Memory Chapter 7A Look for 60 minutes called eye witness about false accusations of ron cotton raping woman.

The Seven Dwarfs – can you identify the correct names? 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

Memory Memory is the basis for knowing your friends, your neighbors, the English language, the national anthem, and yourself. If memory was nonexistent, everyone would be a stranger to you; every language foreign; every task new; and even you yourself would be a stranger.

The Phenomenon of Memory Memory is any indication that learning has persisted over time. It is our ability to store and retrieve information.

Studying Memory: Information Processing Models The Atkinson- Schiffrin (1968) three-stage model of memory includes a) sensory memory, b) short-term memory, and c) long-term memory. Preview Question 1: How do psychologists describe the human memory system? This is the OLD way to describe our memory system – there are some assumptions missing when memory is described in this way Keyboard (Encoding) Disk (Storage) Monitor (Retrieval) Sequential Process

Information Processing The more modern way to view our memory processing involves noticing stimuli in sensory memory and then encoding it into working memory and long term memory We encode memory in our short term memory through rehearsal Bob Daemmrich/ The Image Works Frank Wartenberg/ Picture Press/ Corbis Bob Daemmrich/ The Image Works

Modifications to the Old Three-Stage Model Some information skips the first two stages and enters long-term memory automatically (without our conscious awareness). Since we cannot focus on all the sensory information received, we select information that is important to us and actively process it into our working memory. In order for information to reach our working memory, we focus on it and then process it

Working Memory A newer understanding of short-term memory that involves conscious, active processing of incoming auditory and visual-spatial information, and of information retrieved from long-term memory

Encoding: Getting Information In How We Encode Some information (route to your school) is automatically processed. However, new or unusual information (friend’s new cell-phone number) requires attention and effort. Short term memory encoding requires rehearsal Preview Question 2: What information do we encode automatically? What information do we encode effortfully, and how does the distribution of practice influence retention?

We process an enormous amount of information effortlessly: Automatic Processing We process an enormous amount of information effortlessly: Space: While reading a textbook, you automatically encode the place of a picture on a page. Time: We unintentionally note the events that take place in a day. Frequency: You effortlessly keep track of things that happen to you. Well learned information: for example, when you see words in your native language, perhaps on the side of a delivery truck, you cannot help but register their meaning. At times automatic processing is so effortless that it is difficult to shut off.

Effortful Processing Committing new information to memory requires effort just like learning a concept from a textbook. Such processing leads to durable and accessible memories. Spencer Grant/ Photo Edit © Bananastock/ Alamy

Effortful learning usually requires rehearsal or conscious repetition. Ebbinghaus studied rehearsal by using nonsense syllables: TUV YOF GEK XOZ http://www.isbn3-540-21358-9.de Hermann Ebbinghaus (1850-1909)

Rehearsal The more times the nonsense syllables were practiced on Day 1, the fewer repetitions were required to remember them on Day 2.

Memory Effects Spacing Effect: We retain information better when we rehearse over time. This doesn’t mean cramming…it means rehearse over time Serial Position Effect: When your recall is better for first and last items on a list, but poor for middle items. Primacy effect Recency effect

Encoding Preview Question 3:What effortful processing methods aid in forming memories?

Encoding Meaning Processing the meaning of verbal information by associating it with what we already know or imagine. Encoding meaning (semantic encoding) results in better recognition later than visual or acoustic encoding.

Visual vs. Auditory encoding Class activity

Mnemonics Imagery is at the heart of many memory aids. Mnemonic techniques use vivid imagery and organizational devices in aiding memory.

Grocery list Begin!!! 1. honey 2. dog food 3. sugar 4. oranges 5. ice cream 6. peanut butter 7. bread 8. pork chops 9. milk 10. potato chips Begin!!!

Now, on paper, write down the list and in order in which the list was given to you. How well did you do?

Now take yourself on a tour of your house and place your grocery list in different spots on that tour. Example: watch the honey flow out of the toaster and onto the counter, your dog eating dog food on top of the kitchen table. Proceed to the living room, where sugar is embedded into the shag carpet, oranges are under the pillows on the couch, and peanut butter is stuck between the piano keys. Ice cream is melting in the fireplace. Go up stairs with a slice of bread on each step, pork chops floating in the tub, milk tipped over on the dresser and potato chips are stuck between the bed sheets. Demonstrates the loci method – associating physical locations with items to remember

Organizing Information for Encoding Break down complex information into broad concepts and further subdivide them into categories and subcategories. Chunking Hierarchies

Chunking Organizing items into a familiar, manageable unit. Try to remember the numbers below. 1-7-7-6-1-4-9-2-1-8-1-2-1-9-4-1 If you are well versed with American history, chunk the numbers together and see if you can recall them better. 1776 1492 1812 1941.

Acronyms are another way of chunking information to remember it. HOMES = Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior ROY G. BIV = Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet

Hierarchy Complex information broken down into broad concepts and further subdivided into categories and subcategories.

Encoding Summarized in a Hierarchy