What We Can Understand From The Encoding Psychology Definition

Updated March 25, 2024by MyTherapist Editorial Team
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One of the more interesting aspects of psychology is how memory works. While we hope are memories are reliable and will last forever, they will shift and fade with time. Nonetheless, the human memory is essential to identity formation and personal safety. To survive, we need to remember situations that are a threat and those that promote mental and physical fitness. Furthermore, changes in memory can profoundly impact a person’s ability to function and perform daily tasks with ease. 

For these reasons and more many psychologists have studied memory and conducted research to help improve our understanding of how memory works and its purpose. While we have learned a great deal, not everything about memory is understood. With that said, we are going to be looking at one concept of memory today, encoding – the initial experience of perceiving and learning information.

What is encoding?

Psychologists have identified three stages that make up the learning and memory process – encoding, storage, and retrieval. Encoding is the initial learning of information, storage is how our brains preserve the information over time, and retrieval refers to the ability to reach the stored information when needed. Here’s a closer look:

Encoding

This stage takes place when we first perceive and learn new information taken in by our senses. According to American Psychological Association, encoding is the conversion of sensory input into a form that is capable of being processed and deposited as a memory. Encoding is selective. Think of all the different sights, sounds, and smells that occur just by a simply walk through a park. In order to process the incredible amounts of information, the brain will encode what it deems necessary and discard seemingly unimportant inputs as excessive noise.

Storage

Once a memory is encoded, the information is stored in the brain. The brain takes the encoded memory and decides whether it’s going to be in one of three categories. There are brief memories, short-term and long-term. The memory will be put in a certain part of your brain, and neural networks link it. Neural networks that have more repeated information are more likely to store long-term memories.

Retrieval

When you need to use that memory, how does your brain retrieve it from its filing cabinet? You know this as remembering, the retrieval of a memory. Without retrieval, the encoding and storage of memories would be meaningless. However, despite its importance, we typically reach only a fraction of what is stored as memories. 

Encoding is the first stage in memory formation and storage in which a person encodes sensory input according to association. For example, when you meet someone for the first time your brain sees something that it wants to remember, which is sensory input. Afterward, the brain encodes the sensory input as associated by the person’s face or sound of their voice. From there, the brain moves to storing the information and making it available for retrieval. Hence, the next time you see the person, you use these memory entries to recognize and call the person by name. However, we all have experienced the moment of seeing someone we have met, or even known a while, and are unable to retrieve their name.  It is in these moments when we recognize the malleability of memory.

  • First, you associate something you see with memory. For example, you see someone’s face, and it invokes memories.
  • Second, you recall a memory that is not present. You remember questions you studied for an exam, for example.

Types of encoding

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The process of encoding begins with our perception of information taken in by the senses. There are four main types of encoding that can describe the process, These include the following: 

  • Acoustic encoding is when we encode information via auditory manners. You hear something, and you encode it. Not only can acoustic encoding involve the noises around you, but it can also involve the voice in your head that tries to keep a memory stored.
  • Visual encoding is when your mind processes something you see. Because we see a lot in our daily lives, much of what we see is forgotten. Usually, it’s the unique sights that are easier for us to recall.
  • Sensory encoding is when we remember something by touching it or using our other senses. You can remember a smell, kiss, food, and other sensations that are memorable.
  • Semantic is when you need to remember facts that have little to do with life experiences. When you’re trying to remember something for a test or trying to find something on a map, you use a semantic encoding. According to some researchers, semantic encoding can be memorable if you can attach a certain meaning behind it. For example, associating a fact with a memory you have.
  • Elaborative is when you add something to a memory you already remember. In fact, most memories are a combination of information that is old and new. This is mainly due to hindsight. Something you remember doing when you were a teenager may be different as an adult, where you’re looking at it through a critical lens.

How the brain encodes

You may wonder how exactly the brain encodes information identified as worthy of remembering. While memory is still not fully understood, the part of the brain that determines if information is worth remembering is known as the hippocampus. The hippocampus has many functions, one of which is linking information taken in and encoding it into new memories by the formation of new synapses, or neural connection that transmit information. To help limit the influx of sensory inputs, the hippocampus will prioritize the retention of encoded cues that are emotionally relevant and that have occurred multiple times. 

Encoding is a complex process that involves the brain’s electricity and essential chemicals. When nerve cells connect, they do so at a point known as a synapse. These synapses have electric pulses, or messages, connected to them. These messages are neurotransmitters, and they diffuse and create essential pathways in the world of memories.

