Human Memory

Three Memory Processes Memory = the storage and retrieval of what one has either learned or experienced Memory = the storage and retrieval of what one has either learned or experienced 1. Encoding 2. Storage 3. Retrieval

Encoding Transformation of information so the nervous system can process it Transformation of information so the nervous system can process it Types of codes: Types of codes: 1.Acoustic 2.Visual 3.Semantic

Storage The process by which we remember material acquired over a period of time The process by which we remember material acquired over a period of time

Retrieval The process of obtaining information from storage The process of obtaining information from storage Memory championships- A Russian known only by his first initials— S.S.—could repeat 70 randomly selected numbers in the precise order in which he had just heard them Memory championships- A Russian known only by his first initials— S.S.—could repeat 70 randomly selected numbers in the precise order in which he had just heard them

What is Memory Retrieval? The process of accessing stored information and making it available to our consciousness The process of accessing stored information and making it available to our consciousness Some memories are retrieved easily Some memories are retrieved easily Context-dependent memory effect : Police detectives often take victims back to the scene of a crime to help jog their memories Context-dependent memory effect : Police detectives often take victims back to the scene of a crime to help jog their memories

Memory Stages Sensory memory Sensory memory Short-term memory Short-term memory Long-term memory Long-term memory

Sensory Memory

Sensory Memory (cont.) The storage system that holds memory of sensory impressions is short-lived The storage system that holds memory of sensory impressions is short-lived Sensory register Sensory register Iconic memory, eidetic imagery, echoic memory Iconic memory, eidetic imagery, echoic memory

Short-Term Memory (STM) Allows for the brief retention of newly acquired information, usually for a maximum of 30 seconds Allows for the brief retention of newly acquired information, usually for a maximum of 30 seconds

George Miller’s Study Magic 7 Magic 7 Examples of magic 7 Examples of magic 7 Shakespeare’s seven ages of man (from As You Like It), the seven wonders of the world, the seven deadly sins, and even Snow White’s pals the seven dwarfs Shakespeare’s seven ages of man (from As You Like It), the seven wonders of the world, the seven deadly sins, and even Snow White’s pals the seven dwarfs

Chunking The process of breaking down a large amount of information into smaller chunks The process of breaking down a large amount of information into smaller chunks Chunking makes recall easier Chunking makes recall easier

A Simple Test Row Row Row Row Row Row Row Row Row Row Row Row Row Row

Maintenance Rehearsal A system for remembering which involves repeating information to oneself without looking for any underlying meaning A system for remembering which involves repeating information to oneself without looking for any underlying meaning

The Primacy-Recency Effect Cheese Cheese Milk Milk Eggs Eggs Shampoo Shampoo Bread Bread Catsup Catsup Jam Jam Flour Flour We can best remember or recall information at the beginning and the end of a list We can best remember or recall information at the beginning and the end of a list

Long-Term Memory The storage of information over an extended time The storage of information over an extended time Information in long-term memory is organized by categories or features Information in long-term memory is organized by categories or features

Types of Long-Term Memory Semantic memory Semantic memory Episodic memory Episodic memory Declarative memory Declarative memory Procedural memory Procedural memory

Semantic Memory Knowledge of language, including its rules, words, and meanings Knowledge of language, including its rules, words, and meanings Retaining facts Retaining facts Semantic memory is not imprinted on our brains Semantic memory is not imprinted on our brains

Episodic Memory Memories of one’s own life (also includes the time experiences occurred) Memories of one’s own life (also includes the time experiences occurred) Like a personal diary Like a personal diary

Declarative Memory Holds knowledge that can be called forth consciously as needed Holds knowledge that can be called forth consciously as needed “What” and “that” “What” and “that” For example,we remember “what” street we live on, and we know “that” two plus two equals four. For example,we remember “what” street we live on, and we know “that” two plus two equals four.

