Special Topics in Memory Psychology, Unit 5

Today’s Objectives 1. Apply autobiographical memory to your life 2. Describe the explanations for childhood amnesia 3. Name the 2 types of extraordinary memory 4. Apply flashbulb memory to your life 5. Explain the inaccuracies of eyewitness testimony 6. Know the problems with recovered memory

Autobiographical Memory Memory of events and when they took place (episodic) Memory of events and when they took place (episodic) These memories are what make us human These memories are what make us human We have few memories before age 3-4 We have few memories before age 3-4 Most humans report the most important of these occur Most humans report the most important of these occur 18-35

Childhood Amnesia Forgetting experiences that occur before age 2 Forgetting experiences that occur before age 2 b/c: 1. our brains aren’t fully formed 2. we have no sense of self, so we can’t categorize the memories 3. lack of language skills prevent “practice” of memory b/c: 1. our brains aren’t fully formed 2. we have no sense of self, so we can’t categorize the memories 3. lack of language skills prevent “practice” of memory

Extraordinary Memory Eidetic imagery: ability to reproduce unusually sharp and detailed images Eidetic imagery: ability to reproduce unusually sharp and detailed images 1:25 people have eidetic imagery 1:25 people have eidetic imagery Mnemonists: people who have developed keen, long lasting memory Mnemonists: people who have developed keen, long lasting memory

Flashbulb Memories A vivid memory of a certain event and the incidents surrounding it even after a long time has passed (ex: where were you when you heard about 9/11) A vivid memory of a certain event and the incidents surrounding it even after a long time has passed (ex: where were you when you heard about 9/11) Now Print Theory: shocking news caused extra attention to detail and records a whole “print” of all details surrounding the event Now Print Theory: shocking news caused extra attention to detail and records a whole “print” of all details surrounding the event

Eyewitness Testimony Notoriously wrong! Notoriously wrong! b/c: 1. reconstructive theory 2. perceived positive feedback in lineup 3. ulterior motive 4. schema b/c: 1. reconstructive theory 2. perceived positive feedback in lineup 3. ulterior motive 4. schema 1000s of people are found innocent after convictions based on eyewitness testimony 1000s of people are found innocent after convictions based on eyewitness testimony

Post Event Memory Effects Post Event Memory Effects Loftus & Palmer’s (1974) car-crash experiment Loftus & Palmer’s (1974) car-crash experiment Loftus & Palmer’s (1974) Loftus & Palmer’s (1974) Experiment 1 – Participants saw a film of a car accident. They were given a questionnaire of the accident and asked to estimate the speed of the cars involved in the accident. “How fast were the cars going when they (verb) each other?” A different “verb” was used. Experiment 1 – Participants saw a film of a car accident. They were given a questionnaire of the accident and asked to estimate the speed of the cars involved in the accident. “How fast were the cars going when they (verb) each other?” A different “verb” was used. Participants were only shown the film of the car accident once during the study. Participants were only shown the film of the car accident once during the study.

Loftus & Palmer’s (1974) car- crash experiment 1 results

Loftus & Palmer’s (1974) car-crash experiment Experiment 2 – Two of the groups, “smashed (40.8 mph)” and “hit (34 mph)” were asked the following question one week later. Did you see any broken Glass? SmashHit Yes16 7 No3443 Loftus & Palmer’s (1974) car- crash experiment 2

Recovered Memories Traumatic memories are often “lost” Traumatic memories are often “lost” They can be recovered in hypnosis or based on exposure to situational factors They can be recovered in hypnosis or based on exposure to situational factors 25% of people will remember events they never experienced 25% of people will remember events they never experienced Memories are real if there is corroborative evidence to support the memory Memories are real if there is corroborative evidence to support the memory

Exit Ticket 1. Which is an autobiographical memory: knowing the pledge of allegiance or remembering your last birthday 2. Describe a flashbulb memory you have had. 3. Explain the inaccuracies of eyewitness testimony. 4. Explain why recovered memories aren’t allowed in court cases without corroboration.