1. Long-Term Memory Dr. Claudia J. Stanny EXP 4507 Memory & Cognition
Spring 2009
EXP 4507 Memory & Cognition

2. Overview Types of Long Term Memory
Relation between encoding and retrieval
Encoding processes and their consequences
Retrieval strategies
Autobiographical memory
Claudia J. Stanny

3. Long Term Memory: Ebbinghaus (1885) Long-term Retention Functions
Claudia J. Stanny

4. Types of Long Term Memory
Claudia J. Stanny

5. Distinctive Characteristics of LTM
Organization of information
Schemas
Capacity
Duration
Bahrick: permastore
Encoding – impact on retention
Retrieval mechanisms
Forgetting: availability versus accessablity
Claudia J. Stanny

6. Encoding Strategies: Levels of Processing
Craik & Lockhart (1972)
Orienting tasks assigned at study to induce different levels of processing
Shallow processing (physical features of stimuli)
Does the word contain an E or a G?
Is the word presented in capital or lower case letters?
Intermediate processing
Write down a word that begins with the same sound.
Deep processing (semantic encoding)
Rate words on your perception of their PLEASANTNESS
(1 = UNPLEASANT = PLEASANT)
Claudia J. Stanny

7. Recognition performance for words processed at different levels
Data from EXP 3082 (2002)
Claudia J. Stanny

8. Variations on Deep Processing
What kinds of processing “count” as deep processing?
Distinctive encoding
Encoding differs or makes a stimulus stand out
Isolation effects; unique encodings
Elaborate encoding
Create a code that includes multiple aspects
Complex codes; many connections to other representations
Claudia J. Stanny

9. Self-Reference Effect
Processing task: Does this word relate to you? Recognition performance is as good as for a semantic processing task Biggest improvement seen when participants think the word does apply to them (46%) than when it does not (34%)
Claudia J. Stanny

10. Generation Effect Slamecka & Graf (1978)
What is the effect of processing depth when you generate the code yourself versus when you have the coding given to you?
Read Condition
Shallow: SAVE – CAVE
Deep: SEA – OCEAN
Generate Condition
Shallow: SAVE – C____ (rhyme) CAVE
Deep: SEA – O_____ (synonym) OCEAN
Claudia J. Stanny

11. Encoding Specificity
Match between cues encoded at study and cues available during retrieval
Claudia J. Stanny

12. Emotion, Mood and Memory
Pollyanna Principle Rate of forgetting for pleasant & unpleasant events Mood-dependent congruence Mood-dependent memory (encoding specificity)
Claudia J. Stanny

13. Retrieval from LTM Types of Retention Tasks Explicit Memory Tasks
Aware that memory is being used/tested
Subjective experience of intentional use of memory
Implicit Memory Tasks
Task is perceived as a problem-solving task or other cognitive challenge
Claudia J. Stanny

14. Comparing Memory Tasks
Explicit Memory Tasks
Implicit Memory Tasks
Recall Cued recall Recognition tests yes/no recognition multiple choice tests
Word completion task V__L__A__E Word stem completion task OC __ __ __ Repetition priming (RT tasks) Lexical decision task Anagram solving LVGEALI → _______
Claudia J. Stanny

15. Evidence for different types of LTM
Dissociation of performance on explicit and implicit memory tasks
Variables improve performance on explicit memory but do not influence implicit memory performance
Depth of processing
Variables improve implicit memory performance but do not influence explicit memory
Benefits of number of repetitions
Note: some variables have the same effect on both types of task (proactive interference)
Claudia J. Stanny

16. Effect of LOP on performance on an implicit and an explicit memory task
Shallow processing task
Does the word have a B or a P?
Deep processing task
Rate the word on its pleasantness (1 – 7)
Implicit memory test
Anagram task
Explicit memory test
Free recall
Data: EXP 4507L Spring 2006
Claudia J. Stanny

17. Amnesia
Differences in performance by amnesiacs on implicit and explicit memory tasks
Claudia J. Stanny

18. How do experts differ from novices?
Amount of knowledge in area of expertise
Quality of organization of information in LTM
More efficient encoding of new information
More successful retrieval of information
Differences in cognitive strategies used
Chunking and organization of new material
Identifying distinctive characteristics of stimuli
Procedures used to solve problems
Better metacognition about processing
Judgments about task difficulty
Monitoring progress on a problem
Claudia J. Stanny

19. Expertise is Context-Specific
Expertise emerges from extensive deliberate practice in a particular domain
10 years of deliberate practice required (Ericsson, 2003)
Expertise in one domain does not make one an expert in every domain
Superior memory performance in one area of expertise does not generalize to superior memory performance in general
Problem identification and efficient solution is also domain-specific
Claudia J. Stanny

20. Autobiographical Memory
Special case of episodic memory
Memory for events of our personal life
Interaction with semantic memory:
Role of schemas in autobiographical recall
Consistency bias
Source monitoring
Identifying the origin of a memory or belief
Claudia J. Stanny

21. Recall of autobiographical memories across the life span (Rubin, 1997)
Reminiscence Bump
Forgetting Function
Infantile Amnesia
Claudia J. Stanny

22. Flashbulb Memories Highly detailed episodic memories of an event
Contain many autobiographical details
Source information for the news of the event
Detailed contextual information
Where you were, what you were doing, who you talked to, what your emotional response was, etc.
Are flashbulb memories special?
Do they include errors seen in other memories?
Are they subject to forgetting like other memories?
Claudia J. Stanny

23. Eyewitness Memory Estimator Variables System Variables
Characteristics of the witness or witnessed event known to have an influence on accuracy of witness recollections
System Variables
Characteristics of the legal / investigative process known to have an influence on accuracy of witness recollections
Variables that produce memory distortions
Misleading questioning
Post-Information effects
Claudia J. Stanny

24. Factors that influence the accuracy of eyewitness memory
Delays between the event and recall
Intrusions related to misinformation
Reconstructive nature of memory
Schema-based intrusions
Social pressure
Demand characteristics of questioning the encourage production of more information or a specific answer
Positive feedback following identifications during lineups increases confidence without increasing accuracy
Claudia J. Stanny