Levels of processing: The idea that the way information is encoded affects how well it is remembered. The deeper the level of processing, the easier the information is to recall.

The Levels of Processing Theory can help you design memorable and meaningful eLearning experiences that facilitate long-term knowledge retention. Information that is processed on a deeper level will be remembered more readily.

Deep Processing

1. In class: focused attention, listening for something new, notes support understanding of material.
2. Interpreting information – making it meaningful for you.
3. Relating to prior knowledge.
4. Creating a mental image.
5. Preread assignments so that material in class makes sense, look for connections.

The difference in how people attend to information forms the basis for Craik and Lockhart’s (1972) levels of processing model. Their theory proposes that humans undertake three levels of processing, shallow intermediate or deep, when dealing with verbal information.

During the shallower processing level (perceptual processing), the subject initially perceives the physical and sensory characteristics of the stimulus; the deepest level (semantic processing) is related to pattern recognition and extraction of meaning, with a greater emphasis on semantic analysis than in shallow …

The levels of processing effect is the effect that different forms of encoding have on memory. When information is encoded semantically, through association with other information, it is easier to recall at a later date than when information is encoded structurally or phonetically, by the way it appears or sounds.

Deep processing refers to one of the extreme ends of the level of processing spectrum of mental recall through analysis of language used. Deep processing requires the use of semantic processing (how words work together to create meaning) which creates a much stronger memory trace.

Craik and Robert S. Lockhart in 1972, describes memory recall of stimuli as a function of the depth of mental processing. Deeper levels of analysis produce more elaborate, longer-lasting, and stronger memory traces than shallow levels of analysis. Depth of processing falls on a shallow to deep continuum.

What does the equipotentiality hypothesis suggest would happen if the hippocampus was damaged? another part of the brain would compensate for the damage by taking over the memory function normally managed by the hippocampus.

Retrieval is one of the best strategies to encode information into long-term memory. This strategy includes retrieving information by creating and taking a test. Creating tests allows the information to be processed at a deeper level. Retrieval is way better than just repeating something over and over.

What is the main idea of the Stroop effect? The brain’s reaction time slows when it must deal with conflicting information. In order to remember his lines for the play, Guy repeats his lines over and over again.

Lashley pioneered experimental work conducted on rats with surgically induced brain lesions, by damaging or removing specific areas of a rat’s cortex, either before or after the animals were trained in mazes and visual discrimination.

Equipotentiality refers to a psychological theory in both neuropsychology and behaviorism. Karl Spencer Lashley defined equipotentiality as “The apparent capacity of any intact part of a functional brain to carry out… the [memory] functions which are lost by the destruction of [other parts]”.

Beginning with Karl Lashley, researchers and psychologists have been searching for the engram, which is the physical trace of memory. Lashley did not find the engram, but he did suggest that memories are distributed throughout the entire brain rather than stored in one specific area.

Here are several common factors that can affect your memory:

• Lack of sleep. Not getting enough sleep is a major factor of memory loss and forgetfulness.
• Stress and anxiety. Everyone experiences a certain amount of stress and anxiety.
• Depression.
• Thyroid problems.
• Vitamin B12 deficiency.
• Alcohol abuse.
• Medication.

The marks of good memory, according to Stout, are ease and rapidity of learning or memorizing, permanence of retention, rapidity of actual revival, accuracy of the actual recall, or and serviceableness of the revival or its relevance to purpose.

Possible causes of reversible memory loss include:

• Medications. Certain medications or a combination of medications can cause forgetfulness or confusion.
• Minor head trauma or injury.
• Emotional disorders.
• Alcoholism.
• Vitamin B-12 deficiency.
• Hypothyroidism.
• Brain diseases.

Forgetfulness can arise from stress, depression, lack of sleep or thyroid problems. Other causes include side effects from certain medicines, an unhealthy diet or not having enough fluids in your body (dehydration). Taking care of these underlying causes may help resolve your memory problems.