Human Memory

Human Memory

Understanding Human Memory Blocks

Human memory blocks refer to the different types of memory that humans use to encode, store, and retrieve information. These memory blocks play a critical role in how individuals interact with and perceive the world around them. In the context of product and service design, understanding how human memory works can help designers create more effective and memorable experiences for users.

Product and service design with a focus on human memory:

  1. Types of Memory and Their Characteristics
  2. Memory Encoding Strategies
  3. Forgetting Curve
  4. Levels of Processing
  5. Memory Retrieval Cues
  6. Dual Coding Theory
  7. Industry Benchmark Timings
  8. Industry Benchmark Timings UI Tasks
  9. The most used UI components' Timings

In product and service design, understanding human memory blocks is essential for creating experiences that users can easily remember and recall. Designers can use principles such as repetition, association, and simplicity to help users encode and store information more effectively.

Human memory blocks are particularly important in GUI for software applications. The design of a GUI can significantly impact how users perceive and remember information. By leveraging the principles of human memory, designers can create interfaces that are easy to navigate and use, reducing cognitive load and improving user experience.

Using human memory blocks for software design has several benefits, including increased engagement, retention, and satisfaction. Designers who understand how human memory works can create experiences that are memorable, intuitive, and enjoyable for users.

Understanding human memory blocks is an essential aspect of product and service design, UX, and UI design. By leveraging the principles of human memory, designers can create experiences that are memorable, efficient, and user-friendly. By creating interfaces that are optimised for human memory, designers can enhance user engagement, retention, and satisfaction.

1. Types of Memory and Their Characteristics

Type of Memory Capacity Duration Retrieval Cognitive Load Examples
Sensory Memory Limited <1 sec Automatic Low Iconic memory (visual), echoic memory (auditory)
Short-Term Memory (Working Memory) Limited ~20-30 sec Effortful High Phone numbers, shopping lists, mental arithmetic
Long-Term Memory Unlimited Days to years Effortful Moderate to high Personal memories, academic knowledge, skills and habits


This table outlines the different types of memory and their characteristics, which can be useful in designing products and services that take advantage of or support these different memory types. For example, a product that relies heavily on visual cues may want to take advantage of sensory memory, while a service that requires users to remember complex information may want to help users move that information from short-term to long-term memory.

2. Memory Encoding Strategies

Strategy Description Example
Rehearsal Repetition of information to maintain it in short-term memory Repeating a phone number over and over to remember it
Elaboration Linking new information to existing knowledge or creating associations with other information Remembering a new person's name by associating it with someone you already know
Chunking Breaking up information into smaller, more manageable pieces Remembering a long number by breaking it into groups of three or four digits
Mnemonics Using a memorable phrase or image to encode information Remembering a list of items by creating an acronym from the first letter of each item

 

This table outlines different memory encoding strategies that can be used to help users remember information. These strategies can be useful in product and service design by providing ways to help users encode information more effectively.

3. Forgetting Curve

Time Since Learning Percentage of Information Remembered
Immediately 100%
20 minutes 58%
1 hour 44%
9 hours 33%
1 day 25%
2 days 21%
1 week 10%


This table shows the forgetting curve, which describes how much information is retained over time after it is learned. This can be useful in product and service design by helping designers understand when and how users are likely to forget information and design interventions to help them remember more effectively. For example, a service might send users reminders to review important information at intervals when they are likely to be forgetting it.

4. Levels of Processing

Level Description Example
Shallow Processing information based on its physical characteristics, such as its appearance or sound Remembering a phone number as a string of numbers
Intermediate Processing information based on its meaning within a particular context Remembering a phone number as the number for a particular person or organisation
Deep Processing information by connecting it to existing knowledge and creating new mental models or associations Remembering a phone number as part of a larger set of personal contacts, or as part of a broader area code or region

 

This table outlines the levels of the processing framework, which suggests that information is more likely to be remembered if it is processed at a deeper level. This can be useful in product and service design by helping designers create experiences that encourage users to engage with information at a deeper level.

5. Memory Retrieval Cues

Type Description Example
Contextual Using the physical or environmental cues from the original learning context to aid retrieval Remembering where you put your keys by retracing your steps
Semantic Using associations or connections between different pieces of information to aid retrieval Remembering the name of an actor by thinking of the movies they have appeared in
Emotional Using emotional associations or cues to aid retrieval Remembering a past event more vividly if it was associated with a strong emotional response

 

This table outlines different types of memory retrieval cues that can be used to help users remember information. Designers can use this information to create products and services that provide these types of cues to help users retrieve information more effectively.

6. Dual Coding Theory

Type of Code Description Example
Verbal Processing information through language and words Remembering a list of words by repeating them out loud
Visual Processing information through images and spatial relationships Remembering a list of words by creating mental images that represent them

 

This table outlines dual coding theory, which suggests that information is more likely to be remembered if it is processed in both verbal and visual codes. This can be useful in product and service design by helping designers create experiences that incorporate both verbal and visual information to help users remember information more effectively.

