memory

PSY 2301 covering memory

memory

3 stages, ENCODING, STORAGE, RETRIEVAL

encoding

INPUT OF INFO into memory system, brain labels or codes the information

automatic processing

encodes details of time, space, frequency, and meaning WITHOUT CONSCIOUSNESS

effortful processing

requires WORK and ATTENTION to encode

semantic encoding

WORDS and MEANINGS

visual encoding

images

acoustic encoding

sounds

self reference effect

people are more likely to remember when the information relates to themselves

storage

creation of permanent record of information, LTM

3 stages of STORAGE

SENSORY, SHORT TERM, LONG TERM

sensory memory

brief sensory events, SIGHT, SOUND, TASTE, TEXTURE

STM

TEMPORARY storage, connects sensory memory to something from LTM

rehearsal

moves information from STM to LTM

active rehearsal

LINKS NEW information to OLD information

memory trace decay

info is FORGOTTEN WHEN LESS ACTIVATED over time

LTM

CONTINUOUS STORAGE of info, thought to be UNLIMITED

semantic network

consists of concepts (groups of ideas, images, or memories)

spreading activation

activating semantic network actives the concepts linked to it

2 types of LTM

explicit LTM and implicit LTM

explicit LTM

CONSCIOUSLY try to remember (episodic/semantic)

episodic memory (EXPLICIT LTM)

events or experiences

semantic memory (EXPLICIT LTM)

concepts and facts

implicit LTM

learned outside of awareness, NOT CONSCIOUS (procedural, priming, emotional)

procedural memory (IMPLICIT LTM)

HOW to do things

priming memory (IMPLICIT LTM)

OLD STIMULUS affects responses to a NEW STIMULUS

emotional conditioning (IMPLICIT LTM)

classically conditioned emotional responses

retrieval

taking info out of memory storage (RECALL, RECOGNITION, RELEARNING)

3 types of retrieval methods

1. RECALL: access info without cues

2. RECOGNITION: identify information that was previously learned after seeing it again

3. RELEARNING: learning information that was previously learned

main parts of BRAIN involved with MEMORY

amygdala, hippocampus, cerebellum, prefrontal cortex

engram

group of neurons that serve as the PHYSICAL REPRESENTATION OF MEMORY

equipotentiality hypothesis

if part of an area of a brain is damaged, another part from the same area can take over that function

amygdala

regulates emotions (fear/aggression) → encodes memories at a DEEPER LEVEL when EMOTIONAL

hippocampus

transfers new learning to LTM → injury prevents formation of new semantic knowledge

cerebellum

can create IMPLICIT memories WITHOUT HIPPOCAMPUS

neurotransmitters

• epinephrine

• dopamine

• serotonin

• glutamate

• acetylcholine

arousal theory

STRONG EMOTIONS = STRONG MEMORIES and vice versa → emotional experience can release neurotransmitters and hormones, which strengthens the memory

flashbulb memory

exceptionally clear memory of an important event (trauma?)

false memory

remembering something that did NOT happen

ANTEROgrade amnesia

• ANTERO → AFTER TRAUMA

• commonly caused by brain trauma, cannot remember NEW INFO, but can possibly form new procedural memories

RETROgrade amnesia

• RETRO → BEFORE TRAUMA

• loss of memory of PAST events, can be all or part of past

construction

forming NEW memories

reconstruction

process of bringing up OLD memories

misinformation effect paradigm

after being exposed to MORE or WRONG information, a person can MISREMEMBER the original event

false memory syndrome

recalling (usually traumatic) memories about yourself that DID NOT happen

forgetting

loss of information from LTM

encoding failure

occurs BEFORE memory process begins

memory errors

daniel schacter came up with the “SEVEN SINS OF MEMORY”, categorizing them into FORGETTING, DISTORTION, and INTRUSION

1. transience

FORGETTING → accessibility of memory decreases over time (A MEMORY FADES OVER TIME)

2. absentmindedness

FORGETTING → caused by a LAPSE IN ATTENTION

3. blocking

FORGETTING → accessibility is blocked temporarily, “TIP OF TONGUE”

4. misattribution

DISTORTION → SOURCE of memory is confused

5. suggestiblity

DISTORTION → false memory caused by misinformation from outside sources

6. bias

DISTORTION → memory is distorted by current belief system

7. persistence

INTRUSION → inability to forget a bad memory

interference

stored in memory but inaccessible (proactive/retroactive)

PROactive interference

old information hinders new information

RETROactive interference

new information hinders old information

ways to enhance memory

1. rehearsal

2. chunking

3. elaborative rehearsal

4. mnemonic device

chunking

organizing information into manageable bits or chunks

elaborative rehearsal

think of new information and its relation to prior knowledge

schema

organized clusters of knowledge, integrate new info with old info