Memory: Storage Maintaining information in memory.

Information Processing Theories (Atkinson & Shiffren) Subdivide memory into 3 separate stores. – Sensory store, short-term store (the two temporary storage buffers) – Long-term store. not anatomical structures, but functionally distinct types of memory.

Sensory Memory preserves info in original sensory form for 1/4 second (i.e. sparkler circle/long exposure)sparkler circle provides additional time to recognize stimuli (adaptive advantage)

Short-Term Memory (STM) limited-capacity store; can maintain unrehearsed info for up to sec. rehearsal: repeatedly verbalizing/thinking about info (i.e. phone #) – recitation = phonemic encoding loss of info caused by decay and interference from other info Capacity – George Miller: 7 +/- 2 – Nelson Cowan: 4 +/- 1 (rehearsal by chunking) Facial Memory Test

Chunk – a group of familiar stimuli stored as a single unit

STM as “Working Memory” Alan Baddeley - 4 components: 1. phonological loop (all of STM in previous models) – evolved to facilitate language acquisition? 2. visuospatial sketchpad - temp. holds/manipulates images 3. central executive system - controls deployment of attention; coordinated other modules 4. episodic buffer - info integration/LTM interface Working Memory Capactity – refers to one’s ability to hold and manipulate info in conscious attention. *WMC correlates positively with high-level cognitive abilities

Long-Term Memory (LTM) unlimited capacity, lengthy-period storage – Can LTM store memories indefinitely? Wilder Penfield - lost memories through ESB...(holes?) flashbulb memories - vivid/detailed recollections of big events – subject to similar decay as everyday events – often viewed as more vivid/confident

Representation & Organization in Memory Stephen Wiltshire Conceptual Hierarchies: multilevel classification system based on common properties – clustering: tendency to remember related items in groups (automatic)

Schema - organized cluster of knowledge about event/object extracted from previous experience (i.e. Professor Smith's office) – People sometimes exhibit better recall of things that violate their schemas. Semantic Network – consists of nodes representing concepts, joined together by pathways that link related concepts. – length of pathway dependent upon degree of association (shorter = stronger) – spreading activation (i.e. bread/butter) – strength of action decreases with longer travel

Semantic Network Example

Connectionist Networks and Parallel Distribution Processing (PDP)Parallel Distribution Processing Cognitive processes depend on patterns of activation in interconnected networks resembling neural networks. – specific memories correspond to patterns of activation semantic networks (nodes = concepts) v. PDP (patterns = concepts)

Storage Assignment: Think of a flashbulb memory you have and, in at least 1/2 a page, write down every detail you can recall. Consider things like: your location details of the event (sequence)* personal reactions reactions of others

Extra Credit - Flashbulb Memory Assignment Every generation usually shares a flashbulb memory. Through interview (in person, phone, etc.) try to ask people about the following flashbulb memories of the past. How vividly do they remember their whereabouts? What emotional reactions did they have about the event. – The bombing of Pearl Harbor – Kennedy’s Assassination – The bicentennial – Ronald Reagan’s attempted assassination – The Challenger explosion – Princess Diana’s Death – September 11 th 2001 – President Obama’s election/inauguration