Memory & Cognition

1. Memory & Cognition

2. Memory • Learning that has persisted over time • Information that can be retrieved

3. 3 Key Processes in Memory

4. How We Remember

5. Encoding • Automatic Processing • Parallel processing • Space (where you lost your backpack) • Time (when you lost your back pack) • Frequency (running into someone multiple times) • Effortful Processing • Rehearsal—conscious repetition • Massed practice • Distributed study

6. What We Encode • Visual—what we see • Acoustic—what we hear • Semantic—what we understand

7. Effectiveness

8. An Example • The procedure Is actually quite simple. First you arrange things into different groups. Of course, one pile may be sufficient depending on how much there is to do…. After the procedure is completed one arranges the materials into different groups again. Then they can be put into their appropriate places. Eventually they will be used once more and the whole cycle will then have to be repeated. However, that is part of life.

9. MoreEncoding Tips • Elaboration—make connections • Visual imagery (harder to remember abstract concepts) • Self-reference effect • Dual encoding is more effective • Mnemonic devices—memory aids • Chunking (ROY G BIV & 708-434-3472) • Hierarchies (Chapters in this book)

10. Atkinson & Shiffrin Model of Memory Storage

11. Storage • Sensory Memory • Iconic—a picture that lasts ¼ of a second • Echoic—an echo that lasts 3-4 seconds • Working/Short-term Memory • 10-20 seconds • 7 + or – 2 (Miller’s Law) • Long-term Memory • Limitless

12. Improving your Memory • http://youtu.be/6vsYCSmBcM0

13. Amazing Memory Feats • http://youtu.be/t2uRuFgZSDc

14. How Do We Store Memories • Synaptic Changes called Long-term Potentiation • An increase in a synapse’s firing potential after brief, rapid stimulation One Receptor Site Multiple Receptor Sites

15. Memory & Emotion • Strong emotion aides in forming memories • Flashbulb memories • Clear memories of significant events • Extreme stress can suppress the creation of new memories and also block existing memories • Giving a presentation when your mind goes blank and then not remembering anything you said during the presentation

16. Types of Long-term Memory • Explicit (Declarative) • I can declare (tell) you what I know • Processed in the hippocampus • Facts & Personally experienced events • E.g.—explaining long-term potentiation • Implicit (Non-declarative or procedural) • No conscious recall—I can show you but I can’t tell you • Processed in other areas of the brain including the cerebellum • Skills & Classical Conditioning • E.g.—exhaling at the sound of the tone

17. Retrieval • Recall • Essay or fill in the blank • Recognition • Matching or multiple choice • Re-learning • Takes less time to re-learn than without prior exposure

18. Moods and Memories • State-dependent memory • Being under the influence of a drug • E.g.—drunk, high, caffeine, etc. • Mood-congruent memory • More good memories when you are happy • More bad memories when you are sad

19. Retrieval Failure—Interference • Proactive (forward acting) interference • Forgetting something new • E.g.—you keep writing 2012 instead of 2013 • Retroactive (backward acting) interference • Forgetting something old • E.g.—you can’t remember your teachers’ names from last year

20. Summary of Memory Repression & Construction • Sexual abuse happens • Injustice happens • Forgetting happens • Recovered memories are commonplace • Memories before age 3 are unreliable • Don’t trust age-regressed memories

21. Improving Memory • Study repeatedly • Make the material meaningful and about you • Activate retrieval cues • Use mnemonic devices • Minimize interference • Sleep more • Quiz yourself frequently