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
Name the seven dwarfs.

3. 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.
Research on the extremes helps us understand more about memory
Examples of extremes
Clive Wearing – lost memory
Joshua Foer – winner 2006 USA Memory
Olympics

4. Memory Models
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.

5. Memory Models
Like all analogies, computer models have their limitations.
Computers process sequentially where human dual-track minds process simultaneously.
Parallel Processing describes the processing of many things simultaneously.
Enter the classroom; see the warm-up, hear conversations, think about last class, etc.

6. Memory Models
Connectionism model promotes the idea that neural connections are changed or strengthened when you learn something.
Atkinson and Shiffrin propose a three- stage model:
We first record information as a fleeting sensory memory.
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.

7. Memory Models Atkinson and Shiffrin three-stage model External Events
Sensory Memory
Long-term Memory

8. 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.

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

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

11. Memory Models
Others have modified the Atkinson and Shiffrin model to include the idea of working memory.

12. Memory Models Working Short-term Memory Long-term Memory Storage
Automatic Processing
Maintenance Rehearsal
Working Short-term Memory
Encoding
Long-term Memory Storage
External Events
Sensory Input
Sensory Memory
Sensory Input
Encoding
Retrieving
Attention to important or novel information

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

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