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created by sensory input, such as sight, hearing, feel and touch. The
stronger the sensory input, the stronger the chemical connection and
the stronger the memory. In the non-medical terms, it is simply the
ability to remember something.
The 3 R’s of memory:
In the natural process of memory there are three distinct phases when
remembering something: the registration phase, the retention phase
and the recall phase.
Registration:
Registration is simply the awareness of information. Although most
people have seen a penny a thousand or more times in their life, most
aren’t able to tell if the head on the penny is facing left or right. This is
because the mind hasn’t registered this as an important piece of
information. Registration is first becoming aware of the information.
Retention:
Once the mind has registered the information, a decision is made
whether to remember the information or dismiss it. This is the retention
phase. Retention and registration does occur unconsciously, but for
studying most people need to make this a conscious decision.
Recall:
Recall is the ability for the mind to recall the information. The mind is a
bit like a filing cabinet, if all the information is just stuffed in, recalling
the information is very difficult. However, if the information is
systematically
filed, recall occurs much faster because it can be
accessed directly. It is the recall phase that most students have the
greatest difficulty and so most of the memory aids are based on the
recall phase.
Student Comment:
I never realized the importance of recall in memory. I always
thought that my ‘memory’ was bad. I would memorize the
answers, but when it came back to asking the question, I
wouldn’t be able to ‘remember’ the answer. However, after,
when I looked at the answer, I knew that I knew it. I realise
now the problem wasn’t with my retention of information, it
was with my recall and I quickly solved my memory problem.
High School Student – Toronto Canada
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