Chapter 7 Memory

The basics Encoding – how info becomes part of memory Storage – maintaining memory Retrieval – recall People think in 2 ways – via language & visually

Encoding Semantic encoding – meanings, concepts, associations, facts - uses elaboration – link - uses visual imagery –

Encoding Dual Coding Theory – these methods make recall more likely Have

Storage Information-processing theories 3 levels Sensory & short-term storage – both for temporary (temporary at first, may/may not go into long- term)

Storage Sensory memory Original input > Brief For visual, auditory - Some

Storage Short-Term Memory (STM) Holds memory Will fade unless you rehearse (keep repeating) Rehearsal STM

Storage STM How much does it hold ? 4-7 items 1950s – 2000s – 4 > said subjects give impression of holding more by grouping items (chunking) New items

Storage STM 2000s – new conceptualization of STM – it can do more than hold ?? items (phonemes ~ words/sounds) STM is really working memory ~

Storage STM as working memory – has functions Phonological loop – Visuospatial sketchpad – Central executive system – manages attn Episodic buffer –

Storage STM as working memory Makes STM more important Typically weakens as we age

Storage Long-Term Memory (LTM) How we In theory, unlimited > ??????? People have difficulty retrieving ~ “can’t remember” “Flashbulb memories” – a moment held, virtually complete - vivid > this theory disputed –

Storage LTM Flashbulb memories – special b/c they are emotional LTM questionable – healthy individuals – there

Organization of Memory Different forms Remembering Schema – assumes Contradictions – studies show that some remember better if memory fits schema/others say distinctions better

Organization of Memory Semantic networks How concepts become linked …..but certain nerves involved Explains word associations Spreading activation within a semantic network – think of one word > move to others

Organization of Memory Connectionist networks Based on parallel distributed processing (PDP) PDP ~ way a PC works – handles same info via many networks – different jobs at same time Brain > excitation & inhibition manage this What is believed:

Organization of Memory PDP Connectionism –

Retrieval How we remember something Cues help Tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon Cues – powerful - give clue - contextual cues – often place, witnesses

Retrieval Reconstruction of memories May not be accurate Misinformation effect – what happened later colored the memory Wording of the story may Δ memory Style of questioning may Δ memory

Retrieval Source monitoring Where we think (infer) memories come from M. Johnson blames most memory errors on this Memories not coded w/ As people remember – they tag a source to it Source-monitoring error –

Retrieval Source-monitoring error Unsure *

Forgetting Has + function > discard useless info Ebbinghaus’s Forgetting Curve – 1880s Only Memorized nonsense syllables Sharp drop immediately > more than ½ (20min-9hr) Material more

Forgetting Measures Retention - % retained Retention interval – time between stimulus and forgetting How to measure Recall, recognition & relearning Recall measure – reproduce w/o cues

Forgetting Recognition measure – material Relearning measure –

Forgetting Reasons 1. Ineffective encoding – - Phonemic v semantic encoding 2. Decay – fading b/c time – 3. Interference –

Forgetting 3. Interference – 2 types A. retroactive interference – later material blocks B. proactive interference – earlier material blocks 4. Retrieval failure – like a PC – cue/encoding mismatch – encoding specificity principle – cue needs to be close to the encoding

Forgetting 5. Motivated forgetting – 6. Physical issues – mostly head injuries Amnesia Retrograde amnesia – unable to remember before injury

Forgetting 6. Amnesia Anterograde amnesia – can’t remember what happened after injury

Types of Memory Declarative memory system – facts Procedural (Non-declarative) memory system – skills, how-to, emotional Declarative memory system – medial temporal lobe, amygdala, cerebellum - Tulving divided declarative mem: semantic & episodic

Types of Memory Declarative memory Episodic memory – personal material, chronological, temporal Semantic memory – facts – not when learned Help: mnemonic device

Mnemonic Device Balkan League Cranial nerves: olfactory, optic, oculomotor, trochlear, trigeminal, abducens, facial, vestibulocochlear, glossopharyngeal, vagus, spinal accessory, hypoglossal = On Mount Olympus’s towering tops, a fat- eared giant viewed some hops