1. Memory and Cognition When studying material for tests/quizzes, what techniques or strategies do you use to remember the information?

2. Memory  The process by which information is encoded, stored, and retrieved Memory Explicit – specific information Episodic - events Semantic – general knowledge Implicit – skills, procedures Hippocampus = Memory Hippocampus = Memory

3. Flashbulb Memories  Clear memories of emotionally significant events (episodic)

4. Memory Processes EncodingStorageRetrieval

5. Encoding  Translation of info into a form that can be stored in memory OTTFFSSENT

6. Encoding  Visual coding – create a mental picture/image  Acoustic coding – repetition out loud to sequence  Semantic coding – attempt to make/assign meaning

7. Which penny is a REAL penny? A

8. Storage  The maintenance of encoded information over time  Maintenance rehearsal: repetition of new info to avoid forgetting  Elaborative rehearsal: creating a link between new and old info  Memory is organized into groups/classes  like a filing cabinet

9. Retrieval  Recalling info from memory storage  Write the letters you attempted to memorize a few slides ago…  How did you remember these letters?  Success of retrieval relies on proper encoding and storage.

10. Retrieval  Context-dependent memories  info is more easily retrieved in the same context in which it was encoded and stored

11. 3 Stages of Memory Sensory Memory Attention Short Term Memory Rehearsal Long Term Memory Forgetting

12. Sensory Memory  Iconic – mental images of visual stimuli  Echoic – traces of sounds are held and can be retrieved for a few seconds

13. Short Term Memory  AKA “working memory”  7 +/- 2 pieces of info at a time  Chunking - organization of items into meaningful or manageable units  How could you have chunked OTTFFSSENT?  Interference - when new info takes the place of other info in short term memory

14. Long Term Memory  Info stored by rehearsal  Unlimited, but we do not remember everything that we have ever experienced/learned  We reconstruct and shape memories to reflect the way in which we perceive the world.  Loftus Car Crash and Eye Witnesses Loftus Car Crash and Eye Witnesses

15. Types of Retrieval  Recognition: identifying info you have already encountered  Multiple choice tests  Recall: retrieval of learned info  Short answer/essays  Relearning: learning material a 2 nd time  Test corrections

16. Types of Forgetting  Decay: fading of memories overtime  Amnesia: loss of memory, usually tied to a brain injury or biological problem

17. How to Improve Your Memory  Maintenance rehearsal  Flashcards, repetition  Elaborative rehearsal  Make connections to past info  Use mnemonic devices – any type of memory aid  Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally  Form unusual associations  Peg method Peg method

18. Marshmallow Challenge!!!!  Build the Tallest Freestanding Structure: The winning team is the one that has the tallest structure measured from the table top surface to the top of the marshmallow. That means the structure cannot be suspended from a higher structure, like a chair, ceiling or chandelier.  The Entire Marshmallow Must be on Top: The entire marshmallow needs to be on the top of the structure. Cutting or eating part of the marshmallow disqualifies the team.  Use as Much or as Little of the Kit: The team can use as many or as few of the 20 spaghetti sticks, as much or as little of the string or tape. The team cannot use the paper bag as part of their structure.  Break up the Spaghetti, String or Tape: Teams are free to break the spaghetti, cut up the tape and string to create new structures.  The Challenge Lasts 18 minutes: Teams cannot hold on to the structure when the time runs out. Those touching or supporting the structure at the end of the exercise will be disqualified.

19. Cognition  AKA “thinking”  Manipulating info stored in memory to create new info  Metacognition - thinking about thinking  Awareness of your own thought processes  We think to solve problems…

20. Problem Solving  The problem dictates the solving method used.  Algorithm – specific step-by-step procedure that always solves a particular problem.  EX: math formulas, a cooking recipe  Time-consuming but always right  Heuristic – “rules of thumb,” shortcuts in problem solving that work most, but not all, of the time  EX: common sense  Fast but sometimes wrong

21. Insight  Sudden understanding

22. Incubation  Arriving at a conclusion after setting a problem aside  “Sleep on it…”

23. Functional Fixedness  The tendency to think of an object as being useful for only the function that the object is usually used for

24. Creativity  The capacity to use info and abilities in a new or original way  Convergent thinking - thinking limited to available facts  Divergent thinking - thinking that attempts to generate multiple solutions to a problem