Psychology Lectures 1-7

Types of Memory

• Episodic Memory – Personal life experiences

• Semantic Memory – Facts, ideas, and concepts

• Autobiographical Memory – Combination of episodic & semantic memory

• Emotional Memory – Emotion-memory interactions

Memory Processes

1. Encoding – Converting info into a storable form

2. Storage – Creating a trace in the nervous system

3. Retrieval – Recovering a memory trace

Key Memory Theories

• Ebbinghaus (Forgetting Curve) – Memory loss over time without reinforcement

• Peterson & Peterson (1959) – Retention interval study

• Miller (1956) – Short-term memory capacity: Magic number 7 ± 2

• Baddeley & Hitch (Working Memory Model)

  • Central Executive – Command system

  • Visuospatial Sketchpad – Inner eye

  • Phonological Loop – Inner ear & voice

  • Episodic Buffer – Temporary storage & chunking

Types of Memory Storage

• Sensory Memory – Stores input from senses (sight, sound, etc.)

• Short-term Memory (STM) – Lasts 15-20s, limited capacity (7±2 items)

• Long-term Memory (LTM) – Large capacity, can last decades

Memory & Brain Structures

• Patient H.M. – Damage to medial temporal lobe, causing anterograde amnesia

• Lobes of the Brain:

  • Frontal Lobe – Decision-making, planning

  • Temporal Lobe – Memory

  • Parietal Lobe – Coordination

  • Occipital Lobe – Vision

  • Cerebellum – Skill learning/movements

  • Brain Stem – Body control

Forgetting Mechanisms

1. Trace Decay – Weakening of neuron connections

2. Retroactive Interference – New learning disrupts old

3. Proactive Interference – Old learning disrupts new

Memory Enhancement Techniques

• Chunking – Grouping info to improve recall

• Elaborative Rehearsal – Relating new info to stored info

• Method of Loci – Associating items with familiar locations

Memory & Trauma

• PTSD Symptoms:

  • Avoidance (social withdrawal)

  • Psychophysiological reactivity (hypervigilance, sweating)

  • Re-experiencing (flashbacks, nightmares)