The connections your brain creates will change over time, and this is why you may remember something differently as time passes. These changes also are one of the reasons why memory may be considered unreliable. Repeating behaviors or lessons is often the key to remembering it because the synapses strengthen as your cells signal to one another as the hippocampus approves and prioritize this repetition. This occurs much in the same way as your muscles strengthening when you work out.

How encoding selects

You may wonder how your brain selects what you should remember. You are unable to remember every second of every day, so how in the world does your brain know what to encode? There are a few ways it does so.

Most of what you experience throughout your day can be remembered in a short-term manner. For example, if someone tells you their lunch order, you should remember it without a problem. However, if you are asked about that order a day later, it may be harder to remember.

So how does memory become long-term? According to researchers, it’s all about how distinct the memory is in the first place.

For example, you wake up every day. You are not going to remember every time you wake up because this is not a remarkably distinct event. There may be slight differences, but for the most part, you will not remember these unremarkable waking moments. But one day, you wake up to the ground shaking because of a slight earthquake. This is a unique memory, and you will probably remember this rude awakening months or even years later with vivid details. You will also most likely remember the emotion you experienced, as these feelings help to imbed this distinct memory into your long-term bank. 

Humans are emotional creatures, so any event attached to a significant emotion can be easier to remember. These emotional cues are why we remember fighting with someone so well but are unable to recall all the civil moments you have shared with them. The mind is odd like that, but at the same time, you can understand why it works that way when you consider the distinction occasional arguments bring. 

How to improve encoding and memory recall

Have you studied intensely for an exam, but once it is time to take the test, you feel you are unable to remember a thing? This is because it’s hard to encode and remember things properly. With the many ways that humans encode information, finding out how you encode best can be valuable in learning how to recall information with ease.

You may have heard of mnemonics. If you do not know the term, it is a well-studied memory tool that improves a person’s ability to recall information. For example, “My very educated mother just served us nachos” is a good way to remember the eight planets in their order. Every first letter of the word stands for the planet. Our brain remembers mnemonics because of the organizational structure and the distinct phrase.

If you want to remember something, try mnemonics out. Here are a few other ways you can recall information.

  • One way you can recall a piece of information is by associating it with a memory. You can recall a fact by visualizing it, for example.
  • Associating a memory with sight, smell, or another method can make it much easier to recall. For example, you may try to remember a fact by learning about it in a room with a certain scent.
  • Trying to remember something can be easier if you have a certain location to remember it in.

Seeking professional help for affected memory 

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Want to learn more about how your memories can impact you?

When one thinks of memory problems, one may imagine an older adult with dementia. However, anyone at any age can have experience difficulty with memories and remembering things in general. Having trouble sleeping lately? It can affect your memory. Are you always busy? This can change how you remember things as well. Your mental state, such as experiencing depression or anxiety, can affect your memory, too.

Fortunately, if you have problems remembering information, there are treatments available to identify the cause and help improve your memory. Be sure to check with your healthcare provider who can help you identify any health conditions that may be causing memory loss or difficulties with concentration. However, many times the stress of work or family (or both) and other mental health issues can affect our ability to function with ease. In these cases, talking to a mental health therapist who can help you identify underlying causes of affected memory. 

Licensed therapists and counselors can assist people to improve their memory, to manage mental health conditions that would otherwise affect memory, and to process through any difficult memories. You can find a therapist online or in-person to help you with your specific mental health and emotional needs. If it is difficult for you to connect with a therapist in an office or you live in a rural area, online therapy may be an appropriate option. Studies have shown that online interventions have helped people with heightened anxiety and depression connected with deficits in working memory. As you seek out a mental health provider, ask about their training and experiences in working with the symptoms and conditions you need help with, especially if you feel that your memory may have a basis in these symptoms.

Takeaway

The human brain is a fascinating structure that plays a crucial role in our ability to absorb, retain, and recall important information crucial to our survival. However, there are times when we are unable to focus or recall important information that helps us function with ease through daily life. Sleeping well, eating a healthy diet, and finding time for self-care are all ways you can help to improve your clarity of mind and memory recall. When this is not enough, consider online therapy. You may simply need a professional to listen as you work through issues that are affecting you peace of mind. An online therapist is available to not only listen without bias, but also guide you in new strategies to improve your state of mind and general sense of well-being. 

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