Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated August 2025
Definition
The psychological theory of memory refers to a perspective that explains how our brains encode, store, and retrieve information. It helps us understand the processes involved in remembering and forgetting.
Encoding refers to the process of converting sensory information into a form that can be stored in memory. It involves transforming incoming stimuli into meaningful mental representations.
Retrieval refers to the process of accessing stored information from memory. It involves bringing previously encoded and stored memories back into conscious awareness.