levels of processing theory

The levels of processing theory suggests that how deeply information is mentally processed affects how well it's remembered. Shallow processing involves focusing on surface features, like the appearance or sound of words, leading to poor recall. Deeper processing involves thinking about meaning, relationships, or context, which results in stronger, more durable memories. Essentially, meaningful engagement with information enhances retention, so the more you "think about" or relate to the material, the better you'll remember it later.