The Persistence of Memory
Review of Long-term Memory Working or Short-term Memory Sensory Input Attention Encoding Retrieval Maintenance Rehearsal key words: long-term memory; retrieval; forgetting
Forgetting theories Poor encoding theories Decay theories Interference theories Retrieval-cue theories key words: forgetting; encoding; decay theories; interference theories; retrieval cues
When do we forget? It can occur at any memory stage Sensory memory Retrieval from long-term memory Depending on interference,retrieval cues, moods, and motives, some things get retrieved, some don’t. Long-term storage Some items are altered or lost. Short-term memory A few items are both noticed and encoded. Sensory memory The senses momentarily register amazing detail. It can occur at any memory stage key words: forgetting
Forgetting as encoding failure Info never encoded into LTM Encoding X Long-term memory Encoding failure leads to forgetting Short-term key words: forgetting; encoding
Which is the real penny? (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) (j) (k) (l) (m) (n) (o) key words: forgetting; encoding
Answer (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) (j) (k) (l) (m) (n) (o) key words: forgetting; encoding
Decay theories Memories fade away or decay gradually if unused Average percentage of information retained 20 mins 1 hr 8 hrs 24 2 days 6 31 Interval between original learning of nonsense syllables and memory test 100% Memories fade away or decay gradually if unused Time plays critical role key words: forgetting; retrieval; decay theories
Interference theories “Memories interfering with memories” One memory competing with or replacing another memory key words: forgetting; retrieval; interference theories
Two types of interference Retroactive Interference Proactive key words: forgetting; retrieval; interference theories;retroactive interference; proactive interference
Retroactive interference When a NEW memory interferes with remembering OLD information Example: When new phone number interferes with ability to remember old phone number key words: forgetting; retrieval; interference theories; retroactive interference
Retroactive interference Example: Learning a new language interferes with ability to remember old language Study French papier livre plume école Study Spanish papel libro pluma escuela French 101 Mid-term exam F- key words: forgetting; retrieval; interference theories; retroactive interference Notes: This is similar to an upcoming slide for proactive interference. The foreign language example can be used to demonstrate both retroactive and proactive interference, depending upon how you present it. Thus, examples of both are included. However, I generally only present only one of the two examples to avoid confusion for the students. For instance, I'll use the foreign language example for retroactive interference and the parking lot example for proactive interference. retroactive interference
Proactive interference When an OLD memory interferes with remembering NEW information Example: Memories of where you parked your car at school the past week interferes with ability find car today ? key words: forgetting; retrieval; interference theories; proactive interference
Proactive interference Example: Previously learned language interferes with ability to remember newly learned language Study French papier livre plume école Study Spanish papel libro pluma escuela SPANISH 101 Mid-term exam F- key words: forgetting; retrieval; interference theories; proactive interference Notes: This is similar to the slide for retroactive interference. The foreign language example can be used to demonstrate both retroactive and proactive interference, depending upon how you present it. Thus, examples of both are included. However, I generally only present only one of the two examples to avoid confusion for the students. For instance, I'll use the foreign language example for retroactive interference and the parking lot example for proactive interference. proactive interference
Retrieval cue theories Retrieval cue - a clue, prompt or hint that can help memory retrieval Examples: key words: forgetting; retrieval; retrieval cues
Which retrieval cues work best? Encoding specificity principle - cues used during initial learning more effective during later retrieval than novel cues key words: forgetting; retrieval; retrieval cues; encoding specificity principle; context-dependent effects
Which retrieval cues work best? Context-dependent memory - improved ability to remember if tested in the same environment as the initial learning environment Examples: class, smell key words: forgetting; retrieval; retrieval cues; encoding specificity principle; context-dependent effects
Context dependent effects Time of day is also important 9 6 12 3 Learn at 3pm Perform better at 3pm Than 9pm key words: forgetting; retrieval; retrieval cues; context-dependent effects
Context-dependent effects Percentage of words recalled Different contexts for hearing and recall Same contexts for hearing and recall kWords heard underwater are best recalled underwater Words heard on land are best recalled on land y words: forgetting; retrieval; retrieval cues; context-dependent effects Notes: This graph refers to a study by Duncan Godden and Alan Baddeley (1975). In this study, scuba divers listened to a list of words either while they were on land or while they were underwater. They were later asked to recall as many words as possible. Results indicate that contextual consistency (i.e. land-land or water/water) results in better performance. Land/ land Land/ water Water/ water Water/ land
State-dependent effects Recall improved if internal physiological or emotional state is the same during testing and initial encoding key words: forgetting; retrieval; retrieval cues; context-dependent effects; state-dependent effects
State-dependent effects Mood or emotions also a factor Bipolar depressives Info learned in manic state, recall more if testing done during manic state Info learned in depressed state, recall more if testing done during depressed state
State dependent effects Drunk during learning Recall better if drunk Than if sober key words: forgetting; retrieval; retrieval cues; state-dependent effects Notes: Example of state-dependent effect: A person who hides money while drunk may forget the location until drunk again. For this example, I usually stress that this this is not a call to get drunk before an exam in order to improve your grade. I point out that subjects who are sober at the initial time of learning and during testing do significantly better than those in an intoxicated state.
Memory Video -Loftus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4V6aoYuDcg- Show this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RLvSGYxDIs ( Bunny Effect)
Eyewitness testimony Schema - mental representation of an object, scene or event Example: schema of a countryside may include green grass, hills, farms, a barn, cows etc. Key words: eyewitness testimony; memory distortion; schemas; scripts
Loftus experiment Subjects shown video of an accident between two cars Leading question: “About how fast were the cars going When they smashed into each other?” Memory construction Subjects shown video of an accident between two cars Some subjects asked: How fast were the cars going when the smashed into each other? Others asked: How fast were the cars going when the hit each other? Key words: eyewitness testimony; memory distortion; Loftus; misleading information
Loftus results Word Used Average in Question Speed Estimate 41 m.p.h. smashed collided bumped hit contacted 41 m.p.h. 39 m.p.h. 38 m.p.h. 34 m.p.h. 32 m.p.h.
Memory Video -Loftus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4V6aoYuDcg- Show this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RLvSGYxDIs ( Bunny Effect)