1. Chapter 11 Learning & Behavior (Chance)
Memory and Forgetting
Chapter 11
Learning & Behavior (Chance)

2. Chapter Guiding Questions
What are some ways of thinking about memory?
What kinds of memory have been identified?
Where are memories to be found?
What, exactly, is forgetting?
How is forgetting measured?
Why does forgetting occur?
How does forgetting affect survival?
Are there things I can do to prevent forgetting?
Is forgetting a bad thing?

3. Short and Long Memories
Retention interval—the period between a learning experience and its recall
Short-term memory—any memory with a very short retention interval
Long-term memory—any memory with a relatively long retention interval
Can memories be permanent?

4. Declarative Memories (Examples)
Information that can be declared (or stated) with words
Two types:
Semantic memories—knowledge about the world
Episodic memories—autobiographical memory, event memory, memory for events you have experienced

5. Nondeclarative Memories (Examples)
Memories of knowledge that cannot be expressed, implicit knowledge
Pavlovian conditioning
Procedural memories

6. The Case of H. M.

7. What is forgetting?
Deterioration in learned behavior following a period without practice

8. What variables affect forgetting?
Degree of learning
Overlearning
Prior learning
Proactive interference—occurs when old learning interferes with recall of new information

9. Subsequent learning Context
Retroactive learning—occurs when new learning interferes with older learning
Context
Cue-dependent forgetting

10. How can we reduce forgetting?
Overlearn—learn more to forget less
Mnemonic device—any technique for aiding recall
Mnemonic systems—a system that uses mnemonics to aid recall (loci system, peg word system, etc.)
Use context clues—making the cues that are present during learning also present during recall
Use a prompt—a cue that evokes a behavior

11. Just forget about it!