Final answer:
Elaborative encoding improves memory retention by linking new information with existing knowledge, using techniques like semantic networks and spreading activation. Semantic encoding and visual encoding create stronger memory traces by deep processing and adding imagery, respectively. The self-reference effect also enhances memory by making information personally meaningful.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of elaborative encoding revolves around the idea of connecting new information to existing knowledge in a meaningful way to enhance memory retention. It involves deep processing of information by linking it to other concepts and repeat rehearsal, contributing to the formation of more robust memory traces. For instance, associating a specific area code with a state can aid in remembering phone numbers. Similarly, our memories are organized in semantic networks, where concepts are linked, and the strength of these links is influenced by the frequency of their association. Activating one part of this network can lead to spreading activation, making the recall of associated concepts easier. Moreover, semantic encoding is shown to greatly aid memory retention as it allows for deeper processing. Techniques such as visual encoding complement this by adding layers of imagery, creating stronger memories.
Utilizing the self-reference effect by making information personally relevant or associating it with personal experiences further enhances the chances of retention. Such strategies, frequently used in cognitive psychology, also suggest distributed practice and organized review sessions as effective methods for long-term memory storage. Implicit in the understanding of memory encoding and retention are the neural correlates, as research has demonstrated that different levels of processing have distinct neuroanatomical correlates.