Memory: the process by which we encode, store, and retrieve information

• encoding, sorting, retrieval

• 3 storehouses: sensory memory, short term memory (STM) and long term memory (LTM)

Things are more memorable when it taps into our emotions

Mnemonic Devices: Tricks used to help us remember things

Flashbulb Memories: a vivid memory about an emotionally significant event (important, surprising, exciting, and or scary)

Sensory Memory: the very first stage of memory. the initial stage of information that lasts just a fraction of a second

• eyes, ears, nose, touch, etc.

• allows us to take in details from our environment but not “clog up” the system with excess information

• if information is considered important enough, it will be transferred to STM

Short Term Memory: (STM) the memory system in which information is held for breif periods while being used

• lasts anywhere from 15-20 seconds

• ex: hearing a phone number long enough to write it down

• limited capacity, max out between 7-10 items

unless you transfer information into long term memory it will decay

Chunks: a meaningful grouping of stimuli that can be studied as a unit in short term memory

Long Term Memory: memory that stores information on a relatively permanent basis, although it may be sometimes difficult to retrieve

Information that makes its way from short term memory to long term memory enters a storehouse of almost unlimited capacity

• Brain has about 2.5 peta bytes of memory (1 peta byte = million gigabytes)

• enough to record and store 300 years of continuous TV

• can be corrupted by age or injury/disease

Implicit (procedural) Memory:

• memories you unconsciously retrieve from LTM

• could be physical skill, behavior, or habits we’ve mastered

• preform the task without consciously thinking about how to accomplish it and its hard to explain to others how to do what you do

  • ex: eating, riding a bike, walking

Explicit (declarative) Memory:

• consciously (make an effort) retrieve information from LTM

• you are consciously recalling facts and/or events

  • experienced events

Explicit Memory:

• Semantic Memory: memory for things like facts about the world, general knowledge, language, stuff you learn in school

• Episodic/Autobiographical Memory: memory of life experiences

Memory Loss

Ebbinghaus Theory: Systematic forgetting

• the most rapid forgetting occurs in the first 9 hours after learning something new

• information will “leak” out of our brain unless we use a mnemonic device and/or review and repetition

Possible Causes of Memory Loss

• Brain injury (mild concussion to major tramua)

• stress

• fear

• excitement

• old age (brain cells die off)

• Disease

• anesthetics

Alzheimers: a type of dementia

• a specific brain disease that accounts for 60-80% of dementia cases

Dementia: a general term for symptoms like decline in memory, reasoning or other thinking skills

• alzheimer’s is a cause of dementia

Short Term Memory Loss: forgetting information to which the subject has been recently exposed

• repeated questions

• forget where you just put something

• forgets recent events

Retrograde Amnesia: memories are lost prior to a certain event

• can be complete loss or only a chunk of time

• can be temporary or permanent

Anterograde Amnesia: the inability to form any new memories

• information can not be transferred from STM to LTM

• often result of some trauma - physical or emotional

Decay: information lost through non-use

Interference: when information already in memory interferes with the recall of new information (not enough room)

• Proactive: when old memories disrupt or interfere with the retrieval of new memories

  • proactive acne cream prevents new acne

• Retroactive: new memories disrupt the retrieval and maintenance of old memories

  • new info interferes with old info