Memory is the internal process that deals with the storage of information and later retrieval of such information. It is the ability to remember and retain information for future use.
The memory process requires the registration of information and the retention of such information. The possession of memory makes human beings to be able to link the present with the past.
Individual differences exist in their ability to remember information. The memory process can be divided into three types. These are the sensory memory, the short-term memory and the long-term memory.
Sensory Memory
The sensory memory is also known as immediate memory. It is the type of memory that refers to the impression that is obtained after receiving information. It is the memory process that enters through one or more of the senses.
Short-term memory
The short-term memory involves the retention of information in the brain for a little while before it is forgotten. The short-term is a short storage tank because only a few pieces of information can be stored there for a very short period.
The information in the short-term memory is rapidly lost unless such information is actively maintained. The rapid loss of information in the short-term memory could be that information was not well stored in the memory.
The retention of short-term memory can be disturbed by other events that take place shortly after the learned materials. However, with sufficient practice and revision, information stored in short-term memory is transferred to long-term memory.
Long-term memory
Long-term memory is a permanent memory system reserved for information that has high future value. It is the type of memory whereby the information stored is retained in the brain over a long period.
Long-term memory usually contains a large amount of information. However, the ability to retrieve such contains a large amount of information. However, the ability to retrieve such may depend on having an appropriate cue.
Remembering
Remembering is the ability to recall information stored in the memory. It is the present knowledge of an experience. Remembering can occur in several forms. These forms include:
Recognition
This type of remembering is derived from a sense of familiarity with the materials which had earlier been learned, e.g., seeing someone among a larger group and recognizing him.
Recall
Recall is a simple form of remembering which does not involve complex thinking or reasoning.
Recollection
This type of remembering is a higher order in which one remembers an earlier experience. It is the process by which an individual remembers an event or experience through some cues.
To recollect, there will be a need for the reconstruction and reorganization of experience.
Factors Influencing Remembering
These are different factors that can aid in remembering
Constant practice
The amount of practice a learner puts into the materials being learnt is an important aspect of promoting remembering.
Teachers should encourage constant practice to ensure that learning experiences are permanently stored and remembering made easy, hence, the importance of the role of revision in ensuring good remembering.
Use of Mnemonics
The uses of codes or symbols otherwise known as Mnemonics can promote remembering.
Mnemonics are key letters which can help in remembering the whole body of materials learnt. E.g. BODMAS is a formula used for solving problems of fractions in mathematics.
Interest
The learner’s interest and value also constitute an important component in promoting remembering. Interest can serve as a motivator or attention thus enhancing remembering.
If teachers can encourage students to develop an interest in a subject, their capacity to remember will be enhanced.
Use of instructional materials
The use of instructional materials is another factor aiding remembering. Teachers must use instructional materials to make lessons interesting.
Spaced learning
Spaced learning tends to enhance students understanding thereby promoting remembering.
Teachers should therefore avoid mass and congested learning and observe the simple rule of progressing from known to unknown, near to far and simple to complex.
Use of tests
Tests and exercises can be given to make students to be alert as well as revise their notes.
FORGETTING
The term forgetting is a loss over time in the amount of information stored in the memory. An individual cannot recall information stored in the memory.
It is believed that stored information in the memory will fade away if it is not utilized with time. Frequent practice or use is essential to retain information. Ekero (1989) identified three types of forgetting. These are:
- Forgetting occurs when the knowledge of the material presented is there but the individual does not know the material presented well enough to be able to recall it.
- Forgetting occurs when we know the materials very well but are unable to recall the materials due to some reasons.
- Forgetting that takes place due to an unconscious desire to forget (psychoanalytic process).
Factors influencing forgetting
There are many reasons why materials earlier learnt are forgotten. The most important is lack of practice. If there are insufficient opportunities to use materials learnt, there is a tendency to forget.
Interference
Another reason for forgetting what psychologists have well provided is interference i.e. the time when information is first learnt and the time later on when such information is needed, there is a tendency to have learned other things during the interval period and these other things have a tendency to cloud out the earlier learning interference, therefore, is the tendency of a previously learnt material to disturb the recall of another. Interference is of two types.
Proactive inhibition
This occurs when a previously learnt material prevents the recall of new material.
Retroactive inhibition
This occurs when a newly learnt material prevents the recall of a previously learnt material.
Fading is another factor that can promote forgetting. This can occur when an individual does not utilize what has been learnt. The disuse of learnt materials however accounts for only partial forgetting and not total forgetting.
Repression is also another factor that can lead to forgetting. Repression is the natural tendency for an individual to forget experiences connected with painful emotions i.e. those experiences which are bitter that the individual deliberately wants to forget.
Besides, all the factors influencing remembering, when not present lead to forgetting.
SUMMARY
This chapter has examined the pertinent issues involved in human learning. The meaning of learning and some learning theories were also discussed.
These include the stimulus-response theories, cognitive learning and gestalt learning theories. The concepts of motivation, transfer to learning, memory system and their classroom applications were also discussed.
Some important factors influencing learning were highlighted and discussed. Read more similar posts on our reading and writing page of the site.
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