Memory The persistence of learning over time through the storage and retrieval of information.

Encoding The processing of information into the memory system. Typing info into a computer Getting a girls name at a party

Storage The retention of encoded material over time. Trying to remember her name when you leave the party. Pressing Ctrl S and saving the info.

Retrieval The process of getting the information out of memory storage. Seeing her the next day and calling her the wrong name (retrieval failure). Finding your document and opening it up.

Three Box Model of Memory

Sensory Memory A split second holding tank for ALL sensory information. Sperling’s research on Iconic Memory Echoic Memory

Process of Encoding: 2 Types Effortful Automatic

Types of Encoding Automatic Processing unconscious encoding of incidental information space time frequency well-learned information word meanings we can learn automatic processing reading backwards

Effortful Processing Effortful Processing: type of encoding that requires attention and conscious effort. Ex: Learning new vocabulary terms, memorizing historical events/chronology, etc. Encoding can be aided by maintenance rehearsal: simple rote repetition of information in consciousness or even more successfully by elaborate rehearsal: processing of information for meaning which can more easily help produce long term memories.

Short Term Memory The stuff we encode from the sensory goes to STM. Events are encoded visually, acoustically or semantically. Holds about 7 (plus or minus 2) items for about 20 seconds. We recall digits better than letters.

King of Memory Experiments is Hermann Ebbinghaus Practice makes perfect! The more REHEARSAL done on day 1, the less needed on day 2. The spacing effect! Studying over a long period of time produces a better retention rate. DON’T CRAM!

Ebbinghaus’s Forgetting Curve

Serial Positioning Effect Our tendency to recall best the last and first items in a list.

The Ways we can encode… Visual Encoding: the encoding of picture images. Acoustic Encoding: the encoding of sound, especially the sounds of words. Semantic Encoding: the encoding of meaning.

Ways to remember things in STM…so they go to LTM Mnemonic devices ROY G BIV Every Good Boy Does Fine Always Fifty Nifty United States Rehearsal

group like things together CHUNKING group like things together How do you remember a phone #? 9528295379 You CHUNK it! 952- 829- 5379

Long Term Memory Unlimited storehouse of information. Explicit (declarative) memories Implicit (non-declarative) memories

How does our brain store long-term memories? Memories do NOT reside in single specific spots of our brain. They are not electrical (if the electrical activity were to shut down in your brain, then restart- you would NOT start with a blank slate).

Long-Term Potentiation (LTP) The current theory of how our long-term memory works. Memory has a neural basis. LTP is an increase in a synapse’s firing potential after brief, rapid stimulation. In other words, if you are trying to remember a phone number, the neurons are firing neurotransmitter through the synapse. The neuron gets used to firing in that pattern and essentially learns to fire in that distinct way. It is a form of rehearsal (but for our neurons).

Explicit Memories Episodic Memories – specific life memories Semantic Memories – general knowledge

Memory Formation Memories formed easily in stressful and emotional situations Brain uses more glucose (increases brain activity) and emotion/stress hormones (epinephrine & adrenaline)

Flashbulb Memory A clear moment of an emotionally significant moment or event. Where were you when? 1. You heard about 9/11 2. You heard about the death of a family member 3. When Osama Bin Laden was killed

Implicit Memories Procedural Memories (skill memories) – how you do things – remembered without conscious knowledge

The Hippocampus Damage to the hippocampus disrupts our memory. Left = Verbal Right = Visual and Locations The hippocampus is the like the librarian for the library which is our brain.

Cerebellum’s Role in Implicit Memory Cerebellum: helps facilitate associate learning responses ie classical conditioning. Cutting pathway to the cerebellum makes rabbits unable to learn conditioned responses.

Prospective and Retrogressive Memory (NOT IN YOUR BOOK!) Prospective Memory: remembering to do something in the future Ex. I need to remember to get my wife an anniversary gift. Retrospective Memory: remembering you already did something in the past Ex. I already got my wife an anniversary gift

A Diagram For Your Viewing Pleasure Types of long-term memories Explicit (declarative) With conscious recall Implicit (nondeclarative) Without conscious Facts-general knowledge (“semantic memory”) Personally experienced events (“episodic Skills-motor and cognitive Dispositions- classical and operant conditioning effects

Retrieval Recall Versus Recognition you must retrieve the information from your memory fill-in-the blank or essay tests you must identify the target from possible targets multiple-choice tests

Retrieval Cues Priming: activation, often unconsciously, of particular associations of memory.

The Context Matters!!! Flashbulb Memories Mood Congruent Memory State Dependent Memory