Procedural Memory Memory of learned skills that do not require conscious recollection Memory of learned skills that do not require conscious recollection We gradually lose the ability to describe what we are doing when we perform these skills We gradually lose the ability to describe what we are doing when we perform these skills

Retrospective vs. Prospective Memory Retrospective memory: past experience or events and previously acquired information Retrospective memory: past experience or events and previously acquired information Prospective memory: things you need to do in the future Prospective memory: things you need to do in the future

Muscle Memory Relying on muscles to perform complex motor skills such as riding a bike, dancing, typing, hitting a baseball Relying on muscles to perform complex motor skills such as riding a bike, dancing, typing, hitting a baseball

Flashbulb Memories What were you doing when…? What were you doing when…? Usually involves stressful or emotionally arousing personal or historical events Usually involves stressful or emotionally arousing personal or historical events the 9/11 attack the 9/11 attack

Flashbulb Memories (cont.) Anderson & Conway (1997) coined the term “flashbulb memory” Anderson & Conway (1997) coined the term “flashbulb memory” Permanently seared into the brain Permanently seared into the brain

Eyewitness Testimony Memory does not always work like a camera that records and retrieves snapshots of events Memory does not always work like a camera that records and retrieves snapshots of events Eyewitness testimony can be flawed Eyewitness testimony can be flawed Misinformation effect Misinformation effect

Schemas Conceptual frameworks that a person uses to make sense of the world Conceptual frameworks that a person uses to make sense of the world Sets of expectations Sets of expectations A portrait of Frank J. Huttle, a WWII Air Corps pilot. His bravery and sacrifice represent elements of popular schemas many of us have about pilots A portrait of Frank J. Huttle, a WWII Air Corps pilot. His bravery and sacrifice represent elements of popular schemas many of us have about pilots

Schema Violation

Memory and the Brain How and where are memories stored in the brain? How and where are memories stored in the brain? The striatum (deep in the frontal cortex) The striatum (deep in the frontal cortex) The hippocampus and the amygdala The hippocampus and the amygdala

The Biological Basis for Memory The human brain has billions of neurons and trillions of synapses The human brain has billions of neurons and trillions of synapses How to track down specific networks of cells where memories are stored How to track down specific networks of cells where memories are stored Aplysia- large sea snail that possesses only 20,000 neurons Aplysia- large sea snail that possesses only 20,000 neurons

Erik Kandel A molecular biologist/Nobel Prize winner A molecular biologist/Nobel Prize winner Experiments with sea snails Experiments with sea snails Neurotransmitter released into synapse Neurotransmitter released into synapse Kandel observed that the amount of neurotransmitters released into the synapses between the nerve cells that controlled the withdrawal reflex increased as the snails learned the conditioned response. He thus proved that memory formation involves biochemical changes that occur at the synaptic level Kandel observed that the amount of neurotransmitters released into the synapses between the nerve cells that controlled the withdrawal reflex increased as the snails learned the conditioned response. He thus proved that memory formation involves biochemical changes that occur at the synaptic level

Retrieval and Recognition Exercise Look at the picture and name this dwarf from Walt Disney’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” Look at the picture and name this dwarf from Walt Disney’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” Write down or make a list of as many of the seven dwarfs that you can remember Write down or make a list of as many of the seven dwarfs that you can remember

Seven Dwarfs The following list includes the names of all seven dwarfs. Which ones are correct? The following list includes the names of all seven dwarfs. Which ones are correct? Tubby, Grouchy, Gabby, Fearful, Sleepy, Smiley, Jumpy, Hopeful, Shy, Droopy, Dopey, Sniffy, Wishful, Puffy, Dumpy, Sneezy, Lazy, Pop, Grumpy, Bashful, Cheerful, Shorty, Nifty, Happy, Doc, Wheezy Tubby, Grouchy, Gabby, Fearful, Sleepy, Smiley, Jumpy, Hopeful, Shy, Droopy, Dopey, Sniffy, Wishful, Puffy, Dumpy, Sneezy, Lazy, Pop, Grumpy, Bashful, Cheerful, Shorty, Nifty, Happy, Doc, Wheezy

Forgetting Decay Decay Memory loss Memory loss Interference Interference

Amnesia Often caused by a traumatic injury to the brain, such as a concussion Often caused by a traumatic injury to the brain, such as a concussion Retrograde amnesia Retrograde amnesia Anterograde amnesia Anterograde amnesia

Retrograde Amnesia

Childhood Amnesia A normal phase of development that accounts for the lack of memory before the ages of 3 or 4 A normal phase of development that accounts for the lack of memory before the ages of 3 or 4 Dissociative amnesia- often results from stress. Dissociative amnesia- often results from stress.