What is the main idea of levels of processing theory?

Levels of processing theory, proposed by cognitive psychologists Craik and Lockhart in 1972, suggests that the depth of processing information has a major impact on how well the information is remembered. According to this theory, information that is more deeply processed and encoded at a semantic level (i.e. focusing on the meaning of the information) is more likely to be remembered than information that is shallowly processed at a superficial level (e.g. focusing on the physical characteristics of the information).

The theory argues that memory is not a static storehouse where information is passively stored, but rather a dynamic process where information is actively processed and transformed in different ways. The depth of processing can be influenced by various factors, such as the relevance of the information, the complexity of the processing tasks, and the amount of attention and effort devoted to processing the information.

Overall, levels of processing theory emphasizes the importance of meaningful and elaborate encoding in memory formation and retrieval. By focusing on the depth of processing, individuals can enhance their ability to remember and retrieve information effectively.