MEMORY Chapter 8 DEFINITION Memory is retaining and

MEMORY Chapter 8

DEFINITION… Memory is retaining and retrieving information and experiences

INFORMATION PROCESSING There are 3 basic process • Encoding: translating/converting into memory • Storage: retaining information over time • Retrieval: locating stored memories

MEMORY SYSTEMS TYPES OF MEMORY / 3 STAGE MODEL 1. Sensory Memory: first stage, briefly holds sensory information 2. Short-term/Working Memory: temporary storage 3. Long-term Memory: holds large amounts of information for a long time

SHORT TERM/WORKING MEMORY Chunking : combining individual items into larger units of meaning Example:

SHORT TERM/WORKING MEMORY What is the capacity of short-term memory? 7+2 items for 20 seconds How can you extend the duration? Maintenance rehearsal: simple repetition Elaborative rehearsal: focusing on the meaning

LONG TERM MEMORY • What is primacy effect? When information is transferred to long term memory • What is recency effect? Information is still in short term memory, the effects are diminished if time is delayed before recall

LONG TERM MEMORIES Explicit: (declarative) • Episodic: memories of personal experiences e. g. birthday, graduation, weddings • Semantic: general knowledge e. g. the capital of Canada, water freezes at 32 degrees Implicit: memory influences behaviour without conscious awareness e. g. brushing your hair, riding a bike

ENCODING - Levels of processing, deep processing is better to facilitate memories - Maintenance rehearsal: repetition of information which keeps it active in the short term memory - Elaborative rehearsal: focuses on the meaning of the information (organizing, understanding, application, linking to prior knowledge)

MNEMONIC DEVICES Memory aids (making the information organized) • Chunking • Acronyms • Hierarchies

RETRIEVAL CUES • Activate information stored in long term memory • • • Context-dependent State-dependent Mood-congruent Distinctiveness Multiple retrieval cues

WHY DO WE FORGET? • Trace decay – long term physical trace fades over time and with disuse • Encoding Failure: failure to encode details that are not important!! • INTERFERENCE THEORY: – Proactive Interference: Old information interferes with recall of newer information – Retroactive Interference: new information interferes with recall of older information

BRAIN STRUCTURES INVOLVED

BRAIN STRUCTURES INVOLVED • Hippocampus: explicit/declarative memory (encoding, conversion of STM to LTM) • Cerebral cortex: working/short term memory (encoding info from sensory receptors and storing) • Thalamus: unclear role, each individual function differently. Damage of thalamus: anterograde &retrograde amnesia • Amygdala: encodes emotionally arousing memories • Cerebellum: procedural memory (implicit)