Final answer:
Memory involves the brain's processes of encoding, storing, and retrieving information, which it organizes into concepts for efficient management and future use.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Memory and Information Processing
Memory refers to the information that the brain collects, stores, and may use at a later time. Encoding is the initial process of converting sensory input into a form that can be placed into memory. Our brains take the encoded information and place it in storage, creating a permanent record. Retrieval is the process of accessing this stored information when needed. To effectively manage this large amount of information, our brains develop concepts, which help keep information organized and accessible within our cognitive 'file cabinet.'
The brain's ability to integrate new information and form memories is a sign of its plasticity. By remodeling in response to experience, the brain uses its sensory inputs, not only from external stimuli but also from emotions and memories, to process thoughts. As memory is an information processing system, it is useful to compare it to how a computer works, involving encoding, storage, and retrieval functions.