Definition

In psychology, memory is the process by which information is encoded, stored, and retrieved. Encoding allows information that is from the outside world to reach our senses in the forms of chemical and physical stimuli. In this first stage we must change the information so that we may put the memory into the encoding process. Storage is the second memory stage or process. This entails that we maintain information over periods of time. Finally the third process is the retrieval of information that we have stored. We must locate it and return it to our consciousness. Some retrieval attempts may be effortless due to the type of information.

From an information processing perspective there are three main stages in the formation and retrieval of memory:

  • Encoding or registration: receiving, processing and combining of received information
  • Storage: creation of a permanent record of the encoded information
  • Retrieval, recall or recollection: calling back the stored information in response to some cue for use in a process or activity

Reference, Wikipedia


Sub-categories


Working Memory
The ability to hold information in immediate awareness while performing a mental operation on it.


Short-term Memory
The ability to recall information up to one minute. Short-term memory for most is relatively limited, up to seven items such as a phone number. If information is to be recalled later, it must transition into long-term memory.


Long-term Memory
The ability to store information and fluently retrieve it later in the process of thinking. Long-term memory has significantly greater capacity than short-term memory and information can be stored for indefinite periods of time.


Auditory Memory
The ability to recall information that was received via the hearing sensory input system.


Visual Memory
The ability to recall information that was received via the visual sensory input system.

The Gibson Test consists of five visual inputs and five auditory inputs. Questions are asked after each series for a total of 26 questions. Half of the questions are based upon auditory inputs and half on visual. Most of the questions are related to long-term memory (18) and just over half (14) relate to working memory. We are in the process of breaking out the short-term and working memory test into a new test format. The regular memory test will be shortened and focus only on long-term memory. We do not report auditory and visual scores separately, but provide a relative measurement that shows whether one area is significantly stronger than the other or whether they are balanced.