Do you have a good memory? Are you good in recalling
details?
Well, each of us may have our own capability, or should I
say, level of capability in recalling things. We may say that some people
naturally have strong memory recall while other s may have very weak ones.
So, how do we remember things? How do we remember and why do
we forget some?
Theories of Forgetting:
There are many theories of forgetting and various
classifications of the theories. Yet, for ease in “remembering” these
information, let’s just have the basic ones.
1. Availability theories
This theory states that memories are forgotten because they
have been permanently lost from the brain. This is mainly used to explain
forgetting in short term memory. (e. g. trace decay theory)
2. Accessibility theories
This theory on the other hand states that memories still
exist but are difficult to retrieve. This is mainly used to explain forgetting
in long term memory (e.g. cue –dependency theory)
On Remembering
Our recall of any memory may depend on a number of factors.
One good illustration on some factors can be presented in the “serial position
curve”. This states the relation between the serial position of an item (its
place in the list) and the ability to recall it.
This curve presents:
1. The Primacy Effect, which entails that items near
the beginning of the list are easier to recall than those in the middle; and
2.The Recency Effect which says that those near the
end of the list are also easier to recall than those in the middle.
The normal serial position curve shows that items in the
middle of a list are the most difficult to commit to memory. However, this
disadvantage can be reduced or eliminated by making the item distinctive,
so that it stands out from the other middle-list items. For example, the item
could be printed in red when the rest of the items are printed in black.
The contrasting color draws attention to the item, and it receives more
processing.
How Quickly Do We Forget?
According to Ebbinghaus, the level at which we retain
information depends on a couple of things: (1.) The
strength of your memory; (2.) The
amount of time that has passed since learning
How Can We Retain More?
1. Repetition
Repetition is easy enough and it is the more frequently we
repeat something, the more likely it is to stick. Usually, reviewing at regular
intervals does increase retention and that over time. Frequent review can help
retention, but over time, we still tend to forget what we’ve learned.
This is why reviewing and cramming for exams can provide dividends
in the short term.
2. Quality of memory representation
A better approach for long term retention is to focus on the
quality of the information represented in memory and the meaning of the
information to you. The more relevant, meaningful connections you can make with
the new information in your mind with things you already know, the better your
memory retention over time. If you learn
something, and it is important to you, and you can connect it with many things
you already know, your memory retention will be very high. If you learn
something, and it is not important to you, and you do not connect
it with anything you already know, you will have poor retention and require
regular repetition.
References:
http://www.simplypsychology.org
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