1. Forgetting
Psychology, Unit 5

2. Distinguish Decay theory from retrograde amnesia
Today’s Objectives
Distinguish Decay theory from retrograde amnesia
Apply the roles of interference, situational factors, state dependent memories, and the reconstructive process to forgetting and memory recovery
Apply the 10 hints to reduce forgetting to your lives

3. The Biology of Forgetting
Decay Theory: passage of time w/o practice causes neurons to degenerate
Retrograde Amnesia: inability to recall events just prior to an accident or injury w/ no loss of past or future LTM
Thought to be b/c the memories lost aren’t anchored as strong neurons

6. Interference is most often caused when learning similar info
EX: memorize using rote rehearsal and your friend says …
Retroactive interference: new info interferes w/ info already in memory
Proactive interference: info already in memory interferes with new info

7. Environmental cues help to prime memories
Situational Factors
Environmental cues help to prime memories
EX: If I light a vanilla candle while teaching you, then light it when you test, you will do better than testing w/o the candle smell

8. State Dependent Memory
Internal cues can help us accurately recall information
Memories made while under the influence of a drug might be forgotten and then remembered when under the influence again

9. The Reconstructive Process
We often “rewrite” history and adopt the new version as a factual memory
This means many episodic memories are combinations of real and imagined information

10. Dr. Elizabeth Loftus False Memory

11. 10 Ways to Reduce Forgetting
Develop Motivation
Practice Memory Skills
Be Confident in your Ability to Remember
Minimize distractions
Stay Focused
Use Mental Imagery

12. Make connections between new material and other information already stored in your long-term memory
Use retrieval cues
Rely on more than memory alone (ex write things down, etc)
Be aware that your own personal experiences may distort your recall of events

13. Distinguish Decay theory from retrograde amnesia
Exit Ticket
Distinguish Decay theory from retrograde amnesia
Provide an example for a time you experienced: interference, situational factors, state dependent memories, and the reconstructive process
A friend needs to remember information for an important test tomorrow. Tell her about the 3 hints to reduce forgetting you would recommend she use!