Welcome to Memory Lecture 1 “Introduction to Memory”

How to Maximize Your Memory Memory is not the same as intelligence. You can’t really change your intelligence, but your memory IS within your control!! The key is putting in the time & effort necessary to develop a strong memory. However, techniques to improve memory will make more sense to you if you have a general understanding of how our memory operates.

Information Processing Chart OUTPUT 1. SENSORY INPUT 2. SHORT- TERM MEMORY 4. FEEDBACK LOOP 3. REHEARSAL PATH 6. LONG-TERM MEMORY RETRIEVAL PATH 5. LONG-TERM MEMORY

The Information Processing Model Information is received through our 5 senses: Sight Sound Smell Taste Touch The above is known as “sensory input,” and it 1st moves into short-term memory but stays there only 5-30 sec.

How Short-Term Memory Handles Information Quick decision must be made (consciously or subconsciously) to either retain info in long- term memory or dump it Short-term memory contains info. you need RIGHT NOW Examples: Phone #’s you are about to call, Brief list of grocery items to buy Limit to short-term memory capacity is about 7 bits of information Short-term does NOT handle info. you need for exams To transfer info. to long-term memory, it must be repeated over & over…this is called “REHEARSAL”

Let’s Test the Limits of Your Short- Term Memory… 28979 5 numbers: 28979 6 words: ball, cat, trees, candy, cloud, rug ball, cat, trees, candy, cloud, rug 7 numbers: 0516712 0516712 Above exercises are 1 way to test limits of short-term memory Frequent practice will improve your short-term memory memorize license plates memorize phone numbers

A Memory Cartoon

Long-term Memory: the Storehouse for Information that is to be Kept for a Long Time Long-term memory=big storehouse with limitless capacity Many psychologists believe that once info. is in long-term memory, it stays there forever So…why can’t we remember who sat next to us in 1st grade?! ANSWER: There is so much information in our brains, it gets lost. Thus, our problem is how to RETRIEVE information from long-term storage when we need it!

Long-term memory is like a massive library, but information is not always neatly filed. Memories are usually filed according to subject. EXAMPLE: Think of the name of your 2nd grade teacher. When you come up with the name, other related memories also surface. These 2nd grade memories are filed together. Memories can also be cross- referenced or filed in more than one place. Your 2nd grd. teacher’s name could be filed with other teachers’ names as well.

How does information get into my long-term memory? Remarkable events, such as 9/11, enter long- term memory without any real effort from us. But…textbook information or what we ate for dinner 3 nights ago usually does NOT stick in our minds effortlessly! Textbook concepts just aren’t as emotionally moving as natural disasters, assassinations, etc. It is true, though, that some information will stick in your long-term memory by chance.

However, the BEST way to retain less-than-thrilling info. in your long-term memory is through REPETITION, otherwise known as…STUDYING!!! Rereading & rewriting lecture notes repeatedly is better than hoping that concepts will stick in your mind by chance or that a natural disaster will occur while you are looking at the information!!!