October 15th
Memory Systems Overview
Memory is divided into different systems categorized by duration and type of information held.
Long Term Memory: Stores information over extended periods.
Short Term Memory: Holds information temporarily for immediate use, limited in capacity.
Memory Interference
Retroactive Interference
Definition: Occurs when new information blocks the retrieval of old information from memory.
Example: Difficulty recalling a previous address due to having learned a new one that overshadows it.
Proactive Interference
Definition: Old information interferes with the ability to learn or recall new information.
Example: Learning a new language (e.g., French) can be hindered by previously learned similar languages (e.g., Spanish), leading to confusion and mistakes in recalling words.
Demonstration of Proactive Interference
A controlled memory task was conducted with participants recalling words from lists after completing a distracting counting task.
Task Steps:
Close your eyes while the instructor sets up.
Count backwards from 300 by threes after seeing lists of words briefly displayed.
After each counting task, write down the words recalled.
Lists Used in Demonstration:
First List: Onion, cabbage, corn
Second List: Radish, beans, spinach
Third List: Potato, peas, okra
Fourth List: Lettuce, turnip, cucumber
Expected Outcomes: Participants demonstrate proactive interference by recalling words from the previous lists in response to newer lists.
Observed results: Many participants' recall was impacted by previously studied words, indicating proactive interference.
Semantic Similarity and Memory Interference
Similarity in meanings significantly influences memory retention and recall.
Release from Proactive Interference:
When word categories changes (e.g., from vegetables to professions), memory recall can improve, reducing interference.
Studies Related:
Research by Wickens showed that changing categories can lead to a significant decrease in interference, as demonstrated by participants recalling vegetables better after fruits than when repeating fruits.
The Working Memory Model
Components of Working Memory
Proposed by Alan Baddeley in the 1960s and 70s, it consists of four interactive components:
Phonological Loop:
Function: Stores verbal information (e.g., sounds of words).
Mechanism: Acts like a tape recording, capable of storing sound stimuli for about two seconds.
Subarticulation: The process where individuals silently rehearse words to hold them in memory.
Characteristic Evidence: Rehearsal rate effects indicate that quicker verbalization leads to better recall, supporting the two-second rule.
Visual Spatial Sketch Pad:
Function: Holds visual and spatial information.
Example: Visualizing moving furniture in a room.
Central Executive:
Role: Governs and regulates the overall functioning of working memory; decides what to focus on and how to process different types of information.
Episodic Buffer:
Newly added component that integrates information from the phonological loop, visual spatial sketch pad, and long-term memory to allow for complex tasks.
Types of Memory Processing
Memory processing involves various strategies:
Semantic Coding: Uses meaning to facilitate encoding into memory.
Phonological Coding: Uses sound features, which can lead to confusion when similar-sounding items are present.
Implications for Study Methods
To avoid interference:
Separate Study Sessions: Avoid studying similar topics back-to-back to prevent proactive interference.
Use meaningful connections to material being studied to enhance memory retention.
Performance Insights: Students often face challenges when attempting to recall or learn within overlapping subject matter due to memory interference. Understanding these dynamics can lead to better study practices.