Final answer:
Structural encoding is a type of encoding that involves organizing and categorizing information based on its structure or appearance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Structural encoding is a type of encoding that involves organizing and categorizing information based on its structure or appearance. It is a way of encoding information into our memory system by focusing on the physical characteristics or visual features of the information. For example, when we remember a list of words, we might group them together based on their length or the shape of the letters.
One study conducted by Bousfield (1935) showed that people tend to remember words better when they are presented in categories, even if the categories were not explicitly mentioned. This suggests that our brain naturally encodes information structurally by paying attention to the visual or physical properties of the information.
Overall, structural encoding involves organizing and processing information based on its structure or appearance, which can enhance our memory of the information.