Memory and Cognition PSYC1011

Shallow processing

Encoding information in a superficial way, such as focusing on upper or lower case letters.

Deep processing

Encoding information in a meaningful way, such as connecting it to existing knowledge or generating new examples.

Retrieval practice

Testing yourself on the material to strengthen memory and improve recall.

Distributed practice

Spacing out study sessions over time to enhance learning and memory.

Elaboration

Thinking about the meaning of the material and making connections to other concepts or personal interests.

Inattentional blindness

Failing to see something that is right in front of you due to your attention being focused on a primary task.

Change blindness

Failing to notice changes in your environment, even when they are relatively large or obvious.

Feature integration theory

The idea that certain basic features are processed quickly and in parallel, while attention is needed to bind these features together into more complex objects.

Interleaved practice

Mixing up different types of practice problems or examples to encourage comparison and discrimination between concepts.

Memory palace

A mnemonic technique that involves associating information with specific locations in a familiar environment to aid in memory recall.

Sleep (study technique)

Getting sufficient sleep is important for memory consolidation and retention.

Flashbulb memory

A vivid and detailed memory of an emotionally significant event, often associated with strong emotions and high confidence in the accuracy of the memory.

Schemas

Organized knowledge or expectations about a particular domain or event that can influence memory and perception.

False memories

Memories that are distorted or fabricated due to suggestions, biases, or misleading information.

Source monitoring

The process of distinguishing between different sources of information, such as distinguishing between what was seen versus what was heard.

Retrograde amnesia

Inability to access old memories, typically more profound for recent memories.

Primitive Features

The idea that some basic features don’t need attention to be seen (visual pop-out)

When do primitive features require attention?

When you try to combine these features (conjunction features)

What is the binding process of feature integration theory?

Slow and serial, need to move attention from one item to the other in order to be aware of more complex objects.

Two ways we can manipulate attention to make it more likely people will see an unexpected object?

Spatial attention - moving attention around from place to place. OR Feature based attention - turning your attention to particular features

Simon & Levin

50% of people don’t notice they are talking to a different person

Desirable Difficulties and their effect

Elaboration = Deep encoding, testing yourself = retrieval, Distributed practice = Spacing effect

Why is interleaved practice good?

encourages comparison, contrasts and discrimination between concepts

Why is elaboration good for memory?

Concrete information is easier to visualise and remember

Why does memory palace work?

Hippocampus is thought to be involved in emotion and spatial navigation, which is in control of STM and LTM processing

Consolidation

The ‘stabilisation’ of memories that have been encoded.

If you start studying in the evening, and then continue after a good sleep, you will remember more than if you study the same topic in the morning and then the evening

reconstructive memory

The process of altering and reshaping memories over time, influenced by new information or experiences. It can lead to inaccuracies or false memories due to the brain's tendency to fill in gaps.

What did the Bartlett study show?

That memory is reconstructive and influenced by our pre-existing knowledge and schemas.

External source monitoring

Distinguishing between external sources

(what I saw vs. what someone told me)

Internal source monitoring

Distinguishing between internal sources (what I thought vs what I said)

Reality monitoring

Distinguishing between internal and external sources

Multistore memory model

It consists of three main components: sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory.

1. Sensory Memory: This is the initial stage of memory where information from the environment is briefly registered. It has a large capacity but a very short duration (less than a second).

2. Short-Term Memory (STM): Also known as working memory, this is where information is temporarily held and actively processed. STM has a limited capacity (around 7 items) and a short duration (around 20-30 seconds) unless it is rehearsed or transferred to long-term memory.

3. Long-Term Memory (LTM): This is the stage where information is stored for a longer period of time, potentially indefinitely. LTM has a vast capacity and can store various types of information, including facts, skills, and experiences.