Cognitive Processes PSY 334 Chapter 7 Human Memory

Retrieval and Inference o Much of memory is inference at the time of recall

Inference-Based Intrusions o Sulin & Dooling – subjects add details not present during learning:

Plausible Retrieval o Reder – much of recall is plausible inference not actual recall.

Inference and Elaboration o Elaboration leads to more inferences. n Information added as a

Memory Errors o When exact memory is needed, inferences and reconstructive processes can be

Structure and Retrieval o Memory is helped by prompts that are closely associated with

Mnemonics o Method of Loci – place items in a location, then take a

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Cognitive Processes PSY 334 Chapter 7 – Human Memory: Retention and Retrieval

Retrieval and Inference o Much of memory is inference at the time of recall – not actual recall of facts. o Bransford et al. -- inference can lead to incorrect recall: n n Turtles resting on or beneath log. Subjects were most confused by sentences whose meaning was implied by the studied sentences.

Inference-Based Intrusions o Sulin & Dooling – subjects add details not present during learning: n n n Carol Harris vs Helen Keller “She was deaf, dumb and blind. ” 5% Carol Harris but 50% Helen Keller subjects falsely recognized the sentence. o Inferences are made at test-time. n More inferential errors occur with delay.

Plausible Retrieval o Reder – much of recall is plausible inference not actual recall. n n Darth Vader inferred to be evil, not remembered to be evil. Heir to hamburger chain story – subjects asked to recall exact details and make plausible inferences. o After a delay, plausible inference is faster and does not decay as much as exact memory, with no fan effect.

Inference and Elaboration o Elaboration leads to more inferences. n Information added as a “theme” to a story results in better recall of studied material and more inferences. o Intruded inferences are not necessarily “errors” but help guide our thinking and behavior. o Listerine court case – false inferences, not just false statements, not permitted.

Memory Errors o When exact memory is needed, inferences and reconstructive processes can be misleading. o Loftus -- additional details and suggestion can change what is recalled. o John Dean’s recall vs what Nixon recorded – gist was right but not details. o False memory syndrome – memories that never happened can be “planted. ”

Structure and Retrieval o Memory is helped by prompts that are closely associated with what is to be recalled. n We prompt ourselves when trying to recall. o Organized material is easier to learn because it provides a structure for prompting recall: n Trees for minerals, animals, clothing, transportation.

Mnemonics o Method of Loci – place items in a location, then take a mental walk. o Peg-word System – use peg words as a structure and associate a list of items with them using visualization. n Create acronyms for lists of items. o Convert nonsense syllables (DAX, GIB) into meaningful items by associating them with real words (e. g. , DAD).