Memory

The mental processes that enable us to retain and use information over time. –Your memory is your mind’s storehouse, the reservoir of your accumulated learning

Memory Memory involves three fundametnal processes: 1.Encoding 2.Storage 3.Retrieval

What do you think? Talk to the person sitting next to you What do you think each of the three means in terms of memory Check to see if you were correct

Memory – Info Processing Encoding – the processing transforming information into a form that can be entered and retained by the memory system Putting the memory into your brain

Memory – Info Processing Storage – The process of retaining information so that it may used at a later time. Holding the memory so that it can used

Memory – Info Processing Retrieval – The process of recovering information stored in memory so we are continously aware of it. Using the memory

Memory – Information Processing Building a memory is a process of getting information into the brain (encoding), retaining the information (storage), and then being able to get the information back out again (retrieval).

Sensory Information Every second all potential memories What do you pay attention to I.e. – walking down the hall – who do you remember? Why? Cocktail party effect

Put your pencils down There will be a list of sentences Try to remember them

The noisy fan blew the papers off the table

The green frog jumped into the swimming pool

The silly snake slithered down a steep sliding board

The crafty surgeon won the daily double

The skiing trumpeter started a gigantic avalanche

The plump chef liked to jump rope

The captured crook liked to do difficult crossword puzzles

The small child sat under the lilac bush

The medieval minstrel strolled along the babbling brook

The distressed teacher ate a wormy apple

Encoding Encoding is the processing of transforming information into the memory system (repeat) the first step of building a memory is sensory input

Sensory memory Sensory (input) memory is the stage of memory that registers information from the environment and holds it for a very brief period of time

Encoding – Two practices that may help to encode sensory information include rehearsal and spacing

Encoding – Rehearsal – the conscious repetition of information

Encoding – Spacing Effect – rehearsing information repeatedly, over time. Spaced studying beats cramming. Rehearse a bit, take a break, begin rehearsing as you start forgetting things, take a break, rehearse again as you begin to forget, etc.

Encoding – How can we best encode all of this information, and send it to memory?

Types of Encoding Semantic Encoding – the encoding of meanings, especially of words Acoustic Encoding – the encoding of sounds Visual (Mental) Encoding – the encoding of picture images

Encoding – Mental Imagery A mental picture of Lady Macbeth. While reading John Grisham’s “The Firm”, you picture Tom Cruise as the main character.

Encoding – Mental Imagery When encoding a list of words, apply a mental picture to each word. IE. Typewriter, fire, cigarette, scary.

Encoding – Mental Imagery Example Grocery List A through J Make a list of thing you the grocery store starting with A, B, C – J Directions follow

Auditory Encoding - Sounds auditory encoding enhances the processing of information by applying rhyme schemes, stories, songs, etc. to the information.

Auditory Encoding - Sounds Trying to remember the concept that alcohol lowers inhibitions and encourages socialization?…..”What sobriety conceals, alcohol reveals”. “If the glove doesn’t fit, you must acquit,” is easily remembered by jurors when a lawyer is fighting for his client’s innocence.

Encoding – A uditory Encoding 30 Days past September, April, June and November. All the rest have 31, except February. In fourteen hundred and ninety-two Columbus sailed the Ocean Blue. "i" before "e," except after "c," or in sounding like "ay" as in "neighbor" or "weigh."

Auditory Encoding Activity here

Encoding – A uditory Encoding - The usual rhyming scheme for memorizing the numbers from 1-10, especially for younger children: One - Bun Two - Shoe Three - Tree Four - floor Five - Hive Six - Bricks Seven - Heaven Eight - Gate Nine - Line Ten - Hen

Encoding – More Strategies (Mnemonics) Chunking – Organizing items into familiar, manageable units Acronyms – Organizing items by creating words or sentences from the first letters of the words or information to be remembered

Encoding –Chunking Who’s coming to the party? Sally, Dave, Sean, Barry, Cindy, Melissa, Rebecca, Tim…… –How to make it easier? Make the list alphabetical. Group the names by gender. Barry, Cindy, Dave, etc. Sally, Rebecca, etc…..Dave, Barry, etc.

Chunking Numbers Put your pencil down Remember the numbers I saw verbally

Encoding –Chunking Encode these 16 numbers? –1,4,9,2,1,7,7,6,1,8,1,2,1,9,4,1 –Much easier if it was 1492, 1776, 1812, 1941

Encoding –Chunking Encode these random words? –nickels seven any in stitch don’t saves ago a score time and nine wooden four years take –Much easier to remember them as: Don’t take any wooden nickels Four score and seven years ago A stitch in time saves nine

Encoding –Acronyms Need to learn the names of North America’s five “Great Lakes”? –HOMES – Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior

Encoding – Effortful Processing Acronyms National Basketball Association – NBA Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus – SCUBA

Encoding – Effortful Processing Acronyms Can’t remember how to spell Arithmetic? –A Rat In Toms House Might Eat Toms Ice Cream

Encoding –Acronyms How does a doctor diagnose Depression? DEAD SWAMP: Depressed mood most of the day Energy loss or fatigue Anhedonia Death thoughts (recurrent), suicidal ideation or attempts Sleep disturbances (insomnia, hypersomnia) Worthlessness or excessive guilt Appetite or weight change Mentation decreased (ability to think or concentrate, indecisiveness) Psychomotor agitation or retardation

Encoding – Auditory –My Dear Aunt Sally - mathematical order of operations: Multiply and Divide before you Add and Subtract –Never Eat Slimy Worms (North- East – South - West

Encoding with emotions Flashbulb Memories – a clear memory of an emotionally significant moment or event –Where were you when 9/11 occurred, or when Kennedy was shot? –You clearly remember your first hit in Little League, your first kiss, the first day of high school, a funeral, a wedding….. even though the memory may be many years old, you have a clear recollection.