Myers EXPLORING PSYCHOLOGY (6th Edition in Modules)ForgettingSlide 3ForgettingRetrievalForgetting as InterferenceSlide 7Slide 8Slide 9Forgetting: InterferenceMemory ConstructionSlide 12Slide 13Improve Your MemorySlide 15Myers EXPLORING PSYCHOLOGY (6th Edition in Modules)Module 22Forgetting, Memory Construction, and Improving MemoryJames A. McCubbin, PhDClemson UniversityWorth PublishersForgettingForgetting as encoding failureInformation never enters long-term memory ExternaleventsSensorymemoryShort-termmemoryLong-termmemoryAttentionEncodingEncodingEncodingfailure leadsto forgettingForgettingEbbinghaus forgetting curve over 30 days-- initially rapid, then levels off with time12345 10 15 20 25 301020304050600Time in days since learning listPercentage oflist retainedwhen relearningForgetting The forgetting curve for Spanish learned in schoolRetentiondrops,then levels off 1 3 5 9½ 14½ 25 35½ 49½Time in years after completion of Spanish course100% 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0Percentage oforiginalvocabularyretainedRetrievalForgetting can result from failure to retrieve information from long-term memoryExternaleventsAttentionEncodingEncodingRetrieval failureleads to forgettingRetrievalSensorymemoryShort-termmemoryLong-termmemoryForgetting as InterferenceLearning some items may disrupt retrieval of other informationProactive (forward acting) Interferencedisruptive effect of prior learning on recall of new informationRetroactive (backwards acting) Interferencedisruptive effect of new learning on recall of old informationForgetting as InterferenceForgetting Retroactive InterferenceWithout interferingevents, recall isbetterAfter sleepAfter remaining awake 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8Hours elapsed after learning syllables90% 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0Percentageof syllablesrecalledForgettingForgetting can occur at any memory stageAs we process information, we filter, alter, or lose much of itForgetting: InterferenceMotivated Forgettingpeople unknowingly revise memoriesRepressiondefense mechanism that banishes from consciousness anxiety-arousing thoughts, feelings, and memoriesMemory ConstructionWe filter information and fill in missing piecesMisinformation Effectincorporating misleading information into one's memory of an eventSource Amnesiaattributing to the wrong source an event that we experienced, heard about, read about, or imagined (misattribution)Memory ConstructionEyewitnesses reconstruct memories when questionedDepiction of actual accidentLeading question:“About how fast were the carsgoing when they smashed intoeach other?”MemoryconstructionMemory ConstructionMost people can agree on the following:Injustice happensIncest happensForgetting happensRecovered memories are commonplaceMemories recovered under hypnosis or drugs are especially unreliableMemories of things happening before age 3 are unreliableMemories, whether false or real, are upsettingImprove Your MemoryStudy repeatedly to boost recallSpend more time rehearsing or actively thinking about the materialMake material personally meaningfulUse mnemonic devices associate with peg words--something already storedmake up storychunk--acronymsImprove Your MemoryActivate retrieval cues--mentally recreate situation and moodRecall events while they are fresh-- before you encounter misinformationMinimize interference Test your own knowledgerehearsedetermine what you do not yet
View Full Document
Unlocking...