2.7 Forgetting and other memory challenges

The forgetting curve

by Ebbinghaus

there is a steep decline in memory retention, but over time the rate of forgetting slows down and eventually levels off

shows that time is a significant factor in forgetting

forgetting occurs rapidly after initial learning and levels off over time

Encoding failure

happens when information is not stored correctly

can be due to our attention being divided during the encoding process or due to inadequate retrieval cues

can cause tip of the tongue phenomenon, ex you know you know the song but can’t remember the name

Proactive interference

when older memories interfere with the recall of newer memories ex learning a new code when you have an old code in your head

Retroactive interference

when newer memories interfere with the recall of older memories ex if someone sings new lyrics to the tune of an old song, you may have trouble remembering the original words

Inadequate retrieval

Sometimes even stored memories cannot be accessed, which leads to forgetting

ex tip of the tongue phenomenon

Repression

the basic defense mechanism that information or memories can be forgotten to defend the ego from distress

psychodynamic theorists believe this

Misinformation effect

occurs when misleading information has distorted one’s memory of an event

ex someone asking how fast the cars were going when they SMASHED into each other will make you remember there being glass shards and a big dent, when it really was a small crash

Source amnesia

faulty memory for how, when, or where information was learned or imagined

source amnesia, along with the misinformation effect, is at the heart of many false memories

Constructive memory

When remembering information, the brain combines actual stored information with additional elements such as assumptions, expectations, and even new information

this can be done via memory consolidation or imagination inflation

Memory consolidation- the neural storage of a long term memory. Memory reconsolidation is when previously stored memories when retrieved, are potentially altered before being stored again

Imagination inflation- the increased likelihood of believing an event actually occurred after having imagined it.