Encoding & Storage

Memory: Encoding & Storage

Information Processing

Frank Wartenberg/ Picture Press/ Corbis

Bob Daemmrich/ The Image Works

Bob Daemmrich/ The Image Works

Atkinson-Schiffrin three-stage model of memory includes a) sensory memory, b) short-term memory and c) long-term memory.

Information Processing

Frank Wartenberg/ Picture Press/ Corbis

Bob Daemmrich/ The Image Works

Bob Daemmrich/ The Image Works

a) sensory memory-immediate, very brief recording of sensory information in the memory system

Information Processing

Frank Wartenberg/ Picture Press/ Corbis

Bob Daemmrich/ The Image Works

Bob Daemmrich/ The Image Works

b) short-term memory-activated memory that hold a few items briefly before it is stored or forgotten

Information Processing

Frank Wartenberg/ Picture Press/ Corbis

Bob Daemmrich/ The Image Works

Bob Daemmrich/ The Image Works

b) short-term memory-activated memory that hold a few items briefly before it is stored or forgotten

Information Processing

Frank Wartenberg/ Picture Press/ Corbis

Bob Daemmrich/ The Image Works

Bob Daemmrich/ The Image Works

c) long-term memory-relatively permanent and limitless storehouse of the memory system. Includes knowledge, skills, and experiences.

Modifications to the Three-Stage Model 1. Some information skips the first two stages and enters long-term memory automatically.

2. Since we cannot focus on all the sensory information received, we select information that is important to us and actively process it into our working memory.

Frank Wartenberg/ Picture Press/ Corbis

Bob Daemmrich/ The Image Works

Bob Daemmrich/ The Image Works

Information Processing

What is special about working memory?

Working Memory Store • What happens if you need to keep information in working memory longer than 30 seconds? • To demonstrate, memorize the following phone number (presented one digit at a time):

Working Memory Store

8 5 7 9 16 3

Working Memory Store • What is the number?

857-9163

• The number lasted in your working memory longer than 30 seconds • So how were you able to remember the number?

Maintenance Rehearsal • Mental or verbal repitition of information allows it to stay in your working memory longer than the usual 30 seconds • What is the number? 857-9163

Encoding: Getting Information in

Encoding: Getting Information In How We Encode 1. Some information (route to your school) is automatically processed. 2. However novel information (friend’s new cell-phone number) requires attention and effort.

Automatic Processing Enormous amount of information is processed effortlessly by us, like: 1. Space: While reading a textbook you automatically encode place of a picture on a page. 2. Time: We unintentionally note the events that take place in a day. 3. Frequency: You effortlessly keep track of things that happened to you.

Effortful Processing

© Bananastock/ Alamy

Spencer Grant/ Photo Edit

Novel information committed to memory requires effort, like learning a concept from a text. Such processing leads to durable and accessible memories.

Rehearsal Effortful learning usually requires rehearsal or conscious repetition. http://www.isbn3-540-21358-9.de

Ebbinghaus studied rehearsal by using nonsense syllables: TUV YOF GEK XOZ Hermann Ebbinghaus (1850-1909)

Rehearsal

The more times the nonsense syllables were practiced on Day 1, the fewer repetitions were required to relearn them on Day 2.

Memory Effects 1. Next-in-line-Effect: When your recall is better for what other people say but poor for a person just before you in line. 2. Spacing Effect: We retain information better when our rehearsal is distributed over time.

3. Serial Position Effect: When your recall is better for first and last items, but poor for middle items on a list.

Serial Position Effect 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

TUV ZOF GEK WAV XOZ TIK FUT WIB SAR POZ REY GIJ

Better recall

Poor recall

Better recall

Memory Demo Handout 27-1

What We Encode 1. Encoding by meaning 2. Encoding by images 3. Encoding by organization

Encoding Meaning “Whale” Q: Did the word begin with a capital letter?

Structural Encoding

Shallow

Q: Did the word rhyme with the word “weight”?

Phonemic Encoding

Intermediate

Q: Would the word fit in the sentence? He met a __________ in the street.

Semantic Encoding

Deep

Craik and Lockhart (1972)

Results

Visual Encoding Mental pictures (imagery) are a powerful aid to effortful processing, especially when combined with semantic encoding.

Showing adverse effects of meth use in a picture may be more powerful than simply talking about it.

Storage: Retaining Information  Sensory Memory  Working/Short-term Memory  Long-Term Memory  Storing Memories in the Brain

Déja Vu means "I've experienced this before.” Cues from the current situation may unconsciously trigger retrieval of an earlier similar experience.

Retrieval Cues Memories are held in storage by a web of associations. These associations are like anchors that help retrieve memory. water

smell fire smoke

Fire Truck

heat

truck red

hose

Storage: Retaining Information the heart of memory is storage. Three stores of memory are : Sensory Memory

Working Memory

Long-term Memory

Encoding

Events Encoding

Retrieval

Retrieval

Sensory Memory Sensory Memory

Working Memory

Long-term Memory

Encoding

Events Encoding

Retrieval

Retrieval

Sensory Memory Sensory Memory

Iconic memory—few tenths of a second

Events

Echoic memory—3 or 4 seconds

Working Memory Sensory Memory

Working Memory

Long-term Memory

Encoding

Events Encoding

Retrieval

Retrieval

Long-Term Memory Sensory Memory

Working Memory

Long-term Memory

Encoding

Events Encoding

Retrieval

Retrieval

Long-Term Memory Unlimited! Estimates on capacity range from 1000 billion to 1,000,000 billion bits of information.

Clark’s nutcracker can locate 6,000 caches of buried pine seeds during winter & spring.

Rajan Mahadevan recited 31, 811 digits of pi on July 4th, 1983

Hippocampus ≠ Cerebellum Hippocampus – a neural center in the limbic system that processes explicit memories.

Cerebellum – a neural center in the hindbrain that processes implicit memories.

Explicit Memories Explicit Memory refers to facts and experiences that one can consciously know and declare.

What is the capital of Kyirblahkyrstan?

Hippocampus ≠ Cerebellum Hippocampus – a neural center in the limbic system that processes explicit memories.

Cerebellum – a neural center in the hindbrain that processes implicit memories.

Implicit Memories Implicit memory involves learning an action, but the individual doesn’t know/declare what she knows.

Two Types of Long-Term Memory

Stress Hormones & Memory Heightened emotions (stress related or otherwise) make for stronger memories. Continued stress can disrupt memory.