Memory
Memory
persistence of learning over time via the
storage and retrieval of information
internal record or representation of some
prior event or experience
Flashbulb Memory
a clear memory of an emotionally significant
moment or event
Memory
Memory as Information Processing
Similar to a computer
write to file encoding
save to disk storage
read from disk retrieval
Encoding
the processing of information into the memory system
Storage
the retention of encoded information over time
Retrieval
process of getting information out of memory
Memory
Working Memory
- focuses more on the processing of briefly stored information
Sensory Memory
- the immediate, initial recording of sensory information in the memory
system
Iconic Memory
- a momentary sensory memory of visual stimuli
- a photographic or picture image memory lasting no more that a few
tenths of a second
- registration of exact representation of a scene
Echoic Memory
- momentary sensory memory of auditory stimuli
STM & LTM
Short Term Memory
activated memory that holds a few items
briefly
look up a phone number, then quickly
dial before the information is forgotten
Long Term Memory
the relatively permanent and limitless
storehouse of the memory system
A Simplified Memory Model
Attention to important
Sensory input or novel information
Encoding
External Sensory Short-term Long-term
events memory memory memory
Encoding Retrieving
Encoding
Automatic Processing
Unconscious encoding of incidental information
space
time
frequency
Well-learned information
word meanings
We can learn automatic processing
reading backwards
Encoding
Effortful Processing
requires attention and conscious effort
Rehearsal
conscious repetition of information
- to maintain it in consciousness
- to encode it for storage
Encoding
Ebbinghaus used nonsense syllables
TUV ZOF GEK WAV
the more times practiced on Day 1, the fewer
repetitions to relearn on Day 2
Spacing Effect
distributed practice yields better long term
retention than massed practice
Encoding- Serial Position Effect
Percentage 90
of 80
words
recalled 70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Position of word in list
Forgetting
Percentage of Ebbinghaus-
60
list retained forgetting
when
relearning
50 curve over
40 30 days
30
initially
rapid, then
20 levels off
10
with time
0
12345 10 15 20 25 30
Time in days since learning list
What Do We Encode?
Semantic Encoding
encoding of meaning
including meaning of words
Acoustic Encoding
encoding of sound
especially sound of words
Visual Encoding
encoding of picture images
Encoding
Encoding
Imagery
mental pictures
a powerful aid to effortful processing, especially when
combined with semantic encoding
Mnemonics
memory aids
use of acronyms
HOMES- Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior
ARITHMETIC- A Rat In Tom’s House Might Eat Tom’s Ice Cream
Chunking
organizing items into familiar, manageable units
- like horizontal organization: 1776149218121941
often occurs automatically
Encoding
Hierarchies
complex information broken down into broad concepts and
further subdivided into categories and subcategories
Encoding
(automatic
or effortful)
Meaning Imagery Organization
(semantic (visual
Encoding) Encoding)
Chunks Hierarchies
Storage- Short Term Memory
Short Term Percentage
Memory who recalled
90
80
consonants
limited in 70
duration and 60
50
capacity 40
“magical” 30
20
number 7+/-2 10
0
3 6 9 12 15 18
Time in seconds between presentation
of contestants and recall request
(no rehearsal allowed)
Storage- Long Term Memory
How does storage work?
