Encoding Information Into Memory
Memory is one of the human brain's most essential functions and can help individuals avoid danger, recall happy moments from the past, achieve the means for professional success, and remember who they are. Understanding how the brain retains and encodes information can help you understand how your brain functions in greater detail.
What is encoding memory?
From this point, you may retrieve that information with automatic or purposeful processing. Your capacity for processing can be developed with cognitive exercise in the same way your memory capacity and functions can be improved.
An example of encoded memory may include the memory of a beach vacation. On your vacation, you may process acoustic encoding through the sound of waves crashing into the shore and visual encoding through the sight of the horizon. Semantic encoding may include a word associated with the beach, such as suntan or sand. Any or all of these elements can cause the memory of your vacation to resurface when you are reminded of them.
Memory may not be entirely mental. Recent studies suggest that humans may possess the ability to accumulate memories of bodily experiences, including "tactile, motor, proprioceptive, painful, and interoceptive experiences, as well as accompanying emotions." This ability is referred to as "body memories."
Types of memory
Memory involves a process of gathering information to be stored in the brain. The brain accumulates sensory information and then selects the memories that will continue to be stored in short-term memory. Other memories are categorized by how they are interpreted in the brain, such as memories associated with emotions versus those accumulated as factual information.
Sensory memory
Sensory memory is the earliest stage of memory. The brain can store sensory memory information for a brief period of roughly half a second for visual information or three to four seconds for audio information. Depending on the information, the brain moves some sensory memories to short-term memory.
Short-term memory
Also known as active memory, short-term memory is the information you know in the present moment. Although there have been many studies on the brain's capacity for short-term memory, the work of George Miller is often referenced.
Studies by this American psychologist suggest that it's often more practical to encode multiple pieces of information in short-term memory by chunking them together in limited numbers than by trying to remember them all individually. This process is sometimes called chunking psychology, a technique that can make it easier to absorb and remember information.
For example, if someone reads a list of items that includes the names of various shapes, small animals, and fruits to another person, then asks them to remember the list, that person may group the shapes, animals, and fruits separately. Miller found that the typical capacity for human memory is seven chunks of information.
Long-term memory
The brain continues to store relevant information filtered through short-term memories into long-term memory. Many memories that are retrieved are long-term memories. Some long-term memories are easy to recall into working memories, while others are harder to retrieve. Long-term memories allow individuals to recall information that helps them have conversations, make decisions, and solve problems.
Declarative and procedural memory
Long-term memory processes are divided into declarative (explicit) and procedural (implicit) memory. Declarative memory refers to how people remember facts and events, while procedural memory allows individuals to remember experiences that become skills like riding a bike or tying their shoes.
Semantic memory
The semantic network model of memory assumes that certain stimuli can conjure associated memories. For example, suppose you worked in a library for 20 years. In that case, you might be able to recall stories about people who regularly came into the library, special presentations that the library hosted, and other special memories about co-workers.
Episodic memory
Episodic memory is a type of memory associated with a personal experience where you can connect details of the memory with each other. For example, someone might remember some of the events of their wedding day when looking through old wedding photos. Memory experts are still studying why people can remember some episodic memories but not others. Recent research indicates that "a bidirectional flow of information between the neocortex and hippocampus is fundamental to the formation and retrieval of episodic memories."
Why does memory capacity vary?
Some situations may interfere with encoding and cause forgetfulness, such as inattentiveness. If you forget where your car is parked, it doesn't necessarily mean you don't know where it is but that the location wasn't encoded in your brain. Outside interference can cause problems in encoding and storing memories; sometimes, memories "compete" for prominence in the mind.
Lack of sleep, excessive substance use, stress, anxiety, and depression may also affect the brain's encoding process. Neurological damage, brain tumors, or memory disorders like dementia and Alzheimer's are common causes of long-term memory challenges.
If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at (800) 662-4357 to receive support and resources. Support is available 24/7.
If you have persistent memory issues, speak to your doctor. This challenge may be due to behavioral concerns but can also be a sign of a more serious condition like dementia or early-onset memory failure.
