Final answer:
Memory aids that help organize information for encoding are known as mnemonic devices. The three basic functions of memory are encoding, storage, and retrieval. Mnemonic devices utilize semantic encoding to improve memory recall.
Step-by-step explanation:
Memory aids that help us organize information for encoding are called mnemonic devices. These devices are particularly useful when trying to remember complex information such as sequences or lists. For example, the mnemonic 'Mr. VEM J. SUN' can help someone recall the order of the planets in the solar system. The primary functions of memory include encoding, which is the input of information into the memory system, storage, which involves retaining this information, and retrieval, which is the act of getting information out of memory storage and back into awareness.
Regarding the types of encoding, semantic processing, which involves encoding the meaning of words, is often considered the most effective for remembering verbal information. This is because we connect new information with existing concepts, which helps with both encoding and retrieval. Moreover, the effectiveness of mnemonic devices also relies on semantic encoding due to the association with meaningful content.
Overall, our memory's capability to function efficiently is largely dependent on how well we can encode, store, and retrieve information. Mnemonic devices are just one of the tools that can facilitate better encoding and, subsequently, more effective retrieval of information.