Psych Chapter 8: Memory Memory- Is learning over time, information that can be stored and retrievedStudying Memory: information Processing Models- The brain undergoes these mechanisms like a computer by translating our experiences into electronic signals that are stored and later retrievedo Encoding: get information initially into our brainso Storage: the retaining of this new informationo Retrieval: being able to use the information later - Connectionismo Information processing model of memoryo Views memories as emerging from interconnected neural networks Specific memories arise from specific memories arise from particular combinationso Has three stages Sensory memory: fleeting, the first record to-be remembered information Short-term: activated memory that holds a few items briefly, such as a cell phone number before it is stored or forgotten Long term: the relatively permanent and limitless storehouse of the memory system. knowledge, skills, and experiences Working memory: a newer understanding of short term memory that focuses on conscious,active processing of incoming auditory and visual-spatial information and of information retrieved from long term memoryEncoding: Getting Information In- Automatic Processingo Automatically process information without consciousknowledgeo Due to the brains ability to parallel process: Space; when studying you remember where on thepage the information is located Time: unintentionally note the days events in asequence Frequency: how many times things happen Well-learned information: see words in nativelanguage and register the meaning- Effortful processingo Produces durable and accessible memories with effort and attentiono Rehearsal: conscious repetition that boosts memoryo Ebbinghuas experiments Study learning and forgetting of novel verbal materials Made nonsense words by sandwiching one vowel. Ex “JIH” Could recall some, but not all the next day The more repetitions he did the day before, the less he would forget Proving that the amount learned depends on the time spent learning For novel information, practice effortful processing improves memory o Ebbighaus also proved the spacing effect: we retain information better when rehearsal is distributed over time Massed practice (cramming): produces speedy, short-term memory and feeling of confidence Distributed study time: produces better long term recallo Henry Bahrick’s 9 year experiment Proves that learning over a semester is more effective than rapid, cramming learning over a week Testing effect: that when information is tested more often, the recall of it improve Spaced studying and self-assessment beat crammingo Serial position effect Our tendency to recall the first and last members of a list- Naming people at the office, the first we have rehearsed more, and the last is new and novel in the brain and are in the working memory Recency effect: the last names are in the working memory, and people briefly recall them quickly and well Primary effect: after a delay, attention shifts fro mthe last items to the first itemso Sometimes rehearsal is just not enough- What we encodeo Levels of processing Visual encoding: the encoding of picture images- Visual imagery: mental pictures, a powerful aid to effortful processing, especially when combined with semantic encodingo Many of our first memorieso More likely to recall words that have an imagery effect o Rosy retrospection: remembering the god mental images, rather than the bad ones- Mnemonic: memory aids, especially those techniques that use vivid imagery and organizational deviceso Ex: the peg word system. “six is sticks” Acoustic encoding: the encoding of sound, especially the sound of waves Semantic encoding: the encoding of meaning, including the meaning of words- Produces better recognition later than shallower processing of sound and vision The among you remember has the most to do with the amount of time you spend and your understanding of it o Organizing what we encode Chunking- When we organize information into meaningful units, such as letters, words, phases, we recall it more easily - Can be used as a mnemonic technique o Ex: colors in the rainbow as ROYGBIV Hierarchies - When develop expertise in an area, process information as chunks and concepts divided into subdivided areas and facts Storage- Sensory informationo Sperling’s experiment Flashed a box of 9 letters The people would remember them better when instructed with a tone to remember a certainlineo Iconic memory: a momentary sensory memory of visual stimuli; a photographic or picture-image memory lasting no more than a few tenths of a secondo Echoic memory: a momentary sensory memory of auditory stimuli; if attention is elsewhere, sounds and words can still be recalled in 3-4 seconds Talking to someone, and start to listen to the tv. Your friend will ask what did I just say and you can repeat what was just said because it stays longer than iconic memory- Working short term memory o Geroge Miller Short term memory is limited in duration and capacity Miller’s experiments noticed that people would recall about 7 numbers, plus or minus twoo At any given moment we can only process a little bit of information- Long term memoryo The brain is essentially limitless and can store infinite memories - Storing Memories in the Braino Synaptic changes Memories are not stored in one spot It is due to a rearrangement of neural connections Study of the sea slug Analysia- when it was being conditioned with shocks, the neurons where emitting serotonin to strengthen the connection- the sending neuron now needs less stimulation to fire - long term potential: an increase in a synapse’s firing potential after brief, rapid stimulation. Believed to be a neural basis for learning and memory. Memory drugs- Focuses on people with mild memory impairment due to disease or to ageo Drugs that boost CREB This protein can switch on and off genes When repeated neural firing, a nerve cell’s genes produce synapse strengthening proteins, enabling LTP (long term potential) Could help reshape synapses and consolidate long term and short term memoryo Boost the development of glutamate Neurotransmitter that enhances synaptic connectiono Electroconvulsive therapy Electric currents can wipe the most recent memories Stress hormones and Memory - Excitement or stress
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