Memory in Occupational Therapy Processes

1125 Words3 Pages

Memory refers to the formations and processes that are used to store and

retain information; there are three key processes involved, encoding, storage

and retrieval. The first process; encoding, involves focusing awareness and

consciously applying selective attention on a limited range of stimuli or

events. Craik and Lockhart (1972) proposed that incoming information could

be processed at different levels through three different ways of encoding;

structural, phonemic and semantic. Structural encoding refers to the appearance

of the information whilst phonemic encoding refers to how the information

sounds. Additionally semantic encoding refers to the meaning of the word, but

requires a deeper level of processing than the other levels. Deeper levels of

processing result in longer lasting memory codes (Craik and Tulving, 1975).

To improve the encoding process, elaborating and using visual imagery are

imperative. In addition, Self-referent encoding allows information to become

self-relevant, which, in conjunction with motivation, allows for a greater

ability to recall (Kassam et al., 2009) thus resulting in a deeper encoding of the

information.

The second process is storage and involves the encoded information moving

through short-term memory into Long-term memory. Atkinson and Shriffin’s

model of memory storage (1968) involves sensory input travelling through

memory stores to ultimately be stored in Long-term memory. Sensory memory

preserves information through iconic memory, a momentary recall of visual

information, or echoic memory, a momentary sensory memory of auditory

information. The information moves into short-term memory when selective

...

... middle of paper ...

...to aid retrieval of memories.

The use of long-term cognitive training may also assist Tom in re-learning

skills. Cognitive training focuses on helping to improve abilities and self-

control necessary so an individual can function successfully (Stewart, 2011).

Furthermore, memory and other cognitive difficulties can have a major impact

on self-confidence, which can lead to other mental illnesses and withdrawal from

activities, ultimately resulting in the original difficulties seeming worse (Woods,

2003). For Tom this could lead to a potential lack in motivation to recover,

however Long-term cognitive training can also improve performance on episodic

memory (Belleville, Gilbert, Fontaine, Gagnon, Gauthier, 2006) and therefore

may assist his rehabilitation.

Works Cited

Belleville, Gilbert, Fontaine, Gagnon, Gauthier, 2006)

Open Document