Forgetting/Memory Related to Education

Why We forget 1.) Ineffective Encoding 2.) Decay 3.) Interference 4.)Retrieval Failure

1.) Ineffective Encoding It may only appear we forget something Information may never have been inserted in memory in first place Examples

2.) Decay Forgetting occurs because memory traces fade over time True for our short term memory example Untrue for long term memory

3.) Interference People forget information because of competition from other material When is interference greatest? 2 Types: 1.) Retroactive Interference 2.) Proactive Interference

Retroactive Interference New info impairs retention of previous information Examples

Proactive Interference Previously learned information interferes with retention of new info examples

Retrieval Failure Something is in our memory, yet we can’t find it -Tip of the Tongue was example Why might this occur?

Memory Disorders 1.) Retrograde Amnesia- Person loses memory for events prior to injury Examples 2.) Anterograde Amnesia – Person loses memory for events that occur after injury Clive Wearing video

Memory findings concerning education

Recall vs. Recognition tests Recall Measures- Require participants to reproduce information without any cues Examples Recognition Measures – Require participants to select previously learned information from array of options Which method do you think research shows yields higher scores?

Recognition measures can depend on options What is the capital of Washington? a.) Seattle b.) Tacoma c.) Spokane d.) Olympia

What is the capital of Washington. a. ) London b. ) Tokyo c What is the capital of Washington? a.) London b.) Tokyo c.)New York City d.) Olympia

Massed vs. Distributed Practice Massed Practice- Practice of studying or learning material all at once Example Distributed Practice – Practice of studying or learning material over time Findings

Other findings Overlearning- Continued rehearsal (or studying) after a person has mastered material What does research suggest?