encode? • By meaning • By visualizing • By mentally organizing

1. By Meaning • When you process verbal information - semantic encoding • You remember the WHAT- you’ll remember the lecture notes, but not the lecture itself • How many of you learn like this? ? • Principle learning and elaboration

2. By Visualizing • Involves imagery – can you picture where you were yesterday? Who was with you? What were you wearing? • Which word would you remember? – Cigarette, void, typewriter, process – Remember what you can “picture” • Mnemonic devices: connecting something new with picture you’ll remember

3. By Mentally Organizing • Chunking- information combined into units – Think of examples (animals, flowers, number patterns, etc. )

In review… • What are the two ways we process information? • Automatic and effortful • Name one “trick” for remembering? • Spacing, serial position, next-in-line, 1 hour before sleep • What 3 ways do we encode information? • By meaning, visualizing, and mentally organizing

QUESTIONS? Remember to read the book too!!