1. Information Processing
Module 20

2. What is Memory? Process of encoding, storage, and retrieval.
Learning that persists over time.
Encoding
Get info in
Storage
Retain the info
Retrieval
Getting the information out

3. In-Class Activity—A Look Into Memory
Take out a sheet of paper
Write down, in order, all responses that come to mind
Ready?

4. What are the names of the seven dwarfs in the story of Snow White?
Don’t ask a friend!

5. What are the names of the seven dwarfs in the story of Snow White?
Difficult?
Why?
Never learned the names (encoding)
Length of time (storage)
Distractions (retrieval)

6. What if you had a list to choose from?
Grouchy Gabby Fearful Sleepy Smiley Jumpy Hopeful Shy Droopy Dopey Sniffy Wishful Puffy Dumpy Sneezy Lazy Pop Grumpy Bashful Cheerful Teach Shorty Nifty Happy Doc Wheezy Stubby

7. What are the names of the seven dwarfs in the story of Snow White?
Sleepy, Dopey, Grumpy, Sneezy, Happy, Doc & Bashful
Get more names correct with list?
Why?
Recall vs. Recognition

8. What are the names of the seven dwarfs in the Disney movie Snow White?
Feel like you knew a name but couldn’t recall it?
Why?
Tip of the tongue phenomenon
Retrieval failure

9. In-Class Activity – Part 2…
Turn your paper over or fold in half
Write down the names of the seven dwarfs
Easier than before?
Short term memory vs. long term memory

10. Encoding: Getting Information In
Automatic Processing
Time
Space
Frequency
Well-learned material
Effortful Processing

11. Encoding: Getting Information In
Effortful Processing
Ebbinghaus: Rehearsal & Overlearning

12. Serial Position Effect
How do we encode?
Serial Position Effect

13. Spacing Effect Distributed vs. Cramming Rehearsal Primacy & Recency
How do we encode?
Spacing Effect Distributed vs. Cramming Rehearsal Primacy & Recency
Cramming creates speedy short-term memory
But distributed time produces better long-term memory
Role of rehearsal: you are rehearsing more when spacing studying out
you rehearse what you learned last time
If you space studying, always start by reviewing last times info
Role of primacy and Recency
If studying is spaces then different things will be first and last

14. What do we encode? Meaningful Information Encoded Images
Personally meaningful
Related to previously learned info
Encoded Images
Mental “pictures”
Mnemonics
Kids Please Close Our Front Gate Slowly

15. What do we encode? Organized Information Chunking Hierarchies
ROY G BIV
Phone numbers…
Hierarchies

16. This might help you study…

17. Let’s test your encoding! iclicker question
According to the serial position effect, when recalling a list of words you should have the greatest difficulty remembering those:
A) at the beginning of the list
B) at the end of the list
C) in the middle of the list
D) at the beginning and the end of the list

18. iclicker question
You are most likely to automatically encode information about:
A) Politicians names
B) New phone numbers
C) What you did before and after you ate breakfast
D) What we learn today

19. Storage: Retaining the Information
Working/
Short-term
Memory
Sensory
Memory
Long-term
Memory
Encoding
Events
Encoding
Retrieval
Retrieval

20. Storage- Retaining the Information
Sensory Memory
Fleeting representation unless we attend
Lasts for ~ second
Iconic & Echoic

21. Working/Short-Term Memory
Storage
Working/Short-Term Memory
20 secs – couple minutes
“Hold” a limited amount of info (7 +/- 2)
No active processing = no short-term memories disappear

22. Storage Long-Term Memory Info stored; can be retrieved
Lasts indefinitely
Can hold billions of pieces of info

23. Storage- How do we do it? Synaptic Changes
Pathway of neural activation creates a stored memory
Path reinforced with use

24. Storage Stress Hormones Heightened emotions = stronger memories
Boosts activity in memory-forming brain areas
More replay= stronger connections
Can we take a pill for this?

25. Storage Implicit Memory Explicit Memory
Memory for procedures & skill acquisition
Ex: Driving a car
Cerebellum
Explicit Memory
Memory for facts & experiences
Ex: Who was your first kiss?
Hippocampus-temporary storage site
Cortex

26. Retrieval- Getting Information Out
3 Retrieval Types
Recall: generate information
Recognition: identify items
Relearning: learn material for a second time

27. Retrieval Cues: Anchor points used to access the info later

28. Remember better if cues present at encoding are present at retrieval
Context Effects
Remember better if cues present at encoding are present at retrieval

29. Mood-Congruent Memory Recall experiences consistent with current mood
Retrieval
Mood-Congruent Memory Recall experiences consistent with current mood

30. Déjà Vu
Familiar situation can
trigger feelings of
“I’ve been here before”

31. Another Activity… 2 volunteers
1 with musical knowledge (majors, private lessons)
1 with little musical knowledge

32. Expertise Development
Retrieval & Expertise
Expertise Development
Central concepts become increasingly elaborated, organized & interconnected

33. Iclicker Question
When 80-year-old Ida looked at her old wedding pictures, she was flooded with vivid memories of the early years of her marriage, which she had not thought about in decades. The pictures served as powerful:
A) Encoding cues
B) Iconic memories
C) Implicit memories
D) Retrieval cues

34. Iclicker Question
Memory of facts is to ________ as memory of skills is to ________.
A) Brainstem; Hippocampus
B) Explicit Memory; Implicit Memory
C) Automatic Processing; Effortful Processing
D) Short-term Memory; Long-term Memory

35. So could our memory ever be too good?
The women who can’t forget…

36. Mini-writing #9
You have a friend who is struggling in a class. Now that you know so much about memory, identify 2 effects that we have learned about in class that pertain to memory that could help him. Explain each effect and how each effect would improve his test performance.
Effortful processing Rehearsal Overlearning
Serial position effect Spacing Effect Imagery
Meaningfulness Mnemonics Chunking Retrieval Cues Hierarchies Context Effects
Sleep