Final answer:
People generally remember some of the information they communicate. Memory retention is stronger when information is deeply processed, especially semantically. Contextualizing data and understanding meanings helps in remembering better.
Step-by-step explanation:
In general, people remember some of what they say rather than most, all, or none. This retention of information is related to how the information is processed and encoded. Studies have shown that the depth of processing affects memory retention, with semantic processing (thinking about the meaning) generally leading to better recall than acoustic (sound-based) or visual processing. Moreover, the capacity of short-term memory is approximately 7 items, plus or minus 2, as proposed by George Miller, though contemporary research suggests a slightly lower capacity.
It's important to consider that material is better encoded when it is meaningful, which facilitates memory retention. Contextualizing information or associating it with semantic cues can greatly enhance recall ability. Therefore, while people may remember some of what they say, employing strategies that deepen the processing can significantly improve how much is remembered.