PSY08101 Applied Memory 24-25 - Copy

PSY08101 Cognitive Psychology 1

Lecture Overview

• Topics Covered:

  • Everyday Memory

  • Autobiographical Memory

  • Prospective Memory

  • Eyewitness Memory

  • Memory Failures

  • False Memory

  • Amnesia

  • Alzheimer’s Disease

  • Improving Memory

Required Reading

• Main Text: Eysenck, M. W., & Keane, M. T. (2020). Cognitive Psychology: A Student’s Handbook (8th ed.). Psychology Press. Chapters 8, 6-7.

• Additional Reading: Baddeley, A., Eysenck, M. W., & Anderson, M. C. (2015). Memory (2nd ed.). Psychology Press. Chapters 11-13, 16-17.

Working Memory Model (Baddeley, 2012)

• Components:

  • Central Executive: Oversees and coordinates

  • Slave Systems:

    • Episodic Buffer: Integrates information from different sources

    • Visuo-Spatial Sketchpad: Manages visual and spatial information

    • Phonological Loop: Processes auditory information, including speech

Long-Term Memory

• Types of Long-term Memory:

  • Declarative (Explicit):

    • Episodic: Events and experiences from one’s life

    • Semantic: Facts and knowledge about the world

  • Non-Declarative (Implicit):

    • Procedural: Skills and tasks

    • Priming: Exposure to one stimulus influences response to another

Everyday Memory Types

• Autobiographical Memory:

  • Involves self-related events, distinct from episodic memory, may include semantic memory.

  • Contains unique phenomena such as:

    • Flashbulb Memories: Detailed recollections of significant events (Brown & Kulik, 1977).

    • Childhood Amnesia: Few memories from before age 3.

    • Reminiscence Bump: Enhanced recall from adolescence and early adulthood.

Flashbulb Memories

• Characteristics:

  • Vividness, detail, longevity

  • Perceived as more accurate but can be distorted

  • Example Study: Pezdek (2003) and 9/11 post-event recall.

Childhood Amnesia

• Few memories before age 3.

• Theories:

  • Two-stage theory:

    • Absolute and relative amnesia based on age and cognitive development.

  • Neurogenic hypothesis emphasizes the role of developing Hippocampus.

Reminiscence Bump

• Peak memories from the ages of 10 to 30, influenced by life scripting and cultural expectations.

Prospective Memory

• Definition: Remembering to perform intended actions in the future.

• Model Process:

  • Intention Formation, Retention, Monitoring for Cues, Retrieval, and Execution.

• Types:

  • Event-based: Easier with external cues.

  • Time-based: Organized around timed actions.

• Issues with Prospective Memory: Context, stress effects, and mental health.

Eyewitness Memory

• Influences:

  • Confirmation Bias: Memory shaped by pre-existing beliefs (e.g., Hastorf and Cantril).

  • Misinformation Effect: Post-event information alters memory accuracy (Loftus & Palmer).

  • Weapon Focus: Attention narrows on significant objects (Biggs et al., 2013).

• Identification Challenges:

  • Unconscious transference and other-race effects influence eyewitness reliability.

  • Importance of lineup structure (simultaneous vs sequential).

  • Cognitive Interview techniques enhance recall by mentally reinstating context.

Memory Failures

False Memory

• Examples:

  • Deese-Roediger-McDermott paradigm shows associative memory errors.

  • Misleading information creates false memories.

Amnesia

• Types:

  • Retrograde Amnesia: Loss of past memories.

  • Anterograde Amnesia: Inability to form new memories.

• Conditions Leading to Amnesia: Trauma, medications, infections, and significant illnesses.

Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease

• Types of Dementia include Vascular and Alzheimer’s.

• Alzheimer’s: Characterized by neurodegeneration and episodic memory loss. Treatments focus on managing symptoms (e.g., acetylcholine inhibitors).

Improving Memory

Techniques:

• Distinctiveness: Use unique associations (e.g., von Restorff effect).

• Mnemonics: Like pegword systems and method of loci to enhance recall.

• Testing Effect: Retrieval practice enhances memory retention (Roediger & Karpicke).

• Studying Methods: SQ3R strategy, concept maps, and imagery for deeper cognitive processing.

• Traits of Memory Experts: Differences in brain activity and exceptional strategies for memory improvement.