How Does Craik and Lockharts levels of processing Work?

Craik and Lockhart’s levels of processing explain how we remember things based on how deeply we think about them.

Imagine you’re playing a game with your toys. If you just glance at a toy car and say, “That’s a car,” you might forget it quickly, like if someone hides it under the couch. But if you really think about it, maybe you imagine driving it around the house, naming its colors, or even pretending it's a race car, you're more likely to remember it later.

There are three levels of processing:

This is like just looking at the toy and saying, “It’s red.” You’re only thinking about the surface, what it looks like. It’s quick but not very strong for memory.

Now you're thinking a little more, maybe you say, “It's a car, and I like it.” You’re connecting it to your feelings or simple ideas. This helps you remember better than just looking at it.

This is when you really think about the toy, you imagine driving it around the block, naming its parts, or even making up a story with it. The deeper you think, the better you’ll remember it later!

So next time you learn something new, try to think deeply, like you're telling a story with your toys, and you'll remember it for longer!