Memory coding
Memory encoding is the transformation of information into a form that can be stored and later retrieved.
Definition
Memory encoding is the first stage of creating a memory trace. It depends on attention, meaning, emotion, connection to prior knowledge and method of processing. The more deeply the information is understood and connected to the context, the greater the chance that it will be available later.
Key ideas
- Transforming information
- The role of attention and meaning
- Connection to prior knowledge
Practice and life
When learning new material, don't just read it. Explain it in your own words, give an example and connect it to something you already know.
Common misconceptions
It is a mistake to confuse contact with information with remembering it. Merely reading or viewing it does not constitute successful encoding.
> Not everything you experience becomes a memory; part needs to be coded.
> — Guru Element
Questions for self-reflection
- Did I actually process this information or did I just see it?
- What can I combine it with?
- How would I explain it in simple language?