The section introduces principles of encoding and explains how recoding is one of the keys to effective memory. First it explains that not all forms of memory are alike and describes some of the different memory systems. This module breaks psychologists’ basic understanding of memory into six sections. But first you need to understand the basic layout of memory, which is a key element of cognition. That’s why most of this module is devoted to encoding and retrieval. The typical culprits in the failure to remember, however, are encoding and retrieval problems. In between encoding and retrieval we have, of course, memory storage.įigure 5.1: Memory Processes: Encoding, Storage, and Retrievalįailure to remember information-that is, forgetting-can occur because of a breakdown at any of the three points (encoding, storage, retrieval). When you need to get information out of memory (for example, when you are taking an exam, or telling a story), you use the process called retrieval. Here’s a very simple description: First, you have to get information into your memory systems call this process encoding. To understand why we remember and forget, you need to consider the entire memory process. Memory plays a key role in many areas of our lives, not the least of which is school.