How can you improve memory?
Below are a few ways you can improve your ability to encode memories:
- Get quality sleep each night.
- Use mnemonics, devices that associate new information with previously encoded information, like a rhyme or a song.
- Practice "chunking," where a string of information is clustered into associated groups.
- Create a "mind palace," also known as the method of loci.
- Eat foods that support brain function, such as fruits, leafy vegetables, nuts, fish, and eggs.
- Exercise regularly.
- Perform mental and cognitive exercises such as puzzles or reading.
- Acquire a hobby or learn a new skill.
- Manage your stress levels.
- Cultivate positive social relationships.
Support options
Difficulties with memory can be disconcerting if they seem persistent or interfere with your daily functioning. If you struggle to store or retain memories, consider speaking to your doctor and a mental health professional.
Challenges involving stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma can all impact functioning. When these challenges go unaddressed, their symptoms and effect on memory may worsen over time. Speaking with a mental health professional can help you improve your memory and allow you space to cope with these challenges.
With the rise in technology, finding a therapist may be possible even when you face barriers to in-person treatment. Online therapy can be convenient, effective, and sometimes more affordable than in-person therapy without insurance. Platforms like BetterHelp can connect you with qualified professionals via phone, video, or chat sessions. In addition, you can outline your goals as soon as you sign up.
What does encoding thoughts mean?
Encoding is one of the early stages of the memory process. It’s when our brain allows information about the world around us that we instantly received through our senses to be entered into our memory system. The way in which we encode thoughts could refer to how we commit certain thoughts to memory, consciously or unconsciously.
What is an example of encoding?
Encoding is automatically taking in the information your various senses are perceiving and then being able to remember this information later because your brain properly stored it. For example, you might perceive how the air smells on a crisp fall morning and how the cool breeze feels on your face, and you might then remember and talk about this information later with a coworker who asks how your walk to the office was. The same effect could take place for all kinds of sensory inputs. Note that if the brain decides a piece of information isn’t relevant, useful, or worth holding on to, it will discard it in order to make more unoccupied space available for additional, new memories.
What is an example of encoding in psychology?
Psychology relates to memory encoding because various elements of our personality and mental health can influence how we receive whatever memory or idea we experience and what we do and don’t remember about certain moments in our lives.
One example of encoding in psychology would be a person with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) smelling a scent that triggers painful memories of the traumatic experience they went through, even years later. This is because the scent was perceived and encoded at the time in their memory as being related to the traumatic event that was in progress. A psychologist might work with this individual to decrease reactivity to encoded triggers like these.
What does encoding mean in psychology?
In psychology, encoding refers to what our brains choose to remember from the large amount of sensory stimulation and input we receive every day—in addition to how and why. It can also relate to the self; components of what we remember seem to be tied to our personalities, past experiences, overall health, and many other personal factors.
What is encoding behavior?
Encoding behaviors are the processes by which we can store information in our memory. While they’re often automatic, they can also be engaged intentionally, such as through repetition or studying.
What is encoding emotions?
Encoding emotions could refer to the process of how the brain stores memories about the way we felt during certain experiences. For example, we might remember how happy we felt when we saw an old friend or how sad we felt when a family member was sick.
What are the 3 types of encoding?
The three types of encoding are visual, semantic, and acoustic. Visual has to do with stimulation perceived through the eyes and then encoded, auditory has to do with stimulation perceived through the ears and then encoded, and semantic has to do with the way we interpret perceived information in context.
What is encoding in simple words?
In simple words, encoding is when our brain stores memories about what we see, hear, feel, experience, etc. in the world around us. It relates to the information we detect, and thoughts and memories formed and stored based on that information.
What is the most common encoding?
The most common type of encoding is automatic, when our brain automatically decides what information to keep and encode in memory and what to discard. However, encoding can also be done intentionally through repetition or studying.
What are the two types of encoding psychology?
Encoding psychology is a complex field that studies what, why, and how our brains may encode certain information taken in by the senses over other information. Two types could include research encoding psychology and clinical encoding psychology.
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