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Higher order encoding: Process or state?

¹Ohio State University, 43210, Columbus, Ohio.

Memory & Cognition

|November 12, 2013

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study investigated how information is encoded into memory. Findings suggest that information is initially registered in memory in an encoded state, rather than being actively encoded after registration.

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Area of Science:

Cognitive Psychology
Neuroscience
Memory Research

Background:

Prior research suggested learning involves encoding into higher-order memory units, not just inter-item associations.
The specific mechanisms of information encoding in memory remained largely undefined.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the process of information encoding in memory.
To differentiate between two proposed models of memory encoding.

Main Methods:

Two distinct encoding models were proposed and evaluated.
Empirical data from two studies were used to test the models' predictions.

Main Results:

The results provided stronger support for the model where information is initially registered in memory in an encoded state.
This contrasts with a model suggesting active encoding occurs after initial registration.

Conclusions:

The findings indicate that memory encoding is likely an initial process where information is registered in an already encoded form.
This supports a passive encoding model over an active encoding model for memory formation.