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Chapter 1: Learning Preferences and Strategies
Memory
Human memory is the process by which people store, retain, and retrieve infor- mation (Figure 1-1). Perceiving, processing, and storing information are complex processes that involve many parts of your brain. It is beyond the scope of this book to describe the process in detail. However, a few key points are worth mentioning. Sensory Memory Sensory memory involves the first brief impression during which your brain receives input on sights, sounds, smells, and other sensory data. Most of this information is immediately forgotten; however, some information is encoded and moves to short-term memory for further processing. Encoding is the process by which sensory input is converted to a form of memory that can be categorized and stored in the brain. Short-Term Memory Short-term memory allows you to retrieve a small amount of information for a very short span of time. In general, most people can retrieve four to seven items of information from short-term memory, which typically holds information for 15 to 30 seconds. Much of this information is then forgotten, but some encoded data is moved into long-term memory for storage. Short-term memory retention increases if the data are clustered into groups, a process known as chunking . For example, you may have noticed that it’s easier to remember a string of numbers, such as a telephone number, if you chunk the numbers, such as 233-467-9012 rather than 2334679012. Long-Term Memory Long-term memory can store an infinite amount of data for an indefinite period of time, perhaps for a lifetime. However, getting the information you wish to remember into your long-term memory is sometimes challenging. Using multiple learning strategies will facilitate the consolidation of short-term memories into long term memories and improve your ability to recall the information later. General self-care activities that enhance memory include healthy nutrition, stress-reduction activities, regular exercise, and regular, good-quality sleep.
Recall
Encoding
Sensory memory
Short-term memory
Long-term memory
Information
Consolidation
Most is immediately forgotten
Most is quickly forgotten
FIGURE 1-1 Memory.
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