Short-term Memory Notes (based on photocopies from class on Sept. 14)

Disappearing Definition PERSONALITY- The distinct patterns of behavior, including thoughts and feelings, that characterize a person’s adaptation to life.

PERSONALITY- The distinct patterns of ________, including thoughts and feelings, that characterize a person’s adaptation to life.

PERSONALITY- The distinct patterns of ________, including thoughts and feelings, that characterize a _______ adaptation to life.

PERSONALITY- The distinct patterns of ________, including thoughts and feelings, that characterize a _______ __________ to life.

PERSONALITY- The distinct ________ of ________, including ________ and________, ____ characterize a _______ __________ to____.

PERSONALITY- The ________ ________ of ________, including ________ and________, ____ characterize a _______ __________ to____.

PERSONALITY- The ________ ________ of ________, _________ ________ and________, ____ ____________ a _______ __________ to____.

PERSONALITY- The ________ ________ __ ________, _________ ________ ___ ________, ____ ____________ _ _______ __________ __ ____.

___________- ___ ________ ______ __ ________, _________ ________ ___ ________, ____ ____________ _ _______ __________ __ ____.

NOW you can write it in your notebook!

PERSONALITY- The distinct patterns of behavior, including thoughts and feelings, that characterize a person’s adaptation to life.

Process of Memory

Three processes to memory p.239 Memory: the ability to retain information over time through encoding, storing and retrieving. Memories are representations of the world that vary in accuracy and are subject to error and bias.

Three processes to memory 1) Encoding: making mental representation of information so that it can be placed into our memories 2) Storing: the process of placing encoded information into relatively permanent mental storage for later recall. 3) Retrieving: process of getting or recalling information that has been placed into short-term or long-term storage

The working of short-term memory

Limited Duration -short-term memory typically lasts 2-30 seconds -memory rehearsal: the practice of intentionally repeating or rehearsing information so that it remains longer in short-term memory. -short-term memory has a limited capacity

Limited Capacity -George Miller (1956) discovered short-term memory only holds 7 items or bits, plus or minus two -Interference can negate this -interference: when new information enters short-term memory and overwrites or pushes out information that is already there.

Chunking -7 items can be increased by chunking -chunking: combining separate items of information into a larger unit, or chunk, and then remembering chunks as individual items.

Transferring/ memorization

Automatic encoding -transferring information to long-term memory without effort or awareness -hold personal interest and keep our attention by associating (fitting together) with previous associations -movies, music, etc.

Effortful encoding -when information is uninteresting, complicated, or requires making new and difficult associations. -requires hard work in order to form new associations -effective method is to link to old information already stored in long- term memory

Rehearsing and Encoding -effective for reenforcing short-term memory through rehearsal rather than forming new associations. -is not effective for long-term memory encoding as no new associations are created for “retrieval”

Elaborative Rehearsal -effort to actively make meaningful association between new information and old info already stored in long-term memory -requires elaboration of the concept: tying several concepts together into a larger concept -effective: creates cues for association

Levels of Encoding -encoding by paying attention only to basic features creates shallow level results. -encoding through new associations to old information creates deeper level for better recall.

Short-term Memorization Methods

Mnemonics -way to improve encoding and create better retrieval cues by forming vivid association or images, which improve recall.

Method of Loci -an encoding technique that creates visual associations between already memorized places and new items to be memorized.

Peg Method -an encoding technique that creates associations between number-word rhymes and items to be memorized

Study time!