Class 11 Psychology - ODISHA
Human Memory
The chapter 'Human Memory' in Class 11 Psychology explores how our mind encodes, stores, and retrieves information. It covers Atkinson and Shiffrin's stage model of memory, which includes Sensory Memory, Short-Term Memory (STM), and Long-Term Memory (LTM). Students will also learn about the nature of working memory, levels of processing, types of long-term memory such as declarative and procedural memory, and the reasons why we forget, including interference and decay. Mastering this chapter is essential for Odisha Board examinations as it forms the foundational base for cognitive psychology and frequently appears in short, long, and case-based questions.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Sensory Memory
The initial stage of memory that holds incoming sensory information in its raw form for a very brief period, typically lasting less than a second.
Short-Term Memory (STM)
A memory store that holds limited amounts of information for a short duration, usually around 30 seconds, often referred to as working memory.
Long-Term Memory (LTM)
The vast and permanent storehouse of information, encompassing episodic, semantic, and procedural memories with a limitless capacity.
Levels of Processing
Craik and Lockhart's theory stating that the depth at which we analyze information during encoding (structural, phonemic, or semantic) determines how well we remember it.
Forgetting and Interference
The inability to retrieve previously stored information, often caused by proactive interference (old memories blocking new ones) or retroactive interference (new memories blocking old ones).
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Odisha (BSE) Class 11 Psychology examination, this chapter typically carries around 8 to 12 marks. Questions commonly include 1-mark objective questions, 2-mark short notes on STM or LTM, and 4 to 6-mark long-answer questions explaining the stage model of memory or causes of forgetting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Short-Term Memory and Long-Term Memory?
Short-Term Memory has a very limited capacity and holds information for a brief duration (less than a minute), whereas Long-Term Memory has a virtually unlimited capacity and can store information for a lifetime.
Why do we forget information according to psychology?
Forgetting occurs due to various reasons such as trace decay (fading over time), interference from other memories, lack of proper encoding, or failure in retrieval cues.
How can I improve my memory for board exams?
You can improve memory using mnemonic devices, elaborative rehearsal, organizing information logically, practicing spaced repetition, and getting adequate sleep.
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