Bell Work
(One “bullet point” each day...)■ What would be worse- not being able to
remember the past or not being able to learn
anything new? EXPLAIN WHY.
■ Figure 10.3 (p. 276) & Figure 10.4 (p. 277)
+ “Picture Memory” see projector
■ What parts of the brain are involved in
remembering a special event? (see Figure 10.6 on p.280)
■ Read “Lots of Action in the Memory Game”
APA Standards
■ Domain 4: Cognitive Domain Standard Area 2: Memory
■ CONTENT STANDARD 1: Encoding, or getting information into memory
■ 1.1 Characterize the difference between surface and deep (elaborate) processing. ■ 1.2 Identify other factors that influence encoding.
■ CONTENT STANDARD 2: Short-term and long-term memory systems ■ 2.1 Describe the operation of short-term memory
■ 2.2 Describe the operation of long-term memory.
■ CONTENT STANDARD 3: Retrieval, or getting information out of memory ■ 3.1 Analyze the importance of retrieval cues in memory
■ 3.2 Explain the role that interference plays in retrieval.
■ 3.3 Relate difficulties created by reconstructive memory processes ■ CONTENT STANDARD 4: Biological bases of memory
■ 4.1 Identify the brain structures most important to memory. ■ CONTENT STANDARD 5: Methods for improving memory ■ 5.1 Identify factors that interfere with memory.
Memory
-the process of storing information so we can recall it
at a later date
How are memories formed?
3 Processes
1. Encoding
- recording incoming information
- using senses to encode and establish a memory
2. Storage
- process of maintaining / saving information over a period of time
3. Retrieval
How are the memories stored?
3 Types of Memory
◻ Sensory Memory
◻ Short-term Memory
◻ Long-term Memory
Sensory Memory
● Very brief memory storage immediately
following the activation of your senses.
● Memories stay in the brain from milliseconds to
a couple of seconds
● Prevents us from being overwhelmed by
constant stimuli since the information is gone within seconds if we do not pay attention to it
● Allows us “decision time”- if you choose to pay
attention the info is automatically transferred to short-term memory.
Types of Sensory Memories
● Iconic Memory: holds visual information
for up to 1 second
● George Sperling (1960) tested his
hypothesis that people retain a complete image http://bcs.worthpublishers.com/psychsim5/launcher.html
● Echoic Memory: auditory
● Haptic Memory: touch
● Gustic Memory: taste
Can you “sense” the answer?
● What is the difference between iconic &
echoic memory
● What functions do sensory memory serve?
● If you were able to answer these questions
Short-term Memory
□ Also called “working memory”
□ Memories stay from about 20 seconds to a minute
□ But they will last less than 20 seconds w/o rehearsal
□ Majority of people can store about seven (5-9) unrelated items such as phone numbers, grocery list
□ Primary-Recency Effect- we are better able to recall the beginning (primacy effect) & the end (recency effect) of lists. You have more time to rehearse those items at the beginning of the list and those at the end are still
accessible to short-term memory. The middle is forgotten because you are split between trying to
Long-term Memory
■ Memories remain from days to
years to lifetime
■ Unlimited capacity
■ NOT like a piece of paper in a file
cabinet; you reconstruct what you must recall when you need it. It is organized according to categories & features
■ As new information is stored, older
memories may be blocked or
□ For almost a hundred years, the study of memory focused on how long info was stored for usage
□ Endel Tulving (1972) proposed we have two types of memory:
□ Semantic Memory – knowledge of language, words, and meanings
□ Episodic Memory – memory of one’s life (every person’s is unique); having “lived through it” like graduation,wedding day
•L.R. Squire (1987) proposed two types of LTM
□ Declarative memory- memories in our
consciousness that can be called forth as needed Involves both semantic & episodic
□ Procedural memory- memory that requires no
conscious recall because it is based on acquired skills (tying your shoe, driving a car) or habits learned (fear of bugs, biting nails)
as we gain a skill it becomes more difficult to describe what we are doing because it just becomes “habit”.
□ Dr. Larry R. Squire
The Three Systems of Memory
How can I improve my memory?
◆ Everyone is different, so find the techniques that work the best for you!
◆ You are more likely to remember what you truly understand!
To Do or Not To Do…
Maintenance Rehearsal- repeating over and over keeps information in short-term memory only.
*must find meaning in it to move to long-term memory “Rehearsal without intent to learn yields no transfer.”
“Cramming” is NOT the best method- it is more
Techniques:
Meaningful Associations
Elaborative Rehearsal- linking new info to material that is already known
*more meaningful = easier to remember
Chunking- grouping items to make it easier to remember. Examples:
#555-67-94 instead of 5-5-5-6-7-9-4); breaking final exam vocabulary into units instead of 100 separate words.
Meaningful Associations Continued
◆ Mnemonic Devices- personalizing a
memory with an association: catch phrase, abbreviation, “sounds like”, song, or story
Test: Name the planets in order Mathematical Order of Operations
Imagery- associating certain words with
mental images to make it easier to understand & remember
Forgetting
□ Forgetting- process of losing a
memory that was stored in our brain
Why do we forget?
Several Theories attempt to explain.
1. Decay Theory
-fading away of memory over time
-uncertain whether long-term memory truly decay (can be recalled through meditation, hypnosis)
2. Interference
-theory that memories are blocked or erased by previous or new
memories
-example: You move to a new home & have trouble
remembering your new address and phone number because your old information gets in the way (proactive interference). After awhile you know the new address but have trouble
3. Repression
-According to Sigmund Freud, some memories are blocked as a way of protecting the ego.
-we may subconsciously block memories that are embarrassing, frightening, painful or disturbing
- the material still exists but it is made inaccessible to you
4. Amnesia
- loss of memory due to a severe blow to the head or brain damage Infant
amnesia--Why is it that most of us have no memory of being 2-3 years old? Freud: these memories are repressed because of the
emotional traumas of infancy
Language Problem: Memories are nonverbal & cannot be
easily recalled
Immaturity: Hippocampus may not be mature enough to spark memories; have not developed a sense of self to experience memories
