1. Forgetting

2. Seven Sins of Memory (Schacter, 1999)
3 sins of forgetting
Absent-mindedness (encoding failure)
inattention = encoding failure
Transience (storage decay)
use it or lose it
Blocking (retrieval failure)
can’t get it out

3. Seven Sins of Memory (Schacter, 1999)
3 sins of distortion
Misattribution (source amnesia)
Confusing the source of information
Suggestibility
Misinformation/leading questions = false memories
Bias
Memories influenced by our emotions or motivations
Sin of intrusion
Persistence
Unwanted memories

4. Forgetting Sin #1: Encoding failure
Selective attention leads to encoding failure
If we don’t rehearse well enough information never makes it into our long- term
Selecting information is necessary to normal functioning
What doesn’t make it to long-term memory cannot be recalled (and is forgotten)

5. Forgetting Sin #2: Storage Decay
Ebbinghaus (1885) demonstrated the exponential decay of information
Forgetting curve shows the rapid loss in the beginning
Forgetting slows over time
Eventually stored information stabilizes and stays relatively permanent (Bahrick, 1984)
Neural pathways (memory trace) fades

6. Forgetting Sin #3: Retrieval Failure
Interference
Information gets in the way of getting stored information out
Proactive interference – old gets in the way of new
Pro = old blocks new
Difficult for old dog to learn new tricks
Retroactive interference – new information gets in the way of old information
Retro = new blocks old
New math skill blocks old skill (especially when it’s easier)
Interference is most likely when information is competing

7. Forgetting Sin #3: Retrieval Failure
Positive transference
When old actually helps store new
Similar types of info can create multiple attachments
Also can use existing pathways
Motivated forgetting
We censor information and forget or change information to meet our needs
Repressed memories (Freud)

8. Memory Construction
Memories include elements of truth and our own embellishments
Misinformation influences our memory construction
Imagination leads us to believe that something actually happens that did not
False memories happen because of misinformation & imagination

9. Memory Construction Source amnesia Mix up events and combine memories
First impressions influence our memories
Leading questions can lead to false memories
Check page 388 for information on child abuse and memories