Craik and Lockhart's Levels of Processing

Craik and Lockhart’s Levels of Processing theory suggests that the way we encode information affects how well we remember it. If we process information deeply—by thinking about its meaning and making connections—we're more likely to remember it later. Shallow processing, like just noting its appearance or sound, leads to weaker memory. For example, understanding a concept deeply by relating it to what you already know will help you recall it better than simply memorizing words. Essentially, deeper, meaningful processing creates stronger, more durable memories.