DO NOW What are some things that we need to remember? Think of and write down three memories from elementary school. Are they happy memories? Sad memories?

Memory The ability to remember things we have experienced, imagined, or learned Memory is often seen as steps in an information-processing model – Encoding – process of getting information into memory system – Storage – the retention of encoded information – Retrieval – process of getting information out of memory system

Information Processing Model

Computer Encoding – keyboard, mouse, internet connection Storage – active/temporary memory (RAM), permanent memory (hard drive, solid state drive) Retrieval – open files in folders Brain Encoding – senses Storage – short term memory and long term memory Retrieval – accessing or recalling the memories that have been stored

Automatic vs Effortful Processing Automatic The unconscious and effortless process of encoding certain information: space, time and frequency. Ex: theme song to Fresh Prince of Bel Air Effortful Encoding that requires attention and conscious effort Ex: structures of the brain

ENCODING Visual Encoding: the encoding of picture images. Acoustic Encoding: the encoding of sound, especially the sounds of words. Semantic Encoding: the encoding of meaning.

Which type of encoding involves the highest retention?

Encoding of Meaning Encoding information that is meaningful enhances recall When learning new concepts, relate it to your life. Psychology is about you and your behavior – should be easy to relate to

Encoding of words Listen to the following ten words Try to remember as many as you can When asked to, write as many down as you can remember

Go! Write them down!

Serial Position Effect The tendency to recall the first and last items in a list more easily. Primacy effect – the ability to recall information near the beginning of a list – More time to rehearse Recency effect – the ability to recall information near the end of a list – Freshest info in our memory

Primacy/Recency Effect

Encoding Imagery Visual images easily encode Especially extremely positive or negative images We tend to recall the high points better than the mundane and bad stuff

Rehearsal and Retention

Overlearning Continuing to rehearse even after it has been memorized Rehearsing past the point of mastery Helps ensure information will be available even under stress Study material, even after you know it!

Spacing Effect The tendency for distributed practice to yield better retention than is achieved through massed practice

Massed Practice Putting all rehearsal together in one long session (cramming) Not as effective as distributed practice Do musicians or athletes use massed practice?

Distributed Practice Spreading rehearsal out in several sessions separated by period of time Usually enhances the recalling of the information Leads to lifelong knowledge Quiz yourself periodically – study throughout the unit in school

Hermann Ebbinghaus ( ) German philosopher who did pioneering memory studies. Developed the forgetting curve, also called the “retention curve”

Ebbinghaus’s Forgetting Curve DO NOT CRAM!!!!!!!!!!!!

Memory Tricks – Mnemonic devices Acronyms: “PEMBDAS” – order of operations Acrostics: “Elvis’ Guitar Broke Down Friday” to remember the notes on the lines of the scale Rhyming: “In fourteen hundred and ninety-two, Columbus sailed the Ocean Blue” Common sayings: “Righty tighty, lefty loosey”

Chunking

Chunking - Organizing information into smaller or meaningful units Take ten seconds to memorize the above line of letters.

Chunking - Organizing information into smaller or meaningful units Take ten seconds to memorize the above line of letters.

Chunking - Organizing information into smaller or meaningful units