PSYCH 1: L9 Memory

Exam 2

Hermann Ebbinghaus

examined memory scientifically --> how we acquire and forget info
--> memory capacity and malleability of our minds

Structure of Hermann Ebbinghaus studies

• used himself (1 subject) as control for indv differences

• used nonsense syllables as control for stimulus differences

• varied list sizes

Results of Hermann Ebbinghaus studies

• memory capacity = 7 +/- 2 items

• learning and forgetting curves
  --> (recall dec as retention interval inc)
  --> (repetitions req for learning inc as # of syllables per list inc)

What of Hermann Ebbinghaus studies DIDN'T explore

• ability to display memory of info when asked to reproduce it in approach

• diff types of memory that exist

• if memory capacity changes for meaningful info

• if/how we alter memory of info

Memory tests

• Free recall test (Ebbinghaus's test

• cued recall test (states ex)

• recognition tests (dwarfs ex)

• savings tests (elemental tables example)

• implicit memory tests
  --> stimulus/ response pairs

What are the 3 steps of displaying memory?

encoding, storage, retrieval

encoding

the process of converting information into a form that allow us to retrieve that info later

Storage

the process of retaining critical info for later use

Retrieval

the process of accessing the stored information that we have encoded in order to use it in a situation

Temporal memory stages

External events → sensory memory → short-term memory → long-term memory

Sensory memory

• Considered a hypothetical stage of memory for years

• Involves all our senses

• Most of info is said to only last in our memory for a fraction of a second

• Infinity capacity (or at least large)

• After fraction of a second, you attend to/remember only the info deemed relevant

Sperling's sensory memory experiment

• stimulus array flashed on screen for 0.05 seconds

• tone within 0.3s tells what row to speak

• participants recall correct row
  Conclusions: Showed that we are unable to retain much information within a short amount of time

Short term memory

• Has a capacity of 7 +- 2 items (Nonsense syllables confirmation)

• Contains info that we deemed relevant (Both past and new info)
  -Info can be stored in this stage of memory from anywhere between 10 s to a few days

• After, memories are stored either:
  --> Forgotten info
  --> long-term memory store

long term memory

• Consists of info from STM that we identified as important - and had the ability and time to store

• Info in this part of our memory can be very complex

• very susceptible to distortions and complete fabrications