Retrieval

Types of Retrieval The process of getting information out of memory storage Relearning – Takes less time to relearn something you’ve already studied/learned before. Recall—test of LTM that involves retrieving memories without cues, also termed free recall – Cued recall—test of LTM that involves remembering an item of information in response to a retrieval cue Recognition—test of LTM that involves identifying correct information from a series of possible choices. Serial position effect—tendency to remember items at the beginning and end of a list better than items in the middle. – Primacy – beginning of list – Recency – end of the list

Name the Seven Dwarves Take out a piece of paper

Recall A measure of memory in which the person must retrieve information learned earlier Example: Essay, fill-in-the-blank, and short answer test questions test recall Recall Tests will do THIS to your head.THIS

Recognition A measure of memory in which a person must identify items learned earlier Example: Multiple choice and matching test questions test recognition

Now pick out the seven dwarves. Turn your paper over. Grouchy Gabby Fearful Sleepy Smiley Jumpy Hopeful Shy Droopy Dopey Sniffy Wishful Puffy Dumpy Sneezy Pop Grumpy Bashful Cheerful Teach Snorty Nifty Happy Doc Wheezy Stubby Poopy

Seven Dwarves Sleepy, Dopey, Grumpy, Sneezy, Happy, Doc and Bashful

Recall vs. Recognition tests Importance of retrieval cues evident in recall vs. recognition tests Recall tests - must retrieve info learned earlier. Two step process: 1) generate a mental list, 2) recognize the answer from the list. – Examples: Fill-in-the-blank test; essay exams Recognition tests - only need to identify the correct answer. 1 step process: 1) recognize answer from the list. List was already generated for you. – Example: Multiple choice tests

Priming Memoryless Memory Priming is influence of one memory on another without your awareness A type of implicit memory because it does not depend on awareness and is automatic View this example from Derren Brown – with his ad agency video – 8 minDerren Brown – with his ad agency video – 8 min

Perceptual Priming Prime enhances ability to identify a test stimulus based on its physical features By showing you one thing, I can influence how you’ll see or perceive another. Does not work across sense modalities Here is a demonstration

Perceptual Priming Can you identify the fragmented stimulus to the right?

Perceptual Priming What if you were shown the following slide earlier in the lecture?

Retrieval: Context Effects

Retrieval Cue Retrieval Cue – a clue, prompt, or hint that can trigger the recall of a stored memory 3 Associations Demo Memories only appear to be forgotten. You are only lacking the right retrieval cue.

Which retrieval cues work best? Encoding Specificity – When conditions of retrieval are similar to original conditions of encoding, retrieval is more likely to be successful Encoding Specificity Types Context effects—environmental cues to recall State dependent retrieval—physical, internal factors Mood Congruence—factors related to mood or emotions

Which retrieval cues work best? Context-dependent memory - enhanced ability to retrieve information when you are in an environment similar to the one in which you encoded the information – Better recall if tested in classroom where you initially learned info than if moved to a new classroom – If learning room smells of chocolate or mothballs, people will recall more info if tested in room with the same smell compared to different smell or no smell at all

Retrieval uses your Senses! fMRI shows that when people memorized the label “dog” with the sound of a bark the auditory cortex activated when they retrieved it. Those memorized the label “dog” to a picture activated their visual cortex when they retrieved it. Retrieving a memory reactivates the sensory area of the cortex that was involved in the initial perception of the event.

State-Dependent Memory The enhanced ability to retrieve information when the person is in the same physical and emotional state they were in when they encoded the information If you are in an altered state of consciousness you will be more likely to remember things you learned or did when in that state again.

State Dependent Memory (Drug Induced State) Drunk doing something Recall better if drunk Than if sober

Mood Congruence Type of State Dependent Memory Mood Congruence – Mood tends to evoke memories of when you were in that same mood. Positive mood will likely cause you to remember other times you were positive.

Mood Congruence effects – Bipolar depressives Info learned in manic state, recall more if testing done during manic state Info learned in depressed state, recall more if testing done during depressed state

Semantic Network Model Mental links between concepts – common properties provide basis for mental link Shorter path between two concepts = stronger association in memory Activating one concept can spread and activate other associations. Think of our Spaghetti Demo in class to demonstrate this.

Semantic Network Model See example at Human Cloud BrainHuman Cloud Brain Red Fire House Cherry Apple Rose Pear Ambulance Fire Engine Truck Bus Car Flower Violet Hot Pot Stove Pan Pie