Remembering and Forgetting

Remembering Network Theory Cognitive map We store ideas in separate categories called nodes As we make associations, we create links among thousands of nodes Cognitive map Personal associations that are followed in order to remember something

Remembering Network Hierarchy Arrangement of nodes in a certain order Top- Abstract information Animal Middle- More specific information Bird or fish Bottom- concrete information Blue jay, rooster, shark or guppy

Forgetting Four major reasons for forgetting Repression Poor retrieval cues Amnesia Interference

Forgetting Repression Emotional process that automatically hides emotionally threatening or anxiety-producing information in the unconscious Comes out in therapy Not always correct Sexual abuse

Forgetting Poor retrieval cues Amnesia Mental reminders that we create by forming vivid mental images or creating associations between new information and information we already know Amnesia Loss of memory that may occur after a blow or damage to the brain, after drug use, or after severe psychological stress

Forgetting Interference The recall of some particular memory is blocked or prevented by other related memories Proactive- old info. (learned earlier) blocks or disrupts the remembering of related new info. (learned) later Retroactive- new info. (learned later) blocks or disrupts the retrieval of related old info. (learned earlier)

Forgetting Biological Bases of Memory Cortex- where you store words, facts, or events Used in both short-term and long-term memory Amygdala- emotional memories, associations Hippocampus- transfers short-term into long-term memory Declarative only

Memorization Mnemonic devices Ways to improve encoding and create better retrieval cues by forming vivid associations or images, which improve recall Method of Loci- creating visual associations between already memorized places and new items to be memorized Peg Method- associations between number-word rhymes and items to be memorized