Memory

1
Memory

• Chapter 7 Weiten

2
Memory

• 3 Stages of memory
• Theories of Forgetting
• Accuracy of Eyewitness Testimony

3
Recognition vs Recall

• Recognition is always easier than recall
• Often cant describe something, but can identify
  it

4
Information Processing

• Atkinson Shiffrin 3 System Model
• Levels-of-Processing Theory

5
Basic Memory Processes

• Encoding information is encoded into memory
• Storage-retain info over time
• Retrieval-get information back
• Most problems are probably with retrieval

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3 Stages of Memory

• Sensory Register
• Short-term Memory (STM)
• Long-term Memory (LTM)
• Model proposed by Atkinson Schiffrin

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Sensory Register

• Holds exact copy of a sensory event very briefly
• Visual image ¼ second
• Sound vivid ¼ second weak 4 seconds
• Capacity? Vast

8
Short-term Memory (STM)

• Brief storage about 20 seconds
• Rehearsal can increase the length of time
• Capacity 7 or 2
• Chunking can increase
• Why were phone numbers 7 digits? The magic
  number 7 (above).

9
Long-Term Memory (LTM)

• Capacity unlimited
• Duration some memories are permanent
• Retrieval
• information is organized, indexed
• retrieval cues

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LTM -really unlimited?

• Yes. For some things, memory will not end.
• Dont fear cluttering up your mind.
• In fact, the more you know, the more you can
  know.
• Why? More retrieval cues.

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Retrieval Cues

• Cant remember NOT because it isnt in LTM but
  because you couldnt find it
• With the cue, you could find it so it was not
  gone.
• When you remember something after a test, a sign
  it was there but badly retrieved by you

12
Features of LTM

• Memory is for meaning, not details
• Bulk of items is stored semantically
• Shouldnt try to memorize but encode meaning

13
Look at your needle list

• Did you remember the words I said first best?
• you should
• Recall the beginning of a list best
• Called the Primacy effect

14
Recency Effect

• Recall end of list
• Linked to STM
• Items in middle arent there anymore.

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3 Types of LTM

• Procedural how to do things
• Episodic specific experiences and information
• Semantic-meanings of words, concepts, facts.

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Rehearsal

• Maintenance rehearsal-mental or verbal repetition
  of information to maintain it beyond its STM 20
  seconds.
• Have to keep repeating, cant be interrupted
  while doing this
• Dont try this as a study strategy

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Elaborative Rehearsal

• Focusing on the meaning of information to try to
  get it into LTM
• Even if you have to impose meaning on something
  do it for it will be easier to learn.
• Droodles example.

18
Levels of Processing Framework

• Information processed at a deeper level will be
  retained
• Deep processing involves the meaning of the new
  information

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Context effect

• Tendency to remember information more easily when
  you try to retrieve it in the same place you
  learned it
• Study as close to conditions as possible.

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State Dependent Effects

• Mood and internal state may also provide
  retrieval cues
• Effects are weak and only for free recall

21
Flashbulb memories

• Incredibly vivid memories about distinct events
• Actually this appear to be subject to distortion
  and fading just as with all memories
• Confidence is higher, accuracy may not be.

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Why do we forget?

• Retrieval failure
• Incomplete encoding
• LTM decay
• LTM retrieval problems including interference
  from other memories
• We intended to.

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Two types of interference

• Retroactive interference-new memories interfere
  with older memories
• Proactive interference-older memories interfere
  with new memories.

24
Motivated Forgetting

• Freudian explanation
• Repress bad memories
• Intentional forgetting

25
Reconstruction theory

• Memories are reconstructed during retrieval
• We remember how it usually goes
• We fill in the blanks.

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Words used to prompt recall can affect recall

• Loftus vehicle study
• Word used Estimated speed
• Contacted 32 mph
• Hit 34 mph
• Bumped 38 mph
• Collided 39 mph
• Smashed 41 mph

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Eyewitness Memory

• Loftus are unreliable.
• influenced by leading questions
• Eyewitness identifications particularly suspect
• Exceptionally bad when they are cross-racial

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Amnesia

• Retrograde
• memory loss for past info
• Anterograde
• inability to store new information
• Case of H.M. in book is anterograde.

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What amnesia tells us about memory

• STM and LTM do seem to be based on different
  mechanisms
• Procedural and episodic memory are distinct
• H.M. could remember a job skill, but not that he
  had a job.

30
Mnemonics

• Memory aids
• Typically use vivid imagery
• Examples
• method of loci
• acronyms (Homes, Roy G. Biv)

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What you can do for your loser memory

• 1. Study more often to boost cues for LTM.
• 2. Actively think about the material, esp. how
  to apply it.
• 3. Make it more personally meaningful.
• 4. Test your own knowledge (rehearses it, gives
  cues, and determines what you dont know).
• 5. Organize, organize, organize.