7. Industry Benchmarks Timings Metrics

Memory Type Capacity Duration Cognitive Load Effort Other Metrics
Sensory Memory Limited 1-3 seconds Low Passive Information fades quickly, only a small amount is retained
Short-Term Memory (Working Memory) Limited 15-30 seconds Moderate Active Capacity can be increased with chunking and repetition, but the information is easily lost
Long-Term Memory (Explicit Memory) Large Days to years High Active Information is encoded and stored for later retrieval but requires effort to recall
Long-Term Memory (Explicit Memory) Large Days to years Low Passive

Information is stored unconsciously and retrieved without effort, such as procedural memory


The table outlines industry benchmarks for memory types based on various timing metrics. It provides information on the capacity, duration, cognitive load, effort, and other metrics associated with Sensory Memory, Short-Term Memory (Working Memory), and Long-Term Memory (Explicit Memory). The table indicates that Sensory Memory has a limited capacity and information fades quickly, while Short-Term Memory has a slightly longer duration but is easily lost. Long-Term Memory has a large capacity and information can be stored for a long time but requires effort to recall. Additionally, the table notes that Long-Term Memory can be further classified into Explicit Memory and Procedural Memory, which differ in their cognitive load and effort required for retrieval.

8. Industry Benchmarks Timings UI Tasks

Memory Type Capacity Duration Cognitive Load Effort Other Metrics
Sensory Memory Limited 1-3 seconds Low Passive Recognising visual patterns, detecting changes
Short-Term Memory (Working Memory) Limited 15-30 seconds Moderate Active Remembering text or visual information, following multi-step instructions
Long-Term Memory (Explicit Memory) Large Days to years High Active Recalling past experiences, entering login credentials
Long-Term Memory (Explicit Memory) Large Days to years Low Passive Navigating familiar interfaces, using keyboard shortcuts


The table outlines industry benchmarks for memory types based on UI (User Interface) tasks, providing information on the capacity, duration, cognitive load, effort, and other metrics associated with Sensory Memory, Short-Term Memory (Working Memory), and Long-Term Memory (Explicit Memory) for such tasks. The table indicates that Sensory Memory plays a role in recognising visual patterns and detecting changes in the UI, while Short-Term Memory is involved in remembering text or visual information and following multi-step instructions. Long-Term Memory is responsible for recalling past experiences and entering login credentials, and it can be further classified into Explicit Memory and Procedural Memory, with Explicit Memory involved in navigation and keyboard shortcuts, which can be used passively once learned.

9. The most used UI components

UI Component Memory Type Capacity Duration Cognitive Load Effort UI Tasks Easy to Remember and Re-Use Other Details
Buttons Short-term Memory Limited 15-30 seconds Moderate Active Triggering actions, selecting options Easily recognisable and familiar Buttons can be enhanced with visual cues and feedback to increase user engagement
Dropdowns Short-term Memory Limited 15-30 seconds Moderate Active Selecting options from a list Limited capacity, can be overwhelming with too many options Dropdowns should be designed with clear and concise labels and be easy to scroll and navigate
Text Fields Short-term Memory Limited 15-30 seconds Moderate Active Entering text, providing input Capacity can be increased with autocomplete and validation Text fields should be designed with clear and concise labels, validation messages, and placeholders
Radio Buttons Short-term Memory Limited 15-30 seconds Moderate Active Selecting a single option from a list Easily recognisable and familiar Radio buttons should be designed with clear and concise labels and be grouped logically
Checkboxes Short-term Memory Limited 15-30 seconds Moderate Active Selecting multiple options from a list Capacity can be increased with clear and concise labels and smart defaults Checkboxes should be designed with clear and concise labels and be grouped logically
Navigation Menus Long-term Memory Large Days to years High Active Navigating to different pages or sections Capacity can be increased with clear and consistent labelling and organisation Navigation menus should be designed with a clear and consistent hierarchy and be easily accessible
Icons Short-term Memory Limited 15-30 seconds Moderate Active Selecting options from a list Limited capacity, can be overwhelming with too many options Dropdowns should be designed with clear and concise labels and be easy to scroll and navigate
Icons Sensory Memory Limited 1-3 seconds Low Active Selecting a range of values Capacity can be increased with clear and concise labels and visual feedback Sliders should be designed with clear and concise labels and be easy to slide and adjust

 

The table outlines the most commonly used UI (User Interface) components, their associated memory type, capacity, duration, cognitive load, effort, UI tasks, ease of remembering and re-using, and other details. The UI components included are Buttons, Dropdowns, Text Fields, Radio Buttons, Checkboxes, Navigation Menus, and Icons.

Please note that these benchmarks are based on general estimates and may vary depending on individual differences, context, and other factors.

In addition to capacity and duration, it's important to consider other metrics that affect human memory, such as cognitive load, effort, and attention. Cognitive load refers to the mental effort required to process and retain information, and it can be affected by factors such as complexity, novelty, and distractions. Effort refers to the conscious and deliberate actions required to encode, store, and retrieve information, and it can be affected by factors such as motivation, interest, and relevance.

Designers can use this information to create experiences that are optimised for human memory, such as by reducing cognitive load, increasing relevance, and providing feedback and reinforcement. By designing interfaces that take into account the limitations and capabilities of human memory, designers can create experiences that are more effective, efficient, and user-friendly.