AP PSYCH 5.5 Forgetting and Memory Distortion

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AP PSYCH 5.5 Forgetting and Memory Distortion

Forgetting

  • Forgetting can occur when encoding was not done well enough
    • The connections keeping that memory there decay and it can no longer be retrieved
  • We may also fail to retrieve a memory if the connections are not strong enough and cues are not helpful enough
    • Like a word on the tip of your tongue

Storage Decay

  • Ebbinghaus developed the ā€˜forgetting curveā€™ to predict at what point something is forgotten
  • He memorized nonsense syllables and measured at what point he forgot them over a couple days
  • There was a steep drop-off of recall initially, which then leveled out

Retrieval Failure

  • When information is stored but not accessible
  • Can affect retrospective memory which is looking back at previous information
  • Also affects prospective memory
    • This is memory of something in the future
    • Can be assisted with retrieval cues
    • Like remembering an event you have to attend or medicine you take each morning

Interference

Proactive Interference

  • Prior information disrupts new learning
  • Learning a new language may be very hard when you keep thinking back to your native language

Retroactive Interference

  • New information disrupts prior learning
  • Or rather, the new language youā€™re learning is popping up in your native speech

Amnesia

Retrograde Amnesia

  • Inability to remember past information or experiences
  • Procedures to make new memories remain

Anterograde Amnesia

  • Inability to form new memories
  • Often relates to damage to the hippocampus

Source Amnesia

  • Attributing an experience to the wrong source
  • Quite common

Ways to Improve Memory

  • Make new information meaningful with links and associations
  • Distribute practice
  • Activate retrieval cues
  • Use the testing effect
  • Chunk information
  • Use mnemonics
  • Get good and consistent sleep

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