10.2 Retrieving Information

1. 10.2 Retrieving Information Baylis

2. Retrieval • The solution to retrieval is organization • Recognition • Recall • Eidetic Memory Retrieval Process

3. State-Dependent Learning • When you recall info easily when you are in the same physiological or emo state. • Ex: Study for a test in the same room where you will take it (cue)

4. Relearning • Learn the greek alphabet today • 10 years from now, it wont take you as long to be able to say it again. • Why? You benefit from earlier learning

5. Forgetting • A failure of memory • Involves: decay, interference, or repression Decay • Fades away • Happens esp. in sensory storage & short-term

6. Forgetting Interference • A memory can be blocked or erased by previous or subsequent memories • Proactive  an earlier memory blocks Example: you get a new cell #, but you have trouble remembering it b/c you keep thinking of the old one • Retroactive  a later memory (new info) blocks you from remembering old stuff

7. Forgetting & Freud Repression • Blocking can be no accident • Block memories that are embarrassing or frightening, traumatic, etc. • It still exists but is inaccessible

8. Amnesia • Amnesia – loss of memory after a blow to the head or brain damage • Drug use • Severe Psych. Stress Different Types of Amnesia • Infantile – Prior to age 3 • Anterograde – prevents any new memories • Retrograde – prior to the trauma , no mem. Amnesia

9. How do I Improve My Memory? • Techniques are based on: - efficient organization - and chunking info

10. Elaborative Rehearsal • Repeating things over and over helps (Maintenance Rehearsal) BUT… • Relating new info to something you already know (Elaborative Rehearsal) is better! • More meaningful  easier to remember

11. Example: Elaborative Rehearsal • Vocabulary Activity • Word: Confabulation • Definition: the act of filling in memory gaps • My Definition: When I can’t remember something I will make something up in order for my memory to flow better • Rewrite Definition: When one can’t remember a piece of a memory they will make it up • Example in book: When a person “remembers” info that was never stored

12. Association • You remember things more vividly if you associate them w/ things already stored. • The more associations (sensory), the more it can trigger the memory.

13. Tips • Protect a memory from interference: OVERLEARN IT! • Avoid studying similar material (i.e. History & Government) • Space Out your learning (distributed practice) • How you learn something = will affect how you store it (stress not good)

14. Mnemonic Devices • A technique for using associations Method of Loci & Greeks • Associations made by walking by certain locations • “Thirty days has September” • Mental Pictures

15. Examples of Mnemonic Devices • M.A.I.N. – The underlying causes of WWI (Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, and Nationalism) • “I before E except after C” • HOMES – Great Lakes (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, & Superior) • Au is the chemical symbol for Gold. Here’s a sentence to help you remember this fact: A! U! (Hey you!) That’s my gold!  • My Very Educated Mother Just Showed Us Nine Planets • Oftentimes, people crave seconds when it comes to dessert. Notice that dessert contains two s’s, whereas desert contains only one

16. More Examples…Mnemonic Devices • Thirty days hath September • April, June and November. • All the rest have thirty-one, • But February, it is great • And brings to us twenty-eight, • Unless it steps out of line • And brings to us twenty-nine (leap year occurs every four years. The next one occurs in 2016).

17. Extra Credit • Create your own Mnemonic Device to help you study Chapter 10. • Dedicate a whole Left side page to it and get it stamped by Friday!