Effortful Processing

Encoding is the first step to creating a new memory. Encoding allows for items to be stored inside the brain to be pulled out later for short or long-term memory. There are two types of processing Effortful and Automatic. Effortful Processing is a type of encoding that requires attention and some degree of conscious effort. One example of this is overlearning, overlearning is readily practicing a skill to memorize it better. Another example would be rehearsal which is repeating things to memorize it. The other type of processing is called Automatic Processing. Automatic Processing deals with our unconscious encoding of incidental information. Some examples are time and space. These two methods of processing are different because one requires you to put in conscious effort while the other one doesn’t. They are similar because they both work to encode information into your brain.

The two types of processing are shallow processing and deep processing. Shallow processing involves the information being

There are three stages in the learning and memory process. These stages are encoding, storage, and retrieval. Encoding is when you first learn new information. Storage is when is goes to your long-term memory. Lastly retrieval is when you access that information or memory later. Encoding is very important because you are constantly seeing, hearing and touching new things. Your brain filters out are works to encode what’s important. This is called selective encoding. There is also something known as prolific encoding which is the encoding of something different or distinct that you see. When your memories go to storage they are usually stores with something called a memory trace which is a change to your nervous system to store that said memory. When you retrieve your memories, it can be very difficult at times. You can’t always retrieve every memory on command. Sometimes you need cues to help jumpstart that retrieval process. These cues often help jog your