Memory an active mental system ability that allows us to put away info for later use General Psychology Memory its Processes Processes Steps of Memory Encode put in Store hold Retrieve get out Models of Memory Information Processing Model assumes processing of info for memory storage similar to a computer Levels of Processing Model assumes info that is deeply processed processed according to meaning will be remembered more efficiently and longer other models exist too they all have value Information Processing Model Sensory Memory Selective Attention Short Term Memory Long Term Memory Sensory Memory Very first stage Where info enters the nervous system Last generally a second or so Short Term Memory STM vs Working Memory info being used Selective Attention ability to focus on one thing ignore others moves from sensory memory to STM How big is it Capacity about 7 items two items 5 9 How long is STM About 15 30 seconds without rehearsal Chunking bits of info combined into meaningful units chunks so more info can be held in STM Rehearsal say over and over in head to keep it in STM susceptible to interference Long Term Memory Store info permanently store for later Elaboration assist info from STM into LTM by making info meaningful Imagery visualize Declarative LTM Things people know facts aka explicit memory can verbalize Two Types Semantic Memory general knowledge many access share language and info learned in formal education etc Episodic Memory personal info not readily available to others daily activities and events Procedural implicit Semantic explicit Episodic explicit Recall Definition pull info from memory with few external cues Ex short answer essay fill in the blank harder Retrieval Failure recall has failed Ex 1 Draw a blank 2 Tip of the tongue phenomenon What impacts recall Serial position effect remember beginning and sometimes the end better than the middle Primacy effect remember the beginning better Recency effect remember end better Summary serial position effect Ask right away remember begin and end better primacy and recency Ask after 30 second delay just remember beginning better primacy Why the last thing was in short term memory if asked right away the short term memory info is gone if distracted Recognition Definition match piece of info to a stored image fact Ex multiple choice fill in with word bank true false Retrieval failure 1 False negative don t recognize something you should 2 False positive recognize something you shouldn t Cues to Help Remember Retrieval cue trigger for remembering Encoding specificity remember better if information available when memory was formed is also available at retrieval State dependent learning memories formed during a particular physiological or psychological state will be easier to recall while in a similar state Automatic Encoding and Flashbulb Memories Automatic encoding some info seems to enter LTM with little or no effect Ex flashbulb memories Flashbulb Memories occurs when unexpected event has strong emotional associations Accuracy in general they are accurate but subject to distortion Eyewitness Testimony Elizabeth Loftus What you see and hear after the fact can easily affect the accuracy of memories of the event Eyewitness testimony not always reliable We update and revise w o awareness When is it more reliable ages no leading questions use free recall sooner hypnosis NO confidence no relationship between confidence and accuracy How LTMs Are Formed Constructive processing Seems we put in basic facts gist This means memories can be altered revised or influenced by new info during retrieval happens more than we realize without us knowing the more you misremember more confident Memory Retrieval Problems Misinformation effect inaccurate information presented after an event alters memories of event False memory syndrome creation of inaccurate or false memories through the suggestion of others often while under hypnosis typical news case Is it possible to form false memories YES Is it possible to repress real memories YES Forgetting Inability to access a memory Studied first by Ebbinghaus Curve of forgetting we forget most right away then forgetting slows down Distributed Practice Effect Spreading out practice produces better retrieval than massed practice 4 Kinds of Forgetting 1 Encoding failure failure to process info into memory sometimes deliberate conserve resources 2 Decay loss because trace not used 3 Proactive interference older info interferes with retrieval of newer information Ex problem driving in England after learning in U S 4 Retroactive interference new information interferes with retrieval of older info Ex learning new phone number makes it difficult to remember old phone number 4 Types of Amnesia Anterograde amnesia loss of memory from point of injury trauma forward Inability to form new declarative LTMs Main issue for early Alzheimer s Can still access old memories Can still add new procedural memories skills Retrograde amnesia loss of memory from point of injury trauma backwards Dissociative amnesia loss of autobiographical memory Infantile amnesia inability to retrieve memories from before you were 3 Loss of memory for past Loss of memories that you had Loss of episodic but not semantic Often follows trauma Can lose events or whole identity Why Brain immaturity Don t practice verbalizing Different format implicit Lack full sense of self
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