Karl Lashley (1950)
rats learn maze
lesion cortex
test memory
Synaptic changes
Long-term Potentiation
increase in synapse’s firing potential after brief, rapid
stimulation
Strong emotions make for stronger memories
some stress hormones boost learning and retention
Storage- Long Term Memory
Amnesia- the loss of memory
Explicit Memory
memory of facts and experiences that one can
consciously know and declare
hippocampus- neural center in limbic system that
helps process explicit memories for storage
Implicit Memory
retention without conscious recollection
motor and cognitive skills
dispositions- conditioning
Storage- Long Term Memory Subsystems
Types of
long-term
memories
Explicit Implicit
(declarative) (nondeclarative)
With conscious Without conscious
recall recall
Facts-general Personally Dispositions-
knowledge experienced Skills-motor classical and
(“semantic events and cognitive operant
memory”) (“episodic conditioning
memory”) effects
Retrieval- Getting Information Out
Recall
- ability to retrieve info learned earlier and not in
conscious awareness-like fill in the blank test
Recognition
- ability to identify previously learned items-like
on a multiple choice test
Retrieval
Relearning
amount of time saved when relearning
previously learned information
Priming
activation, often unconsciously, of particular
associations in memory
Retrieval Cues
Reminders of information to prime memory
Guides to where to look for info
Context Effects
- memory works better in the context of original learning
Retrieval Cues
Deja Vu- (French) already seen
cues from the current situation may subconsciously
trigger retrieval of an earlier similar experience
"I've experienced this before"
Mood Congruent Memory
tendency to recall experiences that are consistent with
one’s current mood
memory, emotions or moods serve as retrieval cues
State Dependent Memory
what is learned in one state (while one is high, drunk or
depressed) can more easily be remembered when in same state
Forgetting as Encoding Failure
Encoding Failure
Information never enters the memory system
Attention is selective
we cannot attend to everything in our
environment
William James said that we would be as bad off if
we remembered everything as we would be if we
remembered nothing
Forgetting as Encoding Failure
Attention
Short- Encoding Long-
External Sensory
term term
events memory Encoding
memory memory
Encoding
failure leads
to forgetting
Forgetting as Interference
Learning some items may disrupt retrieval of other
information
Proactive(forward acting) Interference
- disruptive effect of prior learning on recall of
new information
Retroactive (backwards acting) Interference
- disruptive effect of new learning on recall of old
information
Forgetting as Interference
Retroactive Interference
90% Without interfering
Percentage
of syllables 80 events, recall is
better
recalled 70 After sleep
60
50
40
30
20
10
After remaining awake
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Hours elapsed after learning syllables
Forgetting as Interference
Motivated Forgetting
people unknowingly revise history
Repression
defense mechanism that banishes anxiety-arousing
thoughts, feelings, and memories
Positive Transfer
sometimes old information facilitates our learning of
new information
knowledge of Latin may help us to learn French
Forgetting – Retrieval Failure
Forgetting can result from failure to retrieve
information from long-term memory
Attention
Encoding
External Sensory Short-term Long-term
events memory Encoding memory Retrieval memory
Retrieval failure
leads to forgetting
Forgetting
Sensory memory - the senses momentarily
register amazing detail
Short term memory - a few items are
both noticed and encoded
Long-term storage - Some items
are altered or lost
Retrieval from long-term memory -
depending on interference, retrieval cues
moods and motives, some things get
retrieved, some don’t Information bits
Memory Construction
We filter information and fill in missing pieces
Misinformation Effect
incorporating misleading information into
one's memory of an event
Source Amnesia
attributing to the wrong source an event
that we experienced, heard about, read
about, or imagined (misattribution)
Memory Construction
People fill in memory gaps with plausible
guesses and assumptions
Imagining events can create false
memories
Children's eyewitness recall
Child sexual abuse does occur
Some innocent people suffer false accusations
Some guilty cast doubt on true testimony
Memory Construction
Memories of Abuse
Repressed or Constructed?
Child sexual abuse does occur
Some adults do actually forget such episodes
False Memory Syndrome
condition in which a person’s identity and
relationships center around a false but strongly
believed memory of traumatic experience
sometimes induced by well-meaning therapists
Memory Construction
Most people can agree on the following:
Injustice happens
Incest happens
Forgetting happens
Recovered memories are commonplace
Memories recovered under hypnosis or drugs are unreliable
Memories of things happening before age 3 are unreliable
Memories, whether false or real, are upsetting
Improve Your Memory
Study repeatedly to boost recall
Spend more time rehearsing or actively thinking about
the material
Make material personally meaningful
Use mnemonic devices
associate with peg words- something already stored
make up story
chunk-acronyms
Improve Your Memory
Activate retrieval cues: mentally
recreate situation and mood
Recall events while they are fresh-
write down before interference
Minimize interference
Test your own knowledge
- rehearse
- determine what you do not yet know