Thinking About Psychology
The Science of Mind and Behavior 3e
Charles T. Blair-Broeker & Randal M. Ernst
PowerPoint Presentation Slides by Kent Korek
Germantown High School Worth Publishers, © 2012
Cognition Domain
Memory
Forgetting and Memory Construction
Module 23
Module Overview
• Forgetting as Encoding Failure
• Forgetting as Storage Failure
• Forgetting as Retrieval Failure
• Memory Construction
Click on the any of the above hyperlinks to go to that section in the presentation.
Forgetting as Encoding Failure
Module 23: Forgetting and Memory Construction
Information Processing Model
• Encoding – The process of getting
information into the memory system.
• Storage – The retention of encoded information in memory over time.
• Retrieval – The process of getting
encoded information out of memory
storage.
Encoding Failures
• People fail to encode information because:
– It is unimportant to them
– It is not necessary to know the information
– A decrease in the brain’s ability to
encode
Which is the Right Penny?
(From Nickerson & Adams, 1979)
Which is the Right Penny?
(From Nickerson & Adams, 1979)
Forgetting as Storage Failure
Module 23: Forgetting and Memory Construction
Hermann Ebbinghaus (1850-1909)
• German philosopher
who pioneering memory studies.
• Developed the forgetting curve, also called the
“retention curve” or
“Ebbinghaus curve”
The Forgetting Curve
(Adapted from Ebbinghaus, 1885)
Permastore Memory
• Long-term memories that are
especially resistant to forgetting and
that are likely to last a lifetime.
Forgetting as Retrieval Failure
Module 23: Forgetting and Memory Construction
Forgetting as Retrieval Failure:
Interference
Module 23: Forgetting and Memory Construction
Interference
• A retrieval problem when one memory gets in the way of remembering another
• Two types of interference:
– Proactive interference
– Retroactive interference
Proactive Interference
• When an older memory disrupts the
recall of a newer memory.
Proactive Interference
Retroactive Interference
• When a more recent memory disrupts
the recall of an older memory.
Retroactive Interference
Forgetting as Retrieval Failure:
Motivated Forgetting
Module 23: Forgetting and Memory Construction
Repression
• In Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory,
• the process of moving anxiety-producing memories to the unconscious.
• Supposed means of protecting oneself from painful memories
• Not well-supported by research; stressful
incidents are actually more likely to be encoded
Memory Construction
Module 23: Forgetting and Memory Construction
Memory Jigsaw Analogy
• Memories, rather than being like a video tape, are formed as bits and pieces.
• People may retrieve only some of the
pieces of the memory
Elizabeth Loftus (1944- )
• Psychologist at University of California, Irvine, whose research established the constructed nature of memory.
• Has found that subjects’ memories vary
based on the wording of questions
• Demonstrated the
misinformation effect
Misinformation Effect
• Incorporating misleading information into a memory of an event.
• Affects eyewitness testimony
Misinformation Effect
Memory Construction:
Children’s Recall
Module 23: Forgetting and Memory Construction
Children’s Testimony on Abuse
• Research has shown children’s testimony to be unreliable
• Children are very open to suggestions
• As children mature their memories
improve
Accurate Interviewing Methods
• To promote accuracy with children’s testimony the interviewer should:
– Phrase questions in a way the child can understand
– Have no prior contact with the child – Use neutral language and do not lead
or suggest answers
Memory Construction:
Recovered Memories
Module 23: Forgetting and Memory Construction
Accuracy of Memories
The End
Teacher Information
• Types of Files
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• Animation
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Teacher Information
• Domain Coding
– Just as the textbook is organized around the APA National Standards, these Powerpoints are coded to those same standards. Included at the top of almost every slide is a small stripe, color coded to the APA
National Standards.
• Scientific Inquiry Domain
• Biopsychology Domain
• Development and Learning Domain
• Social Context Domain
• Cognition Domain
• Individual Variation Domain
• Applications of Psychological Science Domain
• Key Terms and Definitions in Red
– To emphasize their importance, all key terms from the text and their
definitions are printed in red. To maintain consistency, the definitions on the Powerpoint slides are identical to those in the textbook.
Teacher Information
• Hyperlink Slides - Immediately after the unit title slide, a page (usually slide #4 or #5) can be found listing all of the module’s subsections. While in slide show mode, clicking on any of these hyperlinks will take the user
directly to the beginning of that subsection. This allows teachers quick access to each subsection.
• Continuity slides - Throughout this presentations there are slides,
usually of graphics or tables, that build on one another. These are included for three purposes.
• By presenting information in small chunks, students will find it easier to process and remember the concepts.
• By continually changing slides, students will stay interested in the presentation.
• To facilitate class discussion and critical thinking. Students should be encouraged to think about “what might come next” in the series of slides.
• Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] with any questions, concerns, suggestions, etc. regarding these presentations.
Kent Korek
Germantown High School Germantown, WI 53022
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