Chapter 7 Memory Memory The basics Encoding how

Chapter 7 Memory

Memory • • The basics Encoding – how info becomes part of memory Storage – maintaining memory Retrieval – recall • People think in 2 ways – via language & visually

Encoding • • Semantic encoding – meanings, concepts, associations, facts - uses elaboration – link - uses visual imagery –

Encoding • Dual Coding Theory – these methods make recall more likely • Have

Storage • Information-processing theories • 3 levels • Sensory & short-term storage – both for temporary • (temporary at first, may/may not go into longterm)

Storage • • • Sensory memory Original input > Brief For visual, auditory Some

Storage • • • Short-Term Memory (STM) Holds memory Will fade unless you rehearse (keep repeating) Rehearsal STM

Storage STM How much does it hold ? 4 -7 items 1950 s – 2000 s – 4 > said subjects give impression of holding more by grouping items (chunking) • New items • • •

Storage • STM • 2000 s – new conceptualization of STM – it can do more than hold ? ? items (phonemes ~ words/sounds) • STM is really working memory ~

Storage • • • STM as working memory – has functions Phonological loop – Visuospatial sketchpad – Central executive system – manages attn Episodic buffer –

Storage • STM as working memory • Makes STM more important • Typically weakens as we age

Storage Long-Term Memory (LTM) How we In theory, unlimited > ? ? ? ? People have difficulty retrieving ~ “can’t remember” • “Flashbulb memories” – a moment held, virtually complete - vivid > this theory disputed – • •

Storage • LTM • Flashbulb memories – special b/c they are emotional • LTM questionable – healthy individuals – there

Organization of Memory • • Different forms Remembering Schema – assumes Contradictions – studies show that some remember better if memory fits schema/others say distinctions better

Organization of Memory • Semantic networks • How concepts become linked …. . but certain nerves involved • Explains word associations • Spreading activation within a semantic network – think of one word > move to others

Organization of Memory • Connectionist networks • Based on parallel distributed processing (PDP) • PDP ~ way a PC works – handles same info via many networks – different jobs at same time • Brain > excitation & inhibition manage this • What is believed:

Organization of Memory • PDP • Connectionism –

Retrieval • • • How we remember something Cues help Tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon Cues – powerful - give clue - contextual cues – often place, witnesses

Retrieval • Reconstruction of memories • May not be accurate • Misinformation effect – what happened later colored the memory • Wording of the story may Δ memory • Style of questioning may Δ memory

Retrieval • Source monitoring • Where we think (infer) memories come from • M. Johnson blames most memory errors on this • Memories not coded w/ • As people remember – they tag a source to it • Source-monitoring error –

Retrieval • Source-monitoring error • Unsure • *

Forgetting Has + function > discard useless info Ebbinghaus’s Forgetting Curve – 1880 s Only Memorized nonsense syllables Sharp drop immediately > more than ½ (20 min -9 hr) • Material more • • •

Forgetting • Measures • Retention - % retained • Retention interval – time between stimulus and forgetting • How to measure • Recall, recognition & relearning • Recall measure – reproduce w/o cues

Forgetting • Recognition measure – material • Relearning measure –

Forgetting • • • Reasons 1. Ineffective encoding – - Phonemic v semantic encoding 2. Decay – fading b/c time – 3. Interference –

Forgetting • 3. Interference – 2 types • A. retroactive interference – later material blocks • B. proactive interference – earlier material blocks • 4. Retrieval failure – like a PC – cue/encoding mismatch – encoding specificity principle – cue needs to be close to the encoding

Forgetting • 5. Motivated forgetting – • 6. Physical issues – mostly head injuries • Amnesia • Retrograde amnesia – unable to remember before injury

Forgetting • 6. Amnesia • Anterograde amnesia – can’t remember what happened after injury

Types of Memory • Declarative memory system – facts • Procedural (Non-declarative) memory system – skills, how-to, emotional • Declarative memory system • – medial temporal lobe, amygdala, cerebellum • - Tulving divided declarative mem: semantic & episodic

Types of Memory • Declarative memory • Episodic memory – personal material, chronological, temporal • Semantic memory – facts – not concerned @ when learned • Help: mnemonic device

Mnemonic Device • Balkan League • Cranial nerves: olfactory, optic, oculomotor, trochlear, trigeminal, abducens, facial, vestibulocochlear, glossopharyngeal, vagus, spinal accessory, hypoglossal • = On Mount Olympus’s towering tops, a fateared giant viewed some hops