Psychology of Music Learning Miksza Memory Processes

Cognitive Information Processing (CIP) Mind possesses a structure consisting of components for processing information – Storing, retrieving, transforming, using – Based on a computer-like model – Most rooted in Atkinson & Shiffrin (1968) Multi-store, multi-stage model

Flow of Information Sensory input Sensory memory – All 5 senses – ½ second Working memory (short-term memory) – Also has modalities – Consciousness, active thinking – Limited in time and content – seconds Long-term memory – Permanent store, unlimited

Processing Not truly linear – more of a back and forth – New information interacts with old information An ‘executive’ monitor keeps track of information flow and makes decisions Sensory – Attend to stimuli Short-term – Code information/retrieve information Long-term – Encode information/integrate information

Sensory Memory General phenomena – Information in sensory memory decays rapidly without processing – Similar phenomenon for visual and aural modality – although longer time for aural events – Attention helps focus of memory (e.g., Sperling tone) and tune out unnecessary info

Sensory Memory (cont.) Selective attention – Meaning – Similarity – Complexity/difficulty Automaticity – When minimal attention is required to operate – cognitive or skill-based functions Pattern recognition – Recognizing exemplars and principles Pattern templates vs. prototypes vs. feature analysis Gestalt laws Past experiences, context

Working Memory 7 + or – 2 units (Miller) But, working memory can increased via chunking 15 – 30 seconds before working memory decays Primacy and recency effects Rehearsal – Maintenance – repetition – Elaborate/Encoding – relating new information to existing information Encoding – Outlines, hierarchies, concept trees, mnemonics, imagery, self- questioning, are helpful All steps for transforming info in working memory to long-term memory

Long-term Memory Types – Episodic – specific events – Semantic – general ideas – Procedural – doing, steps – Declarative – knowing Models – Network model – nodes associated by similarity/relation of concept – Feature comparisons model – fuzzy vs. clear overlaps among conceptual features – Propositional model – subject/predicate vs. node – Parallel distributed processing models – all possible paths searched at the same time, built on connections that are sub-symbolic – Dual code – verbal and non-verbal systems… is that all?

Long-term Memory (cont.) Retrieval – Recall – generate information – Recognition – info already generated, only recognize if matches – Encoding specificity – how it was stored is best for how it can be retrieved Cues, state of mind, environment Forgetting – Failure to encode – Failure to retrieve Interference,

Instruction Organized instruction – Signaling attention, pattern recognition, imagery, multiple representations of info Extensive and variable practice – Encode like you want to retrieve, develop automaticity, practice attaching cues Enhance self-regulation