Final answer:
The phenomenon referred to as transience is where memory becomes fragmented over time and memory utilization declines. Transience is often due to storage decay and may be compounded by encoding failures, memory trace decay, and interference between old and new memories. Strategies like using mnemonic devices and getting adequate sleep can help enhance memory retention and retrieval.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Memory Decay and Utilization
As time goes on, memory becomes more and more fragmented, and memory utilization declines, creating a phenomenon referred to as transience. Transience is the term used to describe the tendency for memories to fade over time. This is a natural part of the memory process, often resulting from storage decay, where unused information tends to decline with the passage of time. Encoding failure is another aspect of this phenomenon, which occurs when information is never stored accurately in memory, to begin with.
Moreover, memory trace decay and interference, both proactive and retroactive, play significant roles in the decline of memory utilization. Memory trace decay happens when a memory loses its strength over time, while interference refers to the confusion between old and new memories, making it harder to recall specific information. Long-term memory (LTM), which has an essentially unlimited capacity for information storage, can also be susceptible to forgetting if not properly consolidated and retrieved.
Several strategies can enhance memory retention and retrieval, including mnemonic devices, rehearsal, self-referencing, and ensuring adequate sleep. These strategies can help combat the normal processes that lead to memory deterioration.