Memory

Chapter 7: Memory Music: “Do You Remember” Featuring Jean Paul “Never Forget You” Noisettes

Agenda 

1. Important information for the next test!

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2. The Memory System

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(i) Sensory Memory  From sensory to short-term memory (ii) Short Term Memory  From short-term to long-term memory (iii) Long Term Memory  Forgetting 3. Eye-Witness Testimonies 4. Application: Improving your memory 5. Movie: Beautiful Minds… (5 min.)

1. Readings for Midterm #2    

Chapter 5 “Variations in Consciousness” Chapter 6 “Learning” Chapter 7 “Memory” Chapter 8 “Language and Thought” 

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Chapter 9 “Intelligence and Psychological Testing” 

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Delete pages 329-344 (Language) Delete pages 369-375

Evaluation:   

Midterm #2 will be worth 20% of your final grade Same format as Midterm #1 Start studying now!

2. The Memory System Fig. 7.6 p. 290

2. Three Key Processes in Memory

2. (i) Sensory Memory •

Stores a perfect picture of the world, but for a fraction of a second •

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See Sperling’s studies p. 290

Iconic (visual) and echoic (auditory) sensory memories

2. (i) Sperling’s Studies

From Sensory to Short-Term Memory  

How does information get encoded and transferred onto the memory system? a) Automatic processing 

No effort required 

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See implicit memories p. 312

b) Effortful processing 

Pay conscious effort and attention to hold info. In short-term memory 

See explicit memories p. 312

2. (ii) Short-Term Memory      

Semi-permanent storage Magic number: 7 (+ - 2) Information is lost after 20-30 seconds unless it is rehearsed Maintenance rehearsal keeps the information there… Elaborative rehearsal brings the information to long term memory Type of encoding: p.287

Type of Encoding

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2. (ii) Type of encoding, p. 287

2. (ii) From Short-Term to LongTerm Memory 

What helps us remember??

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a) Type of encoding b) Self-referent encoding (self-schema) c) Imagery d) Mnemonics:

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method of loci Acronyms: e.g. Roy G. Biv

2. (ii)…To long term memory 

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e) Chunking: e.g.  1-4-9-2-1-7-7-6-1-8-1-2  (1492) (1776) (1812) f) Organize information hierarchically g) Spacing effects:  distributed practice leads to better long-term retention h) Time: over learn! i) Mood-dependent effects

2. (iii) Long Term Memory  

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Where information is stored in relatively permanent form Capacity is seemingly infinite! 2 memory systems: p. 313 

Declarative:  

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Semantic (explicit memories/encyclopedia) Episodic (implicit memories/autobiography)

Non-declarative, procedural 

“how to”; implicit memories based on practice or habit

2. (iii) Independent Memory Systems 

p. 313

2. (iii) Forgetting 

Major reasons:    

a) failure to encode b) stored memories decay c) retrieval failure d) interference: 

Proactive and retroactive p. 304

2. (iii) Forgetting: Interference 

p. 304

2. (iii) Forgetting: The Story of HM 

The most famous and studied amnesiac 

Anterograde amnesia (p. 311)

2. (iii) Forgetting 

e) Motivated forgetting:  

Freud’s concept of repression Repressed memory controversy p. 305-308

3. Eyewitness Testimony 

A case of constructive memory 

Discussed by professor in class Another illustration with Loftus

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RLvSGYxDIs&feature=fvw

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Conclusion:  

“Memories” for non-existent objects can be implanted Memory is surprisingly unreliable

4. Improving your Memory 

a) Pay Attention! 

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b) Distributed practice 

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And over learn Take your time, and take time

c) Engage in deep processing 

Make information personally meaningful 

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Link to previously acquired knowledge

d) Organize information hierarchically e) Learn through several modalities 

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Provide examples for yourself

E.g. use visual imagery (2 codes is better than 1)

f) Use mnemonics (where useful) g) Minimize interference

4. Movie: Beautiful Minds...

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An amazing case of perfect photographic memory. (5 min.)

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http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2MBBxU