Levels of Processing in Memory

Levels of Processing in Memory

Introduction

The retrieval and recalling of memory depends largely on how it was processed. Therefore it is important to gain a deeper insight into the processing theories and concepts. This essay aims to discuss the level of processing effect with particular emphasis on the three levels and different types, and highlight the concepts learned herein.

Discussion

Level of Processing Approach

The Level of Processing effect was an approach to explaining the memory processing procedure, modeled in 1972 by Fergus I. M. Craik and Robert S. Lockhart. The framework was proposed in response to the criticism that had risen against multistore theories of memory. It goes beyond the traditional definitions of short term and long term memory (which are still approved) and rather emphasizes on the processes involved in the encoding, storage and retrieval of memory. It relies on the basic premise that the construct of memory is a result of the manner in which it was processed. According to (Craik & Lockhart, 1972) there are three ways in which information can be processed:

Shallow Processing

This involves processing dependent on orthographic and phonemic parts, which is why the LOP approach is said to be seen from the encoding end. Shallow processing leads to memory traces highly prone to decay, hence indicating towards the fragile nature of this type. It takes the form of structural processing (orthography) and the phonemic processing (phoneme: sound). Shallow Processing depends on rehearsal and maintenance of memory through repetition, which is why it can be retained only for the short term. For instance, if an apple is taken as the stimulus, questions regarding its color and visual effect/physical appearance would place the processing on the 'shallow'end of the LOP continuum.

Intermediate Processing

Intermediate Processing rests somewhere in the middle of the LOP continuum. It depends on the phonetic and auditory conception of the stimulus, for instance, if we return back to the stimulus used to elaborate the previous example, the apple would be conceived in terms of the words it rhymes with, for instance, 'chapel' (Baine, 1986). As it is with other types of processing, intermediate processing also depends heavily on the length of exposure to the stimulus, amongst many other factors. Intermediate processing relates to the concepts of short term memory and long term memory more than shallow or deep processing would, as it is establishing middle ground between the two ends. This is why (depending on practice and rehearsal) the conceived memory could either stay in the short term and fade away from the conscious mind or move on to long term memory, from where it can be accessed and retrieved easily.

Deep Processing

Deep processing relies mainly on the semantic conception of a stimulus, for instance, the meaning we attach to the stimulus in order to memorize it. Deep processing involves conceptual analysis, for example, the apple stimulus considered previously might be perceived in terms of evaluative qualities (good, bad, edible, etc). Encoding takes place on the later end of the LOP continuum, and the analysis ...