Memory concepts 2.5 & 6 lecture

Overview of Memory Concepts in Psychology

Review of key points from online lectures covering memory definitions, processes, and types.
Focus units: 2.3 and 2.4

Understanding Memory

Major Areas of Focus

  • How are memories created?

  • How are memories consolidated?

  • How is information retrieved from long-term memory?

Memory Encoding and Retrieval

  • Memory Process Model by Atkinson and Shifrin

    • The model outlines three steps:

    • Encoding: Initial process of capturing information.

    • Storage: Holding information over time.

    • Retrieval: Accessing information as needed from memory.

  • Memory Phases

    • Sensory Memory: Initial stage where sensory information is first recorded.

    • Working Memory (formerly Short-Term Memory): A processing center where information is actively maintained and manipulated.

    • Not just storage, but also involved in rehearsal and maintenance of information.

    • Long-Term Memory: A vast repository for stored information with potentially limitless capacity.

    • Retrieval can be challenging, depending on various factors.

Types of Memory

Implicit (Automatic) vs. Explicit (Effortful) Memory

  • Implicit Memory

    • Also known as non-declarative memory.

    • Processes automatically without conscious recollection.

    • Examples:

    • Motor Skills: e.g., riding a bike.

    • Classical Conditioning: Associative learning that occurs unconsciously.

    • Brain Structures Involved:

    • Cerebellum: Coordinates motor control and implicit memory formation.

    • Basal Ganglia: Involved in procedural memory.

  • Explicit Memory

    • Involves conscious recall.

    • Requires effort to store and retrieve.

    • Examples:

    • Facts, events, and concepts learned in academic settings.

    • Techniques for Effective Encoding:

    • Chunking: Breaking information into manageable units (e.g., phone numbers).

    • Mnemonics: Memory aids that use associations (e.g., "My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nachos" for planets).

    • Hierarchies: Organizing information into a structured format.

    • Distributive Practice: Spacing out study sessions for better retention.

    • Meaningfulness: Making connections to personal experiences enhances memory retention.

Sensory Memory

  • Iconic Memory:

    • Type of sensory memory related to visual stimuli.

    • Duration: Only a few tenths of seconds.

  • Echoic Memory:

    • Type of sensory memory related to auditory stimuli.

    • Duration: Around three to four seconds.

    • Example of echoic memory: Being able to recall what a teacher just said a moment later due to brief auditory retention.

Working Memory

  • Capacity to hold approximately seven items (George Miller’s magic number: 7 ± 2).

  • Importance of Rehearsal:

    • Information can be retained longer through processes like maintenance rehearsal and chunking.

Research Studies

George Spurling's Research

  • Study focused on Iconic Memory.

  • Method: Involves whole and partial reporting of letters flashed briefly on a screen.

    • Whole Report: Participants recalled entire letter displays.

    • Partial Report: Participants focused on one row indicated by a tone, resulting in better recall indicating momentary sensory retention.

Additional Memory Concepts

Memory Storage

  • Hippocampus Role:

    • Critical for explicit memories and factual information processing.

  • Amygdala:

    • Processes emotional memories and plays a role in stress-related memory formation.

Memory Loss and Amnesia

Types of Amnesia

  • Anterograde Amnesia:

    • Inability to form new memories after the incident.

  • Retrograde Amnesia:

    • Inability to recall past memories prior to the incident.

Alzheimer’s Disease

  • Affects memory through damage to neurons and neurotransmitter systems (notably acetylcholine).

  • Memory loss occurs progressively and affects learning and memory functioning.

Theories of Memory Retrieval

Types of Recall

  • Recall vs. Recognition:

    • Recall: Retrieval of information without cues (e.g., essay questions).

    • Recognition: Identification of information from presented options (e.g., multiple-choice questions).

    • Relearning: Assessing how much time is saved when previously learned material is re-studied.

Ebbinghaus’s Research

  • Studied memory retention indicating that the more repetitions made during initial learning, the fewer repetitions needed to remember afterward.

Priming Effect

  • Activation of associations in memory, facilitating retrieval of related items (e.g., previous activities leading to similar responses).

Context-Dependent Memory

  • Better recall occurs when retrieval happens in the same context as initial learning (e.g., being in the same room as during study).

Mood-Congruent Memory

  • Easier recall of memories consistent with current mood states (e.g., recalling sad events when feeling sad).

Serial Position Effect

  • Recall influenced by the position of items in a list:

    • Primacy Effect: Better recall for items presented first.

    • Recency Effect: Better recall for items presented last.

Conclusion

  • Emphasizes the complexity of memory processing, storage, retrieval and the different types of memory involved.

  • Highlights importance of context and emotional states in memory…