10.2 Retrieving Information Baylis

Retrieval Process Retrieval The solution to retrieval is organization Recognition Recall Eidetic Memory Retrieval Process

State-Dependent Learning When you recall info easily when you are in the same physiological or emo state. Ex: Study for a test in the same room where you will take it (cue)

Relearning Learn the greek alphabet today 10 years from now, it wont take you as long to be able to say it again. Why? You benefit from earlier learning

Forgetting A failure of memory Involves: decay, interference, or repression Decay Fades away Happens esp. in sensory storage & short-term

Forgetting Interference A memory can be blocked or erased by previous or subsequent memories Proactive  an earlier memory blocks Example: you get a new cell #, but you have trouble remembering it b/c you keep thinking of the old one Retroactive  a later memory (new info) blocks you from remembering old stuff

Forgetting & Freud Repression Blocking can be no accident Block memories that are embarrassing or frightening, traumatic, etc. It still exists but is inaccessible

Amnesia Amnesia – loss of memory after a blow to the head or brain damage Drug use Severe Psych. Stress Different Types of Amnesia Infantile – Prior to age 3 Anterograde – prevents any new memories Retrograde – prior to the trauma , no mem. Amnesia

How do I Improve My Memory? Techniques are based on: - efficient organization - and chunking info

Elaborative Rehearsal Repeating things over and over helps (Maintenance Rehearsal) BUT… Relating new info to something you already know (Elaborative Rehearsal) is better! More meaningful  easier to remember

Example: Elaborative Rehearsal Vocabulary Activity Word: Confabulation Definition: the act of filling in memory gaps My Definition: When I can’t remember something I will make something up in order for my memory to flow better Rewrite Definition: When one can’t remember a piece of a memory they will make it up Example in book: When a person “remembers” info that was never stored

Association You remember things more vividly if you associate them w/ things already stored. The more associations (sensory), the more it can trigger the memory.

Tips Protect a memory from interference: OVERLEARN IT! Avoid studying similar material (i.e. History & Government) Space Out your learning (distributed practice) How you learn something = will affect how you store it (stress not good)

Mnemonic Devices A technique for using associations Method of Loci & Greeks Associations made by walking by certain locations “Thirty days has September” Mental Pictures

Examples of Mnemonic Devices M.A.I.N. – The underlying causes of WWI (Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, and Nationalism) “I before E except after C” HOMES – Great Lakes (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, & Superior) Au is the chemical symbol for Gold. Here’s a sentence to help you remember this fact: A! U! (Hey you!) That’s my gold!  My Very Educated Mother Just Showed Us Nine Planets Oftentimes, people crave seconds when it comes to dessert. Notice that dessert contains two s’s, whereas desert contains only one

More Examples…Mnemonic Devices Thirty days hath September April, June and November. All the rest have thirty-one, But February, it is great And brings to us twenty-eight, Unless it steps out of line And brings to us twenty-nine (leap year occurs every four years. The next one occurs in 2016).

Extra Credit Create your own Mnemonic Device to help you study Chapter 10. Dedicate a whole Left side page to it and get it stamped by Friday!