Memory and Learning
How the human brain encodes, stores, and retrieves information.
6 min readUpdated July 8, 2026
Types of memory
Sensory memory lasts a fraction of a second, short-term memory a few seconds, and long-term memory potentially a lifetime. Working memory is our mental scratchpad.
Encoding and retrieval
We remember better when we connect new information to what we already know, use active recall, and space our practice over time.
Study implications
Techniques like spaced repetition, retrieval practice, and interleaving are backed by decades of cognitive research and outperform passive re-reading.