1. Introduction to Memory
Modules

2. Opening Activity Get out a blank piece of paper
Write down all the responses that come to mind, in the order they come to mind
In this exercise, incorrect answers are just as important as correct ones in illustrating the principle of memory.

3. Opening Activity
Ready????
Name the seven dwarfs.

4. Opening Activity
Ready????
Name the seven dwarfs.

5. Opening Activity 18% (+/- 2%) of American students can name all seven
Common factors in memory recall
Tip of the Tongue phenomenon
Retrieval failure
Organization by sound, letter or meaning
Wrong responses are similar in sound or letters
Wrong answers likely to include two-syllabled names ending in a y-sound (Lazy, Clumsy, Droopy, Grouchy)
Recall versus Recognition

6. What is Memory?
To psychologists, memory is learning that has persisted over time; it is information that has been acquired, stored, and can be retrieved.
Life without a memory: Clive Wearing

7. 3-Stage Memory Process
Information-processing models are analogies that compare human memory to a computer’s operations.
Encoding describes getting information into our brain.
Storage describes how we retain information.
Retrieval describes how we later get the information back out.

8. Memory Models
Unlike computers that process sequentially, human minds process simultaneously.
Parallel Processing describes the processing of many things simultaneously.
You enter the classroom; see the warm-up, hear conversations, think about last class, etc. all at the same time

9. Memory Models To explain our memory-forming process,
Atkinson and Shiffrin propose a three-stage model:
We first record information as sensory memory: lasting a fraction of a second.
From there, we process information into short - term memory, where we encode it through rehearsal.
Finally, information moves into long - term memory for later retrieval.

10. Memory Models Atkinson and Shiffrin three-stage model External Events
Maintenance Rehearsal
External Events
Sensory Memory
Short-term Memory
Long-term Memory
Immediate, very brief sensory information
Holds a few items briefly (7  2)
Relatively permanent and limitless storage
Knowledge
Skills
Experiences

11. Memory Models
Others have modified the Atkinson and Shiffrin model to include the idea of working memory.
Working memory is a newer concept of short-term memory that focuses on conscious, active processing of incoming auditory and visual-spatial information and of information retrieved from long-term memory.

12. Alan Baddeley’s working memory model
Memory Models
Alan Baddeley’s working memory model

13. Memory Models
Modified three-stage model that includes the idea of working memory.
Automatic Processing
Maintenance Rehearsal
Long-term Memory Storage
External Events
Working Short-term Memory
Sensory Memory
Encoding
Sensory Input
Encoding
Retrieving
Attention to important or novel information

14. Building Memory: Encoding
Effortful –vs– Automatic Processing
Atkinson & Shiffrin’s model focused on explicit memories.
memory of facts and experiences that one can consciously know and “declare.”
(Also called declarative memory)
We encode explicit memories through conscious, effortful processing.
encoding that requires attention and conscious effort.

15. Building Memory: Encoding
Effortful –vs– Automatic Processing
Example of effortful processing:
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At first this requires effort, but with practice it can become more automatic.

16. Building Memory: Encoding
Effortful –vs– Automatic Processing
Automatic processing skips the conscious track and happens without awareness.
unconscious encoding of incidental information such as space, time, frequency, and of well-learned information such as word meanings.
This automatic retention of information is called implicit processing.

17. Building Memory: Encoding
Effortful –vs– Automatic Processing
Examples of automatic processing:
Space: you encode the place on a page where certain information is located.
Time: you unintentionally note the sequence of events that happened in your day.
Frequency: you effortlessly keep track of how many times things happen to you.

18. National Memory Champion
Memory Building
Joshua Foer
2006 U.S.A.
National Memory Champion

19. Homework
Finish your jigsaw puzzle – it is due tomorrow

20. Homework
Reproduce the modified three-stage processing model of memory on the bottom of page 319 in green textbook.
Be prepared to recall information from this model.