MEMORY

Meaning and definition of Memory:
Learning is a mental process which is experienced throughout one’s life. It is a continuous process with any individual. What is learnt once should be utilized. Utilization is possible only when the experiences learnt by someway or other is in mind. The ability to store the past experiences of learning and utilizing later is called `Memory’. In the words of Ryburn, ``The power to store our experiences and to bring them into the field of consciousness some time after the experiences have occurred is termed as Memory.” The reproduction or revival is judged in terms of quality.
Factors of memory:.
Memory is not simply a reproduction but it comprises four factors as follows:
i) Learning: Only after learning something we can think of the matter to gain for memory.
ii) Retention: It is necessary to retain the matter learnt in mind leading to memory.
iii) Recalling: This means bringing back to the consciousness which precedes reproduction.
iv) Recognition: The mind should be able to recognize the matter we want when recalled.

Types of memory:
a) Immediate memory: That memory which helps to recall something in a fraction of a second after perceiving the object or receiving the impulse from a stimulus. The time of retention is very short by a fraction to a few seconds. Old sense impressions disappear in a few seconds. Past
Impressions are erased and replaced by new ones. Such type of memory is needed very often.
E-g: Remembering the ticket number and a casual phone number.
b) Short term memory: This is also temporary but a little more than (a) in time factor. The time for such type of memory is up to 30 seconds. By rehearsal, the time of memory can be extended to a few more seconds.
c) Long term memory: A special capacity is required to store the experiences. No rehearsal is needed and there is no decay of memory. Coding arrangement is done in mind by the brain for permanent memory. Bringing back for use is at ease.
d) Rote memory: The case of memorizing a matter without understanding is called rote memory. Memorizing a rhyme or some Vedic slogans without understanding is an example for rote memory.
Forgetting:
Forgetting is a part of our day to day experience. As we say that memory is a gift for somebody so to say with forgetting also. In the words of N.L.Nunn, ``Forgetting is the loss, permanent or temporary, of the ability to recall or recognize something learned earlier.” The factors of forgetting are as follows:
i) Lapse of time
ii) Repression and not willing to recall.
iii) Psychological factors like stress, anxiety, lack of interest, aversion, & psychic problems
iv) Biological factors like old age, diseases, mal-functioning of brain, and nervous system,
accidents, consumption of liquor, using of intoxicating materials, etc.