AP Psychology Memory Cognition Essential Task Outline principles

AP Psychology Memory (Cognition) Essential Task: Outline principles that help improve memory functioning at each stage: encoding - attention, chunking, serial positioning effect, deep versus shallow processing, and rote rehearsal storage - decay theory, elaborative rehearsal, spacing effect, method of loci, and link method retrieval - retroactive interference, proactive interference

Information Processing Model 1. Encoding gone Long Term Memory 2. Storage 3. Retrieval All the rest We are here External Stimuli Retrieval Sensory Registers At ten tio n Short Term Memory

Essential Task: Outline • Improving Encoding • • – – – attention chunking serial positioning effect Schemata and Hierarchy deep versus shallow processing – – decay theory spacing effect Rote rehearsal vs. elaborative rehearsal Mnemonics like method of loci and link method – – – Retrieval Cues and Priming Situational factors State dependent Allow for Parallel Processing Overcoming retroactive interference Overcoming proactive interference Improving storage Retrieval

Chunking • The grouping of information into meaningful units for easier handling by short term memory. • M-S-N-N-A-S-A-C-I-A-C-O-M Or • MSN NASA CIA COM Outline

Serial Position Effect Outline • People tend to recall the first items (primacy effect) and last items (recency effect) in a list • Demonstrates how short- and longterm memory work together • Primacy effect reflects long-term memory • Recency effect reflects short-term memory

Serial Position Effect Outline

Schemata • A schema is a set of beliefs or expectations about something based on past experience • Incoming information is fit with existing schemata • Schemata can also influence the amount of attention paid to a given event • Reconstruction – Memories can be altered with each retrieval – We do this to keep the schemata of our self and our environment Outline

Hierarchy Complex information broken down into broad concepts and further subdivided into categories and subcategories.

Outline

Decay Theory • The decay theory argues that the passage of time causes forgetting • The longer information is not accessed, increases the chances of forgetting it Outline

Spacing Effect • Distributing rehearsal (spacing effect) is better than practicing all at once. You can memorize a poem a lot easier if you break it down into 5 parts over 5 days instead of all at once.

Maintaining Long-Term Memory • Rote rehearsal – Repetition can result in long-term memory – Only effective if there is intent to learn material – Example: What does a penny look like? Outline

Maintaining Long-Term Memory • Elaborative rehearsal Outline – Process of relating new information to information already stored in memory – Meaning is assigned to new information and then linked to as much existing knowledge as possible --Deep vs. shallow processing: deep processing analyzes meaning; shallow processing does not

Improving Retrieval Outline

Mnemonics • Memory cues using a number of semantic/meaningful ‘clues’ • Peg word system: • Michael Britt • One=run, Two=flew, etc. • Acronyms • Others?

Link Method • First imagine a silly, memorable image that represents the type of list you want to remember. Also include in this image the first item on the list (see below for example). This image is your header for the list. • Think of another silly, memorable image that links the first item on the list to the second item and so on. Outline

Method of Loci/’Memory Palace’ • In this technique the subject memorizes the layout of some building, or the arrangement of shops on a street, or any geographical entity which is composed of a number of discrete loci. When desiring to remember a set of items the subject literally 'walks' through these loci and commits an item to each one by forming an image between the item and any distinguishing feature of that locus. Outline

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

Priming To retrieve a specific memory from the web of associations, you must first activate one of the strands that leads to it. This process is called priming.

Where and When Matters • Situational factors – Recall of information is better if environment is the same as when information was learned • State-dependent memory – Recall of information is better if person is in the same physiological state as when information was learned

Parallel Processing • Tip of the Tongue Phenomenon: when you can almost recall something, but can’t quite get it. • If you leave it your brain will continue to work on this problem eventually surfacing with the answer. • Thus you later yell out the name of the actor and everyone looks at you like you are odd.

Interference • Retroactive interference – Occurs when new information interferes with information already in memory – Retro means old – In this term the old information is being tested – Therefore, the new information is doing the interference Outline

Retroactive Interference Sleep helps prevent retroactive interference. Therefore, it leads to better recall. Outline

Interference • Proactive interference – – Outline This is when new information is being tested The old information already in your LTM interferes It is tough to teach an experienced show dog new tricks Ex: You have difficulty remembering a friend’s new phone number because you had previously memorized their old one

Red Yellow Green Blue Red Blue Yellow Green Blue Red

Interference • When you look at the words you see both its color and meaning. • When they are in conflict you must make a choice • Experience has taught you that word meaning is more important than color so you retrieve that information. • You are not always in complete control of what you pay attention to. Outline