Memory

1. Memory

2. Memory • A cognitive process • Process of encoding, storage and retrieval Theories of Memory Theory of general memory function 3 distinct processes Encoding Storage Retrieval

3. Information Processing Theory Atkinson & Shiffrin (1968) • Sensory input from the environment • held for a brief time period- a few seconds • Involves the senses • Short Term Memory-holds information for 20-30 seconds • attention is focused, repeated over & over • linked with other information

4. Information that is not processed in STM is lost forever • Information in LTM is organized into categories, where they reside for longer time periods • Remembering information, it is retrieved from LTM

5. Sensory Register- The information held in the sensory channels • The information is lost after being briefly stored • Attended information moves to STM • Visual Sensory Register- 1 sec • Auditory Sensory Register- 4 to 5 sec • Visual sensory register-stores 11 to 16 items in the form of Iconic Image

6. Short term Memory- Stores information for 30 seconds • Primacy effect • Recency effect • If delay in recall is filled with mental activity will lead to elimination of recency • Limited storage capacity of about 7 items plus/minus 2 • Chunking “process used to remember more items

7. Rehearsal- Process shifts information from STM to LTM • Consists of keeping items of information in the centre of attention • Amount of rehearsal important • Mere repetition not adequate • Elaborative rehearsal an active process

8. Long term Memory- Lasts days/months-no known limit in storage capacity • Inability to remember is a problem with recall • Semantic information-words & their connections • Episodic- incidences in life

9. Long Term Memory • Encoding- Process of receiving sensory input and transforming it into a form or code in which it can be stored • Storage- Involves putting coded information into memory • Retrieval- Gaining access to stored, coded information when required

10. Levels Processing Theory • Memory in terms of discrete stages each with its own characteristics • Info. Is transferred from stage to stage until it is finally lodged in long term memory • Elaboration added to the levels of processing • Incoming info can be worked on at different levels of analysis • Deeper the analysis better the memory

11. 1st Level- perception of the immediate environment • Deeper level is structural features are analyzed • Deepest lever meaning is analyzed; this gives the best memory • Daily routine happenings not deeply processed • Rehearsal plays an imp role • Maintenance rehearsal and Elaborative rehearsal

12. Long Term Memory • Basic cognitive process • Organizes, categorizes and classifies info. • Tip of the Tongue Phenomenon - Sounded like the target word - Started with the same letter - Contained the same no. of syllables - Had a meaning similar to the target word

13. Semantic Memory What words mean, the way they relate to each other and rules for using them in communication and thinking Logical Hierarchies- general to specific • Episodic Memory • Consists of memories of specific things that happen to one at a specific time or place • No logical organization and does not lead to being inferences • Easier to forget Both can be related

14. Forgetting • Failure to encode • Decay of Memory Trace • Interference Proactive Retroactive Study French Spanish Test Spanish Study French Spanish Test French Time

15. Reason for Inaccuracy • Interference- Learning new things interferes with our memory of what we learned earlier & prior learning interferes with our memory of things learned later. • Retroactive • Proactive Interferences disrupt various kinds of associations between stimuli and responses during learning.

16. Retrieval Problems • Absence of appropriate retrieval cues • Remember sought for information much after giving up. • Motivated Forgetting Eg. Repression tendency of people to have difficulty in retrieving anxiety- provoking or threatening information, or related information from LTM.

17. Retrieval from Long Term Memory • Retrieval cues- Information from the Long Term Memory store is aided by retrieval cues. • Elaborate encoding provides rich retrieval cues • Subjective Organization provides own individual cues it the time of learning • State Dependent Memory- Situational influences that affect retrieval from Long Term Memory

18. Reconstructive Process in Retrieval • Modifications of already stored input • Distinction between constructive and reconstructive processes is blurred • “Confabulation” case where people with memory disorder try to fill memory gaps during retrieval.

19. Forgetting Loss of information already encoded and stored in Long Term Memory • “Forgotten” information may never have been encoded & stored • Not reached STM from the sensory register • Or inadequate coding doesn’t move from STM to LTM • Absence of elaboration rehearsal

20. Amnesia- Memory loss that occurs without other mental difficulties. • Retrograde- Memory is lost for occurrences prior to a certain event. • lost memories gradually appear • Though full restoration can take years • Anterograde- Injuries cause transfer from STM to LTM affected.

21. Psychological Amnesia • Childhood Amnesia • Freud provides repression of guilt provoking sexual & aggressive urges • Schachtel- absence of language non verbal • Brain is still developing • Dream Amnesia • Symbol systems used in dreaming and waking • Defensive Amnesia- • Attempt to protect oneself from guilt and anxiety that leads to intolerable life situations

22. Senile Dementia- Deficits in many intellectual abilities- memory, attention, judgment • Personality changes • Delusions • Largely anterograde • Provide retrieval cues • Alzheimer’s Disease- • Severe memory problems • Starts as simple forgetfulness • Memory loss more profound • Even simple tasks forgotten • Deterioration gradually includes loss of abilities to speak or comprehend language • Physical deterioration leads to death

23. The Method of Loci • Memory pegs are parts of your image of a scene. • Rehearse the image • Make as many associations with parts of the “room” or aspects of the image. Number of letter pegs- distinctive images of words that start with the sounds of first alphabet.

24. Mnemonics- Techniques that rely on linking, or association of to-be-remembered material with a systematic and organized set of images or words, already establishes in LTM. -This works as reminder cues. HOMES Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie & Superior Stories , Remembering Names and Faces, Chunking

25. Flashbulb Memory Memories of a specific, important, or surprising event that are so vivid, they are like a snapshot of the event. • Do not contain every detail of an original scene. • Distinctive stimulus retrieved easily.

26. Long Term Modules Made up of several memory modules Declarative Memory- factual information, names, faces and dates etc Procedural Memory- memory for skills and habits Declarative- Semantic episodic

27. Verbal-speech, words & numbers Visual-visual & spatial information Maintains information in an active state so that we can do something with the information Eg. Doing a multi step arithmetic problem

28. Working Memory An active “work space” in which information is retrieved and manipulated and in which information is held through rehearsal. • Central executive processor- involved in reasoning & decision making. • Coordinates two distinctive storage- and- rehearsal systems visual and verbalstores.