Memory An active mental system ability that allows us to put information away for later use Processes steps of Memory Encode Put in Store hold Retrieve get out Models of Memory Information processing model Assumes processing os info for memory storage similar to a computer Levels of processing model assumes info is deeply processed processed according to meaning will be remembered more efficiently and longer Other models exist too Which is right Information Processing Model 3 stages see slides Sensory memory Very first stage of memory where information enters nervous system lasts about a second or so 2 Short term memory STM Where information is held when it is being used Selective attention ability to focus on one stimulus from all sensory input moves info from sensory memory to short term memory How big is STM what is its capacity average adult 7items 2 How long does it last its duration 15 30 seconds Chunking Bits of info combined into meaningful unit so more info can be held in short term memory Rehearsal Say over and over in head to keep it in short term memory Interference Short term memory is susceptible to interference 3 Long term memory LTM Used to keep information permanently Elaboration Get from short term memory into long term memory by making it meaningful 2 Types of LTM 1 Procedural nondeclarative memory Memory for skills things people know how to do Emotional associations habits and simple conditioned reflexes AKA Implicit memory Not easily brought into awareness antrograde amnesia inability to form new declarative long term memories generally does not affect procedural long term memory Can gain new skills but not new facts Declarative memory Things people know facts AKA Explicit Memory Two types Semantic memory General Knowledge many access and share like language info from formal education a Episodic memory Personal information not readily available to others daily activities and events Two types of Remembering Recall and Recognition 1 Recall Pull from memory with few external cues reminders short answer essay questions People think it s harder but both types have their issues Retrieval Failure recall has failed Draw a blank or tip of the tongue phenomenon Serial position effect Remember the beginning of a list and sometimes the end better than the middle Primacy effect When you remember the beginning of the list Recency effect When you remember the end of the list sometimes Summary Ask right away Remember beginning and end better primacy and recency Ask after 30 seconds Just remember the beginning better Because people repeat in head with every word and first ones get it the most 2 Recognition Match a piece of information to a stored image fact multiple choice matching Retrieval Failure Don t recognize something you should False positive recognize something you shouldn t Cues to Help Remember Retrieval cue Any trigger stimulus that helps you remember Encoding specificity Will remember better if the info available when the memory was formed is also available during retrieval Automatic Encoding and Flashbulb Memories Automatic Encoding Some information seems to enter long term memory with little or no effort Flashbulb Memories Occurs when unexpected event has strong emotional associations An example of automatic encoding Because its so vivid we believe its very accurate but it can also be wrong like any other memories State dependent learning Memories formed during a particular physiological or psychological emotional state will be easier to recall while in a similar state Eyewitness Testimony Elizabeth Loftus study First person to question the reliability of eye witness testimony What you see and hear after the event can easily affect the accuracy of memories of an event Eye witness testimony not always reliability When is it more reliable Ages preschool and younger and older people less reliable Leading questions Was he wearing a red shirt instead of What color shirt was he wearing Sooner you get the info the better Hypnotic state will remember more but may not be true Confidence does not make it more likely to be right How LTMs Are Retrieved implications for accuracy Constructive processing seems we out in basic facts and ass details with retirement This means memories can be altered revised or influenced by new information during retrieval Happens more than we realize and without us knowing The more that is misremembered the more confident we are with it being accurate Memory Retrieval Problems Misinformation effect inaccurate information presented after an event and alters memories of an event False memory syndrome Creation of inaccurate or false memories through the suggestion of others often while under hypnosis Is it possible to create 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 cramming Forgetting Four Types 1 Encoding failure When memories are not stored correctly 1 Decay loss because trace is not used memory trace physical brain change that occurs when memory is formed 1 Proactive interference older information interferes with retrieval with newer information 1 Retroactive interference newer information interferes with retrieval of older into learning new phone makes it harder to remember old Amnesia Case Study HM radical brain surgery in 1953 to stop seizures IQ personality and Short term memory intact limited problems with memories established before surgery retrograde amnesia could not make new declarative long term memories anterograde surgery damaged hypocampus 1 Retrograde amnesia Inability to access older memories 1 Anterograde amnesia Loss of memories from point of injury forward inability to form new declarative long ted memories main issue for early Alzheimer s Can still access old memories Can still add new procedural memories skills 1 Dissociative amnesia 1 Infantile amnesia Inability to retrieve memories from before the age of 3
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