1. Autobiographical Memory Psychology 3717

2. Introduction Really here we are talking about autobiographical memory Really here we are talking about autobiographical memory So, while there will be some references to semantic memory, most of the stuff will be, by definition, episodic So, while there will be some references to semantic memory, most of the stuff will be, by definition, episodic That said, we cannot ignore the semantic aspects of autobiographical memory That said, we cannot ignore the semantic aspects of autobiographical memory

3. Problems Unlike say lists of words, autobiographical memory is hard to study Unlike say lists of words, autobiographical memory is hard to study All self reports All self reports Hard to check on the reliability of the responses Hard to check on the reliability of the responses The diary approach and the cue word approach may be useful, but have their limitations The diary approach and the cue word approach may be useful, but have their limitations

4. Linton (1986) Recorded events Recorded events Dated them Dated them Recalled a sample Recalled a sample Forgot about 5 percent per year Forgot about 5 percent per year Wagenaar (1986) used a similar procedure though recorded only one event per day, who, what, when, where Wagenaar (1986) used a similar procedure though recorded only one event per day, who, what, when, where

5. Wagenaar Power function Power function Cues Cues 5 per day 5 per day Best recall for happy events Best recall for happy events Still, using yoursefl as your own subject may not be the best approach Still, using yoursefl as your own subject may not be the best approach

6. Cue word method Give a list of words Give a list of words Have subject associate the words with autobiographical events Have subject associate the words with autobiographical events Then give cues Then give cues Reminiscence bump Reminiscence bump

7. Reminiscence Bump Why? Why? Memories are happier? Memories are happier? Encoding processes are better? Encoding processes are better? Could be due to school and age combining here Could be due to school and age combining here Big events? Big events? Dunno…. Dunno….

8. Please just listen Pin Pin Inoculation Inoculation Haystack Haystack Sharp Sharp Pointy Pointy Knitting Knitting phonograph phonograph

9. Autobiographical memory as narrative Narrative means you know, like a story… Narrative means you know, like a story… So when you tell a story, recall some event, what do you get right? So when you tell a story, recall some event, what do you get right? Surprisingly little! Surprisingly little! You get the gist You get the gist But specific stuff, not so good But specific stuff, not so good

10. Unleash the controversy! Repressed memories Repressed memories Freudian idea (booooooooooooo) Freudian idea (booooooooooooo) Of course there is child abuse Of course there is child abuse Most people remember abuse Most people remember abuse Most will not tell because of embarrassment or threats Most will not tell because of embarrassment or threats Implanting false memories is VERY easy Implanting false memories is VERY easy

11. Can we tell the difference? And there is the problem And there is the problem It is very difficult to tell the difference, though some PET studies are promising It is very difficult to tell the difference, though some PET studies are promising If you are to convict someone of something, you need evidence If you are to convict someone of something, you need evidence Memories are just one form of evidence Memories are just one form of evidence Our memories are at best reconstructive Our memories are at best reconstructive

12. Raise you hand if you heard this word earlier Pin Pin Book Book Chair Chair Ceiling Ceiling Sharp Sharp Pointy Pointy Haystack Haystack Needle Needle

13. Flashbulb Memories Seem to be hyper accurate Seem to be hyper accurate Seem to be super detailed Seem to be super detailed Almost always about shared cultural experiences Almost always about shared cultural experiences But they are NOT as accurate as they seem But they are NOT as accurate as they seem

14. 9/11 Do we all remember where we were? Do we all remember where we were? Les Cake at SWGC of MUN decided to test this Les Cake at SWGC of MUN decided to test this Had his 2 nd year cognition course fill out a questionnaire Had his 2 nd year cognition course fill out a questionnaire 37% recall after 3 years 37% recall after 3 years

15. Conclusions about episodic memory Autobiographical memory is usually episodic Autobiographical memory is usually episodic Such memories tend to be best guesses Such memories tend to be best guesses The guesses are USUALLY good guesses The guesses are USUALLY good guesses Your memory is reconstructive Your memory is reconstructive