Memory

Utkarsh Education

Memory

Meaning and Definition of Memory

Generally the ability to recall a learned content or an activity when is needed is called memory, but in psychological terminology, memory a mental process which is found in each organism in more or less measure. Psychologists have explained that when a person perceives object, place or person, or receives any other experience by any other sense organ, then these are accumulated in his unconscious mind in the form of symbol, mark or code. In their view, memory is the process of bringing these accumulated experiences in the unconscious mind to the conscious mind when needed. For example, when an individual watches an incident, then it is accumulated in his unconscious mind fully a partially. If due to any reason, this incident is recalled by the individual or he is reminded about it, then this incident occurs to the conscious mind the same form again.

Psychologists have defined memory in their own ways. We shall present the most suitable ones. 

In the words of Woodworth: Memory is the direct use of what is learned.

Hillgard has defined : Memory is that mental process which involves recalling the previously learned knowledge, experience or skill.

Stages of Memory

Psychologists have mentioned three stages or components of memory 一

first coding, second storage and third retrieval 

1. Coding: In coding,an  individual receives information or experience in the form of a definite code in his nervous system. In other words, forming of memory traces is coding. It is also called registration. 

2. Storage: The second stage of memory is storage. At this stage, the experiences obtained by coding are stored for some time. It is also called retention. 

3. Retrieval: At this stage, the necessary information or experiences are retrieved out of the stored information or experiences. This also called recall or remembering.

Steps of Memory Process

Woodworth has mentioned four steps of the memory process:

1. Learning: We can memorize a content only when we have learnt it before. According to Guilford, in order to memorize a content well, clear learning in the field essential. An individual should learn and memorize a content in order to increase the ability to memorize, he should relate new knowledge with previous knowledge and the lesson should be repeated again and again.

2. Retention: The second most important component of the memory process is retention of the learnt content. By retention is meant to store the content in the brain over a long period of time. When we learn content, the brain becomes active and some engrams are embossed in which are called memory traces. These traces exist in the conscious brain for sometime and then they shift to the unconscious mind. When it is needed to memorize a content, then these traces are transferred from the unconscious mind to the conscious mind and the individual becomes able to present the learnt knowledge again.

Psychologists say that retention power is innate and the environment does not play any special role in its development. Retention of a content depend on the following factors: 

(i) Physical and Mental Health: An individual who is physically and mentally healthy keeps something remembered over a long time, but in case of ill-health, his power of retention is weakened.

(ii) Mental Ability: Mental ability of different individuals is different, so their power of retention is also different. An individual with more intelligence has more retention ability than an individual with less intelligence. 

(iii) Nature of Subject Matter: The ability of retention also depends on this fact whether the material to be retained is simple or complex. If the material is meaningful for an individual and is useful for the future, then it is retained in the brain over a long period of time and if this learning is meaningless for him then he forgets it sooner.

(iv) Nature of Learning: The ability of retention also depends on this fact which method was used for learning and for how long it was done. If learning has been done by self actively, then the learnt material remains in the brain for a long time. The more is the amount of learning the more becomes the ability to retention. When an individual over-learns something, then it is retained by him all his life, such as the national anthem.

3. Recall: By recall is meant to bring the past experiences from the unconscious mind to the conscious mind again. This activity occurs when memory traces become active. These past experiences are brought to the conscious mind in the absence of original stimuli. If past experiences have not been retained well, then it is difficult to recall them. Recall is tested by paired association method.

In addition to the power of retention, recall also depends on his emotional state; a content learnt during the state of nervousness or fear are not memorized well. It is often seen that some candidates come for interview with a great preparation, but they say after the interview that they forgot everything due to panic or nervousness.

4. Recognition: Recognition is that ability by which past experiences or learnt facts are associated with or isolated from other facts to understand them clearly. For example, when we meet a man for the first time, then a reflection is formed in our brain by memory traces When we meet that man again years later, these memory traces become prominent and we become able to recognize that man again.Though recognition is a common experience, yet it is a complex and mysterious This process occurs automatically.

Characteristics of Good Memory

Good memory has the following characteristics: 

1. Quick Learning: A child with good memory learns something very quickly and learns the lesson on mere one reading.

2. Organization of the Learnt Content: Memory is no bag or box in which data are placed disorderly. We can recall a learnt material properly only when it has been stored in the brain in a systematic manner. A man with a good memory stores data in his brain in a systematic manner and is able to recall it when needed.

3. Good Retention: A man with a good memory has a good ability of retention also; the material he learns is retained in his memory for a long time.

4. Quick Recall: A man with a good memory has a quality that he recalls the learnt material rapidly. He presents the retained content without any delay if needed.

5. Accurate Recognition: A man with a good memory recognizes the previously known things.

6. Forgetting Unnecessary Material: A man with a good memory only retains necessary facts and forgets unnecessary facts.

Types of Memory

Due to individual differences, all individuals are not equally able to learn, retain and recognize. An individual can learn a material faster and retains it over a long time, while others may not be able to do so. Considering all aspects of memory, psychologists have determined the following forms of memory:

1. Immediate Memory : By immediate memory is meant learning a fact or information and repeat it soon after. There is much possibility of forgetting this type of memory. 

2. Long Term Memory: When a fact or experience is retained for a long period of time, it is called long term memory. 

3. Rote Memory: By rote memory is meant the ability to learn a fact without having understood it and present it verbatim when needed. Small children learn many rhymes by rote memory without having understood their meaning, and they repeat them whenever they are asked to.

4. Logical Memory: By logical memory is meant to learn a fact after having understood and reasoned it and present it when needed.

5. Active Memory: By active memory is meant to relearn experiences voluntarily and to present them well. Students write their answer books in the examination hall on the basis of their active memory.

6. Passive Memory: When past experiences are recalled without any active effort, it is called passive memory. This type of memory is not purposeful; for example, on naming the elephant recalling dark colour and massive size. 

7. Mechanical Memory: This memory is also called physiological or habitual memory. When an action is done by a body part, its repeated activity habituates that body part and an individual does not have to make any specific effort for doing that action. A driver of a vehicle does not have to pressure his brain to control it, his hands and feet work automatically.

8. True Memory: When a content is recalled independently, it is called true memory. This memory is motivated by interest and laws of association. The content is retained in this type of memory in a well organized manner which facilitates recall. This memory is considered to be the best type in the field of education.

Methods of Memorization

Learning is a part of memory, but there is a difference in the methods of these two. Following are the chief methods of memorization :

1. Whole Method: When a child memorizes the whole content together, then this method of memorization is called the whole method The whole method is effective for talented students. 

2. Part Method: When a child learns a content by dividing it into several parts, this type of memorization is called the part method. This method is suitable for dull students.

3. Mixed Method: When a child applies both of the whole and the part methods in memorizing a large content, then it is called the mixed method.

4. Spaced Method: When a child takes rest in between his memorization of a content, then it is called the spaced method. This method is good for permanent memory. This method causes less fatigue and gives an opportunity to learn with entire capability.

5. Unspaced Method: When a child learns a content without having spaced his learning, then it is called the unspaced method. In this method the content is repeated again and over again without any rest in between. This method is good for immediate memory.

6. Active Method: In this method, the content is learnt by speaking. This method is suitable for children of primary level. Memorizing by speaking also helps to improve the pronunciation. 

7. Passive Method: In this method, a child repeats the content in his mind without speaking. This method is suitable for the students of higher classes and adults.

8. Method of Association of Ideas: In this method, the material to be learnt is associated with other things. It helps to memorize the material rapidly and it is retained in the memory over a prolonged period.

9. Recitation Method: In this method, a child recites the content by speaking and then recalls it after closing the book. Gates, in his experiments, found the recitation method as more useful as compared to continuous reading.

Factors Influencing Memory

Several factors influence memory, the important of which are as follows:

1. Physical Health: Physical health has its effect on memory. Unhealthy children have a weak memory.

2. Mental Health: A child with good mental health has a good memory. The children who are suffering from any mental illness, fear, anxiety or other mental defects do not have a good memory.

3. Motivation: A motivated child learns faster and retains the learnt material over a long time and is able to recall it soon when needed.

4. Nature of Learning Material: A child is able to learn when the material is systematic and comprehensible.

5. Willingness to Learn: When a learner wants to learn, he would be able to learn the content, else not. The more intense the willingness to learn, the sooner occurs the memorization.

6. Interest and Attention: A child learns faster if he is interested and attentive. 

7. Memory Method: The method that a child uses for memorization has influenced over the process of memorization. Systematic and strong content can be learnt by the whole method, while the part method is suitable for difficult material.

8. Practice and Repetition: The more is the practice and repetition of the content, the more permanently it is retained in the memory. 

9.Teaching Methods: The teaching method adopted by a teacher also has an effect on the memorization.

10. Teacher's Behaviour: Affectionate and favourable behaviour of the teacher has favourable effect on a child's memorization.

Means of Improving Memory of Children

Most psychologists opine that memory is inherent and it not possible to increase it. However, some psychologists view the that improvement in memory can be effected to some extent. 

Some of the important measures are as follows: 

(1) Rapid memorization takes place when the material is presented in a systematic manner according to the level of children, and more material can be learnt in less time.

(2) Paying attention to the content helps to understand it well and it is memorized sooner.

(3) Memory can be increased when new knowledge is related to the previous knowledge.

(4) The ability to memorize is enhanced when the material is purposeful.

(5) When the material is presented logically, the retention power is enhanced.

(6) Frequent repetition can help to increase the ability to retention over a long period of time. 

(7) Following the laws of association in learning and memorizing enhances the power to retention.

(8) Today psychologists and games specialists have invented such games and tools the repeated use of which increases memory.

(9) Memory power can be increased by yogic activities, pranayama, meditation, etc. It has been proved by experiments that pranayama and meditation in pure environment increases intelligence which positively affects memory.

(10) Memory also increases when one is confident about his memory.