Memory Chapter 5 Psyc103 Jen Wright

announcements Mid-semester evaluation – ed link Exam extra credit –MC/TF – Colin & Cosette will administer an “extra credit” (.5 pt/question) –Research Essay – article write-up off ereserve Instructions will be posted on the website

what is memory ? A) the ability to store information over long periods of time. B) the ability to store information over short periods of time. C) the ability to retrieve information. D) A&B E) all of the above

three steps… The first step of memory is…? –A) storage –B) retrieval –C) encoding The second step of memory is…? The third step of memory is…?

 Encoding  Encoding  Storage  Encoding  Storage  Retrieval

memory: two views Memory as a passive recording device –Just like a tape-recorder, video-camera, copy machine –Accurately and reliably records information from our environment. Memory as an active process of construction (and re-construction) –Influenced by prior knowledge. future knowledge. emotional experiences. goals, interests, desires of rememberer. Hmmm…what is this starting to sound like?

encoding techniques Visual imagery encoding Storing information in a visual (pictorial) form –Remembering your shopping list by visualizing the objects you want to buy Amplifies cognition –Models –Graphs

encoding techniques Elaborative encoding –Forming connections Semantic Categorical –Conceptual hierarchy –Other associative relationships

elaborative coding visual meaning rhyme

elaborative coding (cont’d) Encoding influenced by many aspects of the coder him/herself Historic connections (connections in time) Emotional significance Even (possibly) gender! What encoding techniques do you use?

reminders Mid-semester evaluation Exam “make-up” points –Instructions for points missed on research essay are posted on the website –Extra credit for points missed on MC/TF will be available starting next Monday Research participation

storage When it comes to storage, what comes first? –A) sensory store –B) long-term memory (LTM) –C) short-term memory (STM) What comes second? What comes third? Working memory typically refers to: –A) long-term memory –B) short-term memory

storage Sensory store  working STM  LTM Strategies for actively using WSTM –Rehearsal –Chunking What are some techniques you use?

long term memory Memory formation causes changes in hippocampus –Formation of new synaptic connections –Long-term potentiation T/F: Strengthening of synaptic connections T/F: Heightened activity in NMDA receptors

types of long-term memory 3+3=6 Which of these is the most important for the development of the “self”? Context independent Context dependent Motor memory All kinds of things act as “primes”

amnesia Anterograde amnesia –A) No memory forward – problem with storage –B) No memory backward – problem with retrieval Retrograde amnesia –A) No memory forward – problem with storage –B) No memory backward – problem with retrieval Drug induced Brain damage (hippocampus) Semantic & episodic, but not procedural memory

retrieval Retrieval cues –Information associated with stored information that helps bring it to mind Interestingly, trying to remember looks different from successfully remembering

retrieval cues Hints Semantic association Historic association Emotional state association Smells and sounds Psychological/physical state association –State-dependent learning

seven “sins” of memory Transience  T/F: Forgetting things with the passing of time. Switch from specific memory to general memory –“fill-in-the-blanks” –Gist memories Gradual reconstruction (patch-work quilt) Interference –Retroactive interference –Proactive interference

absent-mindedness  Lapse in attention that results in memory failure. Role of attention in memory formation –Divided attention Lower frontal lobe activity Division in allocated resources –Prospective memory Memory aides

persistence T/F: Recollection of memories we cherish & don’t want to forget.  False!  Intrusive recollection of memories we wish we could forget –Flash-bulb memories Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

suggestibility  The incorporation of misleading information into memory recollection. –Confabulation –Mere exposure

bias Distorting influences of present information to memory recollection. –Consistency bias –Change bias –Egocentric bias

memory misattribution Assigning memory/idea to the wrong source –Source memory Late to develop –False recognition Associative connections –Historical overlap –Serious implications: eyewitness testimony

blocking  T/F: Active attempt to block storage of information in memory.  False! Failure to retrieve information that is available in memory –Tip-of-the-tongue phenomena –Absence of appropriate retrieval cues –Weak associative connections

constructive nature of memory If constructive memory is so bad, then why do we have it?  Constructive episodic simulation –Being able to actively construct our past allows us to actively imagine our future We need to learn to avoid future dangers by remembering past dangers –But the future is never an exact replica of the past –It would be a useful adaptation to be able to alter the past in ways that allow for an anticipation of possible future events

erasing our memories Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind…? – If you could erase bad memories and/or create good ones – would you? Nozick’s “experience machine”