Memory – encoding, storage & retrieval Chapter 29

Selection, encoding, storage & retrieval Memory is selective Memory is selective – only a fraction of sensory stimuli is selected for memory – only a fraction of sensory stimuli is selected for memory Sensory images for memory need to be encoded Sensory images for memory need to be encoded Can be visual, acoustic or semantic (meaning) Can be visual, acoustic or semantic (meaning) Committing to memory aided by rehearsal, organisation & elaboration Committing to memory aided by rehearsal, organisation & elaboration Average: 5-9 new pieces of info can be held in memory span Average: 5-9 new pieces of info can be held in memory span ‘Chunking’ helps increase memory span ‘Chunking’ helps increase memory span

Different levels of memory Level 1 Level 1 – V. short lived (0.5 secs for visual, 2 secs for auditory). – V. short lived (0.5 secs for visual, 2 secs for auditory). - v. little transferred to level 2 - v. little transferred to level 2 Level 2 (STM) Level 2 (STM) – only a limited amount held here (5-9 items) – only a limited amount held here (5-9 items) - held for a short time (30 secs) - held for a short time (30 secs) - most is forgotten, some to level 3 - most is forgotten, some to level 3 Level 3 (LTM) Level 3 (LTM) – unlimited capacity – unlimited capacity - encoded items are packaged into categories - encoded items are packaged into categories - items need to be focused on to be remembered (rehearsal) - items need to be focused on to be remembered (rehearsal) - items can be retrieved from LTM when needed - items can be retrieved from LTM when needed - primacy & recency influences what is memorised - ‘serial position effect’ - primacy & recency influences what is memorised - ‘serial position effect’

Organisation & Elaboration Organisation of new info into categories helps retention Organisation of new info into categories helps retention e.g ‘family’, seasons’, ‘metals’ e.g ‘family’, seasons’, ‘metals’ Group headings act as contextual clues Group headings act as contextual clues - aid retrieval from LTM to STM and vice versa - aid retrieval from LTM to STM and vice versa Elaboration of meaning – helps commit to long term retention Elaboration of meaning – helps commit to long term retention

Classification Info in LTM is stored into categories Info in LTM is stored into categories When something is to be recalled, a search for the info starts When something is to be recalled, a search for the info starts Contextual clues aid the search Contextual clues aid the search These trigger impulses through memory circuits These trigger impulses through memory circuits The more categories info is stored under, the easier the search The more categories info is stored under, the easier the search If cues are weak then memory can be hard to retrieve If cues are weak then memory can be hard to retrieve – ‘tip of the tongue’ state – ‘tip of the tongue’ state Mnemonics are tricks to help aid memory Mnemonics are tricks to help aid memory