Introduction to Memory and Encoding

Memory Memory is the basis of knowing your friends, your neighbors, the English language, the national anthem, and yourself. If there was no memory every one would be a stranger to you, every language foreign, every task new, and even you yourself would be a stranger. Memory is any indication that learning has persisted over time. It is our ability to store and retrieve information.

Flashbulb Memory An unique and highly emotional moment can give rise to clear, strong, and persistent memory called flashbulb memory. This memory is not free from errors. President Bush being told of 9/11 attack. Ruters/ Corbis all photos and text © George Weld, 2001

Stages of Memory Keyboard (Encoding) Flash Drive (Storage) Monitor (Retrieval) Sequential Process All three processes must occur to remember and, subsequently, to learn.

Information Processing Atkinson-Schiffrin (1968) three-stage model of memory includes a) sensory memory, b) short- term memory and c) long-term memory. Bob Daemmrich/ The Image Works Frank Wartenberg/ Picture Press/ Corbis

Sensory Memory ▪Initial, momentary storage of info. -- lasts only an instant (a second or two) Use our senses to take in this info. Allows us to take in all info and decide if it is important enough for us to pay attention If info is not passed on, it is lost (decay, displacement) oThink of sensory memory like a snapshot…but a snapshot that is constantly replaced with new snapshots, unless it is paid attention to and transferred to ST memory

Example of Sensory Memory SparklerWhen you twirl it, does it actually make a circle?

Short-Term (ST) Memory ▪Memory that holds meaningful info for a short period of time, usually less than 30 seconds Has a limited capacity of 7 (+/-) 2 items oCan store more information if info is “chunked” or grouped together oEXAMPLE… PBSFOXCNNABCCBSMTVNBC

Short-Term (ST) Memory ▪Info will leave ST memory if not rehearsed (repetition of info) oThink about when you have to look up a number in the phone book…you have to keep repeating it, until you dial the phone – but if not keep repeating it, you’ll forget it orehearsal will keep info in ST memory and is necessary for info to be transferred to LT memory

Long-Term (LT) Memory ▪Memory that stores information on a relatively permanent basis oAppears to have a limitless capacity oInfo in LT memory is filed and coded so we can retrieve it when needed

Working Memory Alan Baddeley (2002) proposes working memory that acts as an active workspace in which information is retrieved and manipulated & maintained through rehearsal (instead of simpler ST memory described earlier) A “central executive” containing auditory & visual processing makes decisions and reasons…allows us to briefly maintain information in an active state so we can do something with the info If/when info is not used, it is lost…

Encoding- Getting information in What we encode We don’t actually have a picture of Darth Vader in our brains… we have some mental representation that the cognitive system “understands.” Same goes for letters/words.

Encoding: Getting Information In How We Encode 1.Some information (route to your school) is automatically processed. 1.However novel information (friend’s new cell-phone number or a new friend’s name) requires attention and effort.

Automatic Processing Enormous amount of information is processed effortlessly by us, like: 1.Space: While reading a textbook you automatically encode the place of a picture on a page. 2.Time: We unintentionally note when the events take place in a day. 3.Frequency: You effortlessly keep track of how often things that happened to you.

Effortful Processing Novel information committed to memory requires effort, like learning a concept from a text. Such processing leads to durable and accessible memories…the adage of “practice makes perfect” rings VERY true when it comes to memory Spencer Grant/ Photo Edit © Bananastock/ Alamy

Memory Effects 1.Next-in-line-Effect: When your recall is better for what other people say but poor for a person just before you in line. ▪think about when you have had to read aloud in class…you are worried about what you have to read and aren’t paying attention to what the person before you said 1.Spacing Effect: We retain information better when our rehearsal is distributed over time ▪Studies have shown that if you study a bit each night, you’ll remember the information better than if you cram the night before a test 1.Serial Position Effect: When your recall is better for first and last items, but poor for middle items on a list. ▪Let’s try this one… Write down as many U.S. President’s names you can remember

Encoding exercise Let’s see how we encode information… ▪I am going to read a list of words aloud to you…following the directions on your ½ sheet as I read the list, don’t write anything, wait for my directions afterward…

Visual Encoding Mental pictures (imagery) are a powerful aid to effortful processing, especially when combined with semantic encoding. Showing adverse effects of tanning and smoking in a picture may be more powerful than simply talking about it.

Active vs. Passive Processing Active –You visualized what you were trying to remember –You actively tried to put it in your memory –Same can be said for studying Passive –Just tried to memorize, no real processing –Only need to remember right now –Same can be said for studying Evaluate how you study!

Mnemonics Imagery is at the heart of many memory aids. Mnemonic techniques that use vivid imagery in aiding memory. 1.Method of Loci 2.Peg-Word 3.Link Method

Method of Loci List of Items to bring to AP Psychology Paint brush World Maps Laptop Textbook Colored Pencils Computer Paper Imagined Locations within the school Ms. LaPorte Mr. Gold Mrs. Southers Mrs. Marina Ms. Decker Mrs. Polley Involves imagining moving through a familiar series of locations with items to be remembered

Peg-Word Jingle One is bun.. Two is shoe… Three is tree… Four is door… List Lettuce Banana Cheese Tomatoes 1 st memorize a jingle…then associate the jingle with a list trying to remember, even better if can visualize items trying to remember

Link Method Involves forming a mental image of items to be remembered in a way that links them together. List of Items Newspaper Shaving cream Pen Umbrella. Lamp

Chunking Organizing items into familiar, manageable units. Try to remember the number below If you are well versed with American history, chunk the number and see if you can recall it easier

Chunking Acronyms are another way to chunk information and remember it. HOMES = Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior PEMDAS = Parentheses, Exponent, Multiply, Divide, Add, Subtract ROY G. BIV = Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet