Memory and Thought Introduction The Processes of Memory Memory and the Brain Forgetting and Ways to Remember

Bell Ringer What do you think leads to the best learning? Amount of time spend studying. Paying close attention to the materials as you study. The intention or desire to learn. What you think about while studying. Learning in a way that matches your personal learning style.

Activity On a separate sheet of paper number it from 1 to 20. For each word that I tell you write down 2 words that you would associate with it. E.g. = toast  butter and jelly

Video While you are watching “Brain Games” pay close attention to the concepts that are presented. Participate in all of the activities they include in the video.

The Processes of Memory Memory and Thought The Processes of Memory Memory and the Brain Forgetting and Ways to Remember

Bell Ringer Think of things that you do that does NOT require memory. What are some things you do that require memory?

Objectives Explain the three processes of learning. Describe the information-processing model of memory.

What is memory? The ability to retain information that varies in accuracy, subject to error and bias Processes include… Encoding: mental representations Admiral Nelson Storage: place info. in a relatively permanent storage Thumb drive Retrieval: recalling information Sequence of actions

Sensory Memory Holds information in raw form Iconic Memory: holds onto visual information Echoic Memory: holds onto auditory information Allows for stability, playback and recognition Processing information Parallel Effortful Automatic

Examples of Sensory Memory

Short Term Memory Working memory that can hold information for 2 to 30 seconds Maintenance Rehearsal Rehearsing information Interference Pushing out information Chunking Combining separate items into large units Working Memory Represents an active process

The Primacy-Recency Effect Also known as serial position effect Easily recall the first few Items (primacy) Recall the last few items (recency) Middle: less rehearsal, more interference

Long Term Memory Storing unlimited information for a long time Declarative Memory Memories for facts or events (stories, conversations, faces) Semantic Memory: knowledge of facts, concepts Episodic Memory: knowledge of events, experiences Procedural Memory Memories for motor skills

Long Term Memory

How do capacities differ? Sensory memory Capacity: virtually everything you see or hear Duration: fraction of a second Example: seeing something for a second then being asked to recall one detail Short-term memory Capacity: about 7 items in healthy adults Duration: less than 20 seconds if not rehearsed Example: telephone number Long-term memory Capacity: uncountable Duration: a lifetime Example: remembering the house you lived in as a child

Endless Memory – Part 1 From this video, watch how ordinary individuals use their superior memory skills to remember nearly everything they have encountered.

Review What are the three processes to memory? How does iconic memory differ from echoic memory? Why is short term memory often referred to as working memory? Explain the primacy-recency effect.

Assignment Complete the list of memories along with the matching activity on the back. Bring in an item from your childhood for an activity at the beginning of class tomorrow.

Memory and Thought The Processes of Memory Memory and the Brain Forgetting and Ways to Remember

Bell Ringer Grocery Store Game Each student will say the following: I went to the grocery store and I bought ____________. Each student that follows will say the item the person before them bought, then say what they will buy. For example: Person 1 – “I went to the grocery store and I bought strawberries.” Person 2 – “I went to the grocery store and I bought strawberries and carrots.” Person 3 – “I went to the grocery store and I bought strawberries, carrots, and bread.”

Objectives Describe how we are capable of retrieving information from our brain. Analyze the influence that processes have on our ability to recall information.

Memory and the Brain Short and long term stored in the cerebral cortex Emotional memories = amygdala Transferring memories = hippocampus If damaged… Only procedural memory can be remembered

Which is the right penny?

Retrieving Information Recognition Identify an object that we have not experienced Recall Reconstruct previously learned material Reconstructive Processes – altering/simplifying information Confabulation – filling in memory gaps Schemas – expectations State-Dependent Learning – recall information in same physiological state Mood Congruent

Forgetting Inability to retrieve, recall, recognize Interference Proactive – old info blocks new info Retroactive – new info disrupts retrieval of old info Repression hide traumatic information Retrieval Cues Creating associations Amnesia Retrograde: unable to recall events before onset Anterograde: unable to recall events after onset

Review Where are our memories stored? How are we capable of retrieving information from our brain? What influences how we might forget our memories?

Forgetting and Ways to Remember Memory and Thought The Processes of Memory Memory and the Brain Forgetting and Ways to Remember

Bell Ringer – High School Show and Tell You will first ONLY share the item. During this time the rest of the class will list a few memories they can time to that item. Once your classmates are done writing you will explain the memory you have attached to your item. Then the rest of the class will comment on what they wrote down.

Objectives Identify factors that interfere with memory. Describe mnemonic techniques for improving memory. Apply mnemonic techniques to learning situations.

Forgetting Déjà vu? Flashbulb Memory Vivid recollections of emotionally charged incidents Subject to inaccuracies, change with retelling Why do we forget??? Encoding State-Dependent Learning Tip of the Tongue Phenomenon Inadequate retrieval cues Déjà vu?

Forgetting Photographic Memory Forming detailed images and recalling the images later Eidetic imagery: ability for a child to hold onto detailed image of material

Forgetting Repressed Memory Pushing back memories that had some threatening event How does a therapist know? Is it possible to implant false memories? How? How do you remember best?: U.S. versus Africa

Eyewitness Testimony Scenario... Role of proactive/retroactive interference Single most important source of evidence used to falsely convict people of crimes Source misattribution Difficulty deciding where the source came from

Improving Memory Mnemonics Improve encoding by making associations Method of Loci Creating visual associations Peg Method Creating associations between number-word rhymes Elaborative Rehearsal Link to what you know