Are You A Good Eyewitness? Are You A Good Eyewitness?

Forgetting Forgetting is a result of either: Forgetting is a result of either: 1. Encoding Failure 2. Storage Decay OR 3. Retrieval Failure

Forgetting As Encoding Failure Information never enters the memory system Information never enters the memory system

Encoding Failure: Which Penny is the Real Deal?

Forgetting As Interference Learning some items may disrupt retrieval of other information. Learning some items may disrupt retrieval of other information. Sometimes new memories interfere with storing old memories – teachers often forget names of former students as they learn the names of their current students Sometimes new memories interfere with storing old memories – teachers often forget names of former students as they learn the names of their current students Sometimes old memories interfere with new memories – Cable channel lineup changes Sometimes old memories interfere with new memories – Cable channel lineup changes

Storage Loss: Amnesia Amnesia refers to the loss of memory. Amnesia refers to the loss of memory. Amnesiac patients typically have losses in explicit memory. Amnesiac patients typically have losses in explicit memory.

Types of Amnesia Anterograde Amnesia: type of memory loss where patients are UNABLE TO FORM ANY NEW MEMORIES. Can’t remember anything that has occurred AFTER a traumatic head injury. Anterograde Amnesia: type of memory loss where patients are UNABLE TO FORM ANY NEW MEMORIES. Can’t remember anything that has occurred AFTER a traumatic head injury. Retrograde Amnesia: type of memory loss where patients are UNABLE TO REMEMBER PAST EVENTS. May forget everything that happened BEFORE a traumatic head injury. Retrograde Amnesia: type of memory loss where patients are UNABLE TO REMEMBER PAST EVENTS. May forget everything that happened BEFORE a traumatic head injury.

Revisiting Terms: Retrieval Failure Tip of the Tongue phenomenon: when we are certain we know something yet we are unable to recall it. Tip of the Tongue phenomenon: when we are certain we know something yet we are unable to recall it. Relates to retrieval failure, usually priming or external cues will help you recall the information you are looking for. Relates to retrieval failure, usually priming or external cues will help you recall the information you are looking for.

Motivated Forgetting Motivated Forgetting is the idea that people unknowingly revise their history. Ex: I broke up with her; she didn’t break up with me. Motivated Forgetting is the idea that people unknowingly revise their history. Ex: I broke up with her; she didn’t break up with me. What purpose might motivated forgetting serve? What purpose might motivated forgetting serve?

Motivated Forgetting As A Freudian Concept Repression: idea put forth by psychoanalytic theorists like Freud which states anxiety arousing thoughts, feelings, and memories can be banished from consciousness. Repression: idea put forth by psychoanalytic theorists like Freud which states anxiety arousing thoughts, feelings, and memories can be banished from consciousness. Ex: child abuse, rape, incest may be repressed and not be able to be actively recalled. Ex: child abuse, rape, incest may be repressed and not be able to be actively recalled.

Freud believed Repression was a Defense Mechanism Freud argued individuals often “forgot” traumatic incidents to protect their self concepts and to minimize external anxiety. Freud argued individuals often “forgot” traumatic incidents to protect their self concepts and to minimize external anxiety. Freud argued “Forgotten” incidents are banished the “unconscious.” Freud argued “Forgotten” incidents are banished the “unconscious.” The incidents may cause you to have unexplained phobias or problems, that won’t be helped until you uncover the incident. The incidents may cause you to have unexplained phobias or problems, that won’t be helped until you uncover the incident.

Repression and Controversy of Child Abuse In the late 1980’s a book came out called “The Courage to Heal” which encouraged people to recover memories of abuse. In the late 1980’s a book came out called “The Courage to Heal” which encouraged people to recover memories of abuse. Following the book, “Recover Memory Therapists” arose in great numbers and many people began reporting incidents of “repressed” abuse. Following the book, “Recover Memory Therapists” arose in great numbers and many people began reporting incidents of “repressed” abuse. Sometimes “repressed memories” were used as evidence against individuals in court cases. Sometimes “repressed memories” were used as evidence against individuals in court cases.

Defining Memory Construction Memory Construction refers to the idea that memories are NOT objective recordings of the actual events we experience. Memory Construction refers to the idea that memories are NOT objective recordings of the actual events we experience. Our memories are often affected by our pre- existing schemas and involve information filtering and interpretations. Our memories are often affected by our pre- existing schemas and involve information filtering and interpretations. We can have real memories of events that never took place or that are filled with inaccuracy because we fill in memory gaps with plausible guesses. We can have real memories of events that never took place or that are filled with inaccuracy because we fill in memory gaps with plausible guesses.

Loftus Videos The Bunny Effect The Bunny Effect The Bunny Effect The Bunny Effect Lost in a Mall Lost in a Mall Lost in a Mall Lost in a Mall

Misinformation Effect and Memory Construction Misinformation Effect: incorporating misleading information into one's memory of an event. Misinformation Effect: incorporating misleading information into one's memory of an event. Children are most susceptible to the misinformation effect. Children are most susceptible to the misinformation effect.

Memory Construction Continued Source Amnesia: attributing to the wrong source an event that we experienced, heard about, read about, or imagined (misattribution) Source Amnesia: attributing to the wrong source an event that we experienced, heard about, read about, or imagined (misattribution) Ex: Reagan’s story about WWII gunner was actually from a movie he saw. Ex: Reagan’s story about WWII gunner was actually from a movie he saw. Hillary Clinton had the same occurrence during an election when she claimed she rode on a helicopter Hillary Clinton had the same occurrence during an election when she claimed she rode on a helicopter

I am going to show you a list of words. I am going to show you a list of words. Your task is to memorize the list. Your task is to memorize the list. When I am finished I will ask you to recall the words by writing them down on a half sheet of paper. When I am finished I will ask you to recall the words by writing them down on a half sheet of paper.

Bed

Clock

Dream

Night

Turn

Doze

Mattress

Snooze

Nod

Tired

Night

Artichoke

Insomnia

Rest

Toss

Night

Yawn

Alarm

Nap

Snore

Pillow

Remember as many words as you can. Write them down on your half sheet of paper.

Recall as many words as you can. 1.Bed 2.Clock 3.Dream 4.Night 5.Turn 6.Doze 7.Mattress 8.Snooze 9.Nod 10.Tired 11.Night 12.Artichoke 13.Insomnia 14.Rest 15.Toss 16.Night 17.Yawn 18.Alarm 19.Nap 20.Snore 21.Pillow Primacy effect Recency effectRepetition /Rehearsal DistinctivenessSemantic Organization

Did you remember the word sleep?