INFORMATION PROCESSING: ENCODING Sample Presentation By Dr. L. James Monday, January 5, 2015

SO…WHAT IS MEMORY? Learning by the storage and retrieval of information over a period of time.

WHAT ARE THE 3 PARTS OF MEMORY? 1.ENCODING: processing information from sensory organs into the memory system that enables meaning 2.STORAGE: the retention of information that has been encoded into the memory system 3.RETRIEVAL: getting information from the memory’s storage when required to demonstrate knowledge and/or understanding

3 STAGES OF MEMORY 1.SENSORY MEMORY: instant storage of information that is meant to be retrieved within an extremely short period of time Examples: Playing a memory game; describing a crime suspect; recalling a phone number that was just recited 2.SHORT-TERM MEMORY: aka “working memory” retains information for as long as the information is rehearsed or used regularly Examples: Memorizing the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution for your 8 th grade S.S. teacher; the friends acquired at summer camp; the list of grocery items your mother gave you to get 3.LONG-TERM MEMORY: information that has been encoded, but may not be retrieved for long periods of time Examples: Your birthday party you had 3 years ago; the name of your 1 st grade teacher; the Examples: Your birthday party you had 3 years ago; the name of your 1 st grade teacher; the location and place of your first kiss location and place of your first kiss

HOW DO WE ENCODE INFORMATION??? Automatic Processing – unconsciously making sense of information receiving Automatic Processing – unconsciously making sense of information receiving Example: Walking into a room and taking in the entire environment (sights, sounds, energy) while focusing in one the one person you’ve come to see. Parallel Processing – the ability of the human brain to take note of multiple things at once and process the information simultaneously Parallel Processing – the ability of the human brain to take note of multiple things at once and process the information simultaneously Space – distance between items; places on a page; etc. Space – distance between items; places on a page; etc. Time – amount of time between events Time – amount of time between events Frequency – approximate number of times an event recurs Frequency – approximate number of times an event recurs Well-learned information –reading familiar words or noticing familiar symbols Well-learned information –reading familiar words or noticing familiar symbols Effortful Processing – making sense of information through effort/conscious process Effortful Processing – making sense of information through effort/conscious process Rehearsal – conscious repetition of information Rehearsal – conscious repetition of information

SPACING EFFECT the opposite of “cramming” the opposite of “cramming” Humans are more likely to retain information if it is introduced and processing in small portions over longer periods of time Humans are more likely to retain information if it is introduced and processing in small portions over longer periods of time

SERIAL POSITION EFFECT The time in which information is introduced in a list of information affects the likelihood of remembering that information The time in which information is introduced in a list of information affects the likelihood of remembering that information Example: Ice Breaker Activity  Each student must repeat each classmates’ name in the order that they are introduced….The first 5 or so names may be easily remembered by all due to constant repetition, but those names may interfere with your ability to remember other students’ names. Example: Ice Breaker Activity  Each student must repeat each classmates’ name in the order that they are introduced….The first 5 or so names may be easily remembered by all due to constant repetition, but those names may interfere with your ability to remember other students’ names.

SO…WHAT DO WE ENCODE??? 1.Visual encoding (images) Imagery – mental visualization of an object or event; involves effortful processing 2.Acoustic encoding (sounds) Mnemonic devices – involves both visual and sound 3.Semantic encoding (word meaning) Pair-Partner Chat: Give an example of each of these 3 occurring in real-life.

HOW DO WE ENCODE? Chunking: dividing information by using proximity, logical similarity, or relationship Chunking: dividing information by using proximity, logical similarity, or relationship Metacognition Check  At what times do we use chunking? Hierarchies: dividing information according to priority in categories and subcategories; helps to retrieve information efficiently Hierarchies: dividing information according to priority in categories and subcategories; helps to retrieve information efficiently Metacognition Check  At what times do we use hierarchies?