Psychology -> Memory: encoding, storage and retrieval

Encoding, storage and retrieval

Many definitions of memory liken it to a computer system. For information to be successfully memorised and retrieved for later use, it goes through a number of different stages.


Encoding - this involves changing stimuli into a useable form so the information can be transferred into storage. This is just like a computer where information punched into the keyboard is transformed into an electronic code that the computer can store.

Storage - this is the retention of information in our long-term memory (LTM) which can later be retrieved. We store information in different areas of the brain whereas computers store information on disks. Also, the storage of our LTM is limitless however, computers have a finite capacity.

Retrieval - this is the process of recovering information from LTM. We retrieve information via cues or prompts which is similar to computers.