Memory

MEMORY

Flashbulb Memories- Significant events that make it into long term memory because they are surprising or emotional.

Information Processing- Our mind processes information similar to a computer
Steps
-Encoding- getting the information into memory
-Storing- retaining the information
-Retrieving- using the information at a later date

Sensory Memory
-when data from the stimuli reaches the senses and is retained for a brief moment
-Sperling (1960) demonstrated that our senses do retain the information, but only for a short amount of time before forgetting it or passing it on to memory
-experiments showed subjects 3 rows of letters and flashed them for a brief portion of a second
-when asked to recall them immediately after the subjects were able to, but not after a short amount of time had passed

Different Types of Sensory Memory

Iconic Memory- sensory storage memory obtained through vision
Echoic Memory- sensory storage memory obtained through hearing
-echoic seems to be more effective, iconic seems to decay faster
-we remember a conversation more than a scene

Encoding-getting the information into memory
-can happen automatically or with effort
-the best way to commit something to memory is to rehearse it
-ex. Ebbinghaus (1890s) memorized nonsense syllables, proves the benefit of over-leaning

Spacing Effect-when rehearsal is spaced over time, you retain the information better
ex. studying for a test over time is more effective than cramming
Serial Position Effect- we tend to remember the first and last things on a list when asked to recall immediately afterwards, and when asked to recall later we tend to only remember the first things
Short-Term Memory (working memory)- what is in your thoughts right now
-the average person can retain up to 7 things at a time

Chunking- putting information into groups or chunks in order to hold more information
Hierarchies- putting the groups/ chunks into categories helps hold more information

How far memory can be taken
-Rajan Mahadeuan
-memorized 100,000 digits of Pi

Forgetting
repression- defense mechanism of Freud's that states that we subconsciously forget traumatic/stressful events
amnesia- memory loss as a result of brain trauma
retrieval failure- can't get information out of long-term memory (interference)
proactive interference- earlier information interferes with newer information
retroactive interference-- newer information interferes with earlier information
encoding failure- information doesn't make it into long-term memory
storage decay- forgetting information over time; information that is stored in our long-term memory will be forgotten over time if not used, and it will be replaced with new information (although we remember a little because we cued)

Long-Term Memory- not a lot of concrete information related to memory
-new memories help form neural pathways and increase neural firing
-the strengthening of these pathways is called long-term potentiation
-if process is blocked, humans/animals will not learn as well
-animals with damage to their cerebellum can not be classically conditioned
stress hormones- help form permanent memories
hippocampus- lights up when we learn new names, see images or witness events
frontal and temporal lobes-help organize/access older memories

Visual Imagery-picturing what we are exposed to (very effective)
Acoustic Encoding-remembering by sound patterns (not as effective)
Semantic Encoding- remembering the meaning of something and how it fits into something bigger

Mnemonic Devices (Codes)
-memory aids
-most common include:
-Method of Loci
-Keyword Method
-Peg-Word Method
-Acronyms and Sentence Cues

Method of Loci
-used by Greek orators who memorized speeches/plays
-used visual cues around them to help them remember what to say next
-can be used by taking a familiar route and picking random spots along it
-when you have to remember something in order, visualize these items attached to each spot along the route
ex. eggs in the driveway, bread in the mailbox

The Keyword Method
-used when you see a more commonly used word inside of a word you are trying to memorize and you associate it with the meaning of the word you already know
ex. hypothalamus-associated with hunger hunger=hyper

Peg-Word Method
-using pegs to help you memorize a list in order using visualization
-1 is a bun, 2 is a shoe, 3 is a tree, 4 is a door, 5 is a hive, 6 is sticks, 7 is heaven, 8 is a gate, 9 is a line, 10 is a hen
-when a list is needed to be remembered, visualize the word/item associated with the peg
ex. visualize an egg in a bun, tape inside of a shoe

Acronyms
-words used to abbreviate a longer term
ex. SCUBA- self contained underwater breathing apparatus

Sentence Cues
-making a funny sentence to help you memorize a list
ex. music notes EGBDF= every good boy deserves food

Atkison and Shiffin

• Developed 3 Stage processing model
  • Stimulus > Sensory Memory (Stage 1) > encode > Short Term/ Working Memory (stage 2) > rehearsal > back to stage 2 > long term memory (stage 3)
  • Or if something is not rehearsed it is forgotten
  • Once something is in long term memory it can be retrieved by a cue or hint and brought back into short term memory and shared with others

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