1. Human Memory
Introduction

2. Which one is the US penny?

3. Basic Memory Questions
1.) How does info get into memory?
2.) How is information maintained in memory?
3.) How is information pulled out of memory?
3 Key processes:
1.) Encoding – Forming a memory code
2.) Storage- Involves maintaining encoded information in memory over time
3.) Retrieval – Involves recovering information from memory stores.

4. Encoding- Getting info into memory
Role of attention – Generally need to pay attention to something to remember it
Ex.)
Attention – Focusing awareness on a narrowed range of stimuli or events
We can’t divide attention equally among all stimuli

5. Encoding- Getting info into memory
Divided Attention – Problems with encoding can occur when we try to attend to more than one item
Class Demo
Cell Phone Example

6. Encoding- Getting info into memory
Levels of Processing Theory – The deeper we process information, the longer lasting a memory code will be
Demonstration

7. Levels of processing demo
a.) Structural encoding – shallow processing; only focus on word structure
b.) Phonemic encoding- slightly deeper processing; focus on what a word sounds like
c.) Semantic encoding – Deepest form of processing; emphasize meaning of word
Which should be remembered best?

8. Encoding- Getting info into memory
Methods to help encode information
1.) Elaboration – Link items to other information at time of encoding
Examples
2.) Visual Imagery – Creation of visual images to represent words trying to remember can enrich encoding
Ex.)
Problems with this method?

9. Storage- Maintaining info in memory
Memory divided into three separate stores:
1.) Sensory Memory
2.) Short Term Memory (STM)
3.) Long Term Memory (LTM)

10. Storage- Maintaining info in memory
1.) Sensory Memory – We perceive information in original sensory form for a brief time.
Memories last a fraction of a second
Light Demonstration

11. Storage- Maintaining info in memory
2.) Short Term Memory- Limited capacity store that can maintain unrehearsed information for about 20 seconds.
Example:
How do we hold information in short term memory longer?
Rehearsal – process of repeatedly verbalizing or thinking about information

12. Storage- Maintaining info in memory
Capacity of Short Term Memory
We can only hold a limited number of items in short term memory
Demonstration
STM holds 7+ 2 items

13. Storage- Maintaining info in memory
3.) Long Term Memory- Unlimited capacity store that can hold information over lengthy periods of time

14. How is knowledge organized in memory?
Schemas- Organized cluster of knowledge about a particular object or event abstracted from previous experience
In other words, we have expectations for things
Examples

16. How is knowledge organized in memory?
Semantic Networks- Our memories consist of nodes linking related concepts together
Spreading activation – if we activate one node or item, it links to related one (activating them)

19. Retrieval- Getting info out of memory
Humans are often unable to retrieve everything from long term memory
Examples
Tip of the Tongue Phenomenon – Temporary inability to remember something you know accompanied by the feeling that it is out of reach
Demonstration

20. Retrieval- Getting info out of memory
Ways to help ourselves retrieve information:
1.) Try to think of related items (hints) to jog memory
2.) Reinstate context
Examples