5th

Memory Processes Overview

• Encoding and Transfer of Information

  • Forms of Encoding

  • Short-Term Storage

  • Long-Term Storage

    • Transfer of Information from STM to LTM

    • Rehearsal

    • Organization of Information

  • Retrieval

    • Retrieval from STM

    • Retrieval from LTM

  • Process of Forgetting and Memory Distortion

    • Distortion

    • Interference Theory

    • Decay Theory

    • The Constructive Nature of Memory

    • Autobiographical Memory

    • Eyewitness Testimony

Encoding and Storage

• Short-Term Storage

  • Primarily acoustic encoding

• Long-Term Storage

  • Primarily semantic encoding

Transfer of Information from STM to LTM

• Key Problems

  • Interference

  • Decay

• Memory Types

  • Nondeclarative Memory: learning through practice or conditioning

  • Declarative Memory: processing through attention and association

Rehearsal in Memory Transfer

• Types of Rehearsal

  • Overt (visible)

  • Covert (silent)

  • Maintenance Rehearsal: simple repetition

  • Elaborative Rehearsal: meaningful integration with existing knowledge

Retrieval from Memory

• Short-Term Memory

  • Parallel vs. Serial Processing

  • Exhaustive vs. Self-terminating Processing

• Long-Term Memory

  • Cued recall yields better results than free recall

Processes of Forgetting

• Interference Theory

  • Types of Interference

    • Retroactive: new learning interferes with old

    • Proactive: old learning interferes with new

• Decay Theory

  • Memories fade; effects are small short-term; more forgetfulness due to interference

The Constructive Nature of Memory

• Key Concepts

  • Transience: quick fading of memories

  • Absent-mindedness and Blocking

  • Misattribution and Suggestibility

  • Bias in recall influenced by current emotions

  • Persistence of significant memories over trivial ones

Memory Distortion

• Eyewitness Testimony

  • Errors in memory can lead to wrongful convictions

  • Examples of wrongful accusations show the potential risks of unreliable memories