The main processes of memory are memorization, storage, reproduction, recognition, recall and forgetting.
Memorization is a process of memory through which traces are imprinted, new elements of sensation, perception, thinking or experience are introduced into the system of associative links. The basis of memorization is the connection of material with meaning into one whole. The establishment of semantic connections is the result of the work of thinking on the content of the memorized material.
Memorization can be conscious (purposeful) or unconscious (imprinting and involuntary memorization). Memorization is helped by: 1) a fresh head (and for this it is important to get enough sleep), 2) the emotional coloring of the event (if desired, any neutral event can be made emotionally vivid), 3) a positive emotional background (learn to rejoice!), desire, desire to remember. At least when you do not want to remember, usually nothing is remembered. The best thing to remember is the beginning and the end. The law of “place in a series” states that in any sequence, the easiest to remember is the beginning, then the end, and the most difficult part is the part immediately following the middle. The effect of place in the series is manifested in the performance of any task of this kind — from memorizing a telephone number to memorizing a poem.
Storage is the process of accumulation of material in the structure of memory, including its processing and assimilation. The preservation of experience makes it possible for a person to learn, develop his perceptual (internal assessments, perception of the world) processes, thinking and speech.
Reproduction and recognition is the process of updating the elements of past experience (images, thoughts, feelings, movements). A simple form of reproduction is recognition — the recognition of a perceived object or phenomenon as already known from past experience, the establishment of similarities between the object and its image in memory. Reproduction is voluntary and involuntary. With an involuntary image pops up in the head without the efforts of a person.
If in the process of reproduction there are difficulties, then there is a process of recall: the selection of elements necessary from the point of view of the required task. The reproduced information is not an exact copy of what is imprinted in memory. Information is always being transformed, rearranged. As for life events, most people invent rather than remember what happened. Only those who are inclined to believe in fairy tales can believe in human memories.
Forgetting is the loss of the ability to reproduce, and sometimes even recognize, previously memorized. Most often we forget what is insignificant. Forgetting can be partial (reproduction is incomplete or with an error) and complete (impossibility of reproduction and recognition). Distinguish between temporary and long-term forgetting.
Forgetting can be a natural process, and then, first of all, what we don’t think about and what we don’t remember well is forgotten. As a rule, everything we think about before going to bed is forgotten: therefore, write down the important thoughts that came before falling asleep somewhere. On the other hand, sleep well erases bad memories: they lay down, slept, in the morning there are no evening troubles: “Morning is wiser than evening.”
Forgetting can be the result of psychological problems, including the consequence of the displacement of unpleasant events: most people forget unpleasant events rather than pleasant ones.