Memory and Models of Memory

A brief overview of memory and the most basic models of memory for my introductory psychology class.

1. Memory and Models of Memory Introductory Psychology

2. What is Memory? Mental ability to retain and recall past experience Based on mental processes of Learning Retention Recall and Retrieval

3. The Basic Memory Process Encoding Storage Retrieval

4. Part 1 - Encoding The process of converting physical stimuli into a form that the brain’s memory system can interpret and use Physical stimuli Encoding

5. Types of Encoding Acoustic : Sounds, spoken words Visual : Images, “mental snapshots” S emantic : “General meanings” Concepts and ideas Dual Coding: Using 2+ types of encoding More effective

6. What type of encoding would be used to memorize this picture? Visual encoding, of course!

7. How about this problem…? Semantic encoding – the idea of addition is conceptual

8. What about this last one…? Trick question! It’s visual AND acoustic (dual coding) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMzlm9OVpvU&feature=plcp&context=C3f0f838UDOEgsToPDskKvmmlg5165l9EZxd1uYEaK

9. Part 2 - Storage The process of keeping memories intact in the brain’s memory system over time

10. Types of Memories Episodic – Specific events or “episodes” Procedural – Information on how to do things Repetition is key How to ride a bike, tie shoes, walk, etc Semantic – Generalized knowledge of concepts NOT based on specific events

11. Checkpoint! What types of memories are described in the following? Knowledge of how to take a shower Procedural memory Information about Newton’s three laws of motion Semantic memory Memory of going to Disneyland the summer before 3 rd grade? Episodic memory

12. Part 3 – Retrieval The process of “locating” specific memories in storage and bringing them into consciousness

13. Types of Retrieval Recall – Unaided retrieval of memories Free response questions, oral exams Recognition – Retrieval with help of hints Easier than recall Multiple choice tests

14. Categories of Memories Retrieved Explicit – Deliberately remembered Implicit – Unintentional recollection Influence of prior experiences Unconscious, you have no control over this “Good guys” and “bad guys”

15. Models of Memory

16. 1. Levels of Processing ( LoP ) States that the quality of memory is based on the degree that information is processed More examples Last night’s TV show Quality means that memories are… Properly stored Easily recalled Not quickly forgotten

17. Two Types of Rehearsal Rehearsal – Mental techniques used to remember information Maintenance – Repeating information over and over No connections Rote memorization of facts Elaborative – Relating new and old information Builds connections More effective over time

18. Connection Questions Consider the following situation… Questions: 1. What type of rehearsal is each student using? 2. Who will (most likely) remember the prefixes longer? 3. How can you use your knowledge of rehearsal and the LoP model to study more effectively?

19. 2. Transfer Appropriate Processing ( TaP ) States that memory quality increases if retrieval process matches original encoding process

20. 3. Parallel Distributed Processing (PDP) Memories exist in a “network.” New experiences alter this network and change one’s knowledge base Birds Lay Eggs Mammals Robin Platypus Parrot Roadrunner Flamingo Elephant Squirrel Crocodile

21. PDP Model, Continued More connections, information stored longer Parallel processing – Portions of network activate simultaneously Helps draw inferences Birds Lay Eggs Mammals Robin Platypus Parrot Roadrunner Flamingo Elephant Squirrel Crocodile

22. 4. Information Processing Model Stimuli must pass through sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory in order to be stored well in memory Stimuli STM Sensory LTM

23. Stage 1 – Sensory Memory Holds large amounts of information very briefly Sensory Registers – Store incoming stimuli long enough for further processing 1 or 2 seconds Perception – When information is encoded Forgotten if not percepted Selective Attention – Focusing mental resources to specific stimuli Filter Prevent against brain overload

24. Memorize the following sequence in 10 seconds… 1, 5, 3 2, 7, 9, 3 2, 1, 3, 5, 6, 0, 7 5, 3, 2, 1, 7, 9, 8, 9, 9 2, 0, 3, 2, 9, 8, 7, 5, 3, 2, 8, 9, 5, 2

25. Stage 2 – Short Term Memory (STM) 7 +/- 2 item memory span Chunking – Grouping items meaningfully Thinking of two 9’s as one item Increases STM capacity 18 second duration Uses mainly acoustic and partially visual encoding

26. Stage 3 – Long Term Memory (LTM) Unlimited capacity (hypothetically) Duration: 18+ seconds to forever Mainly semantic, partially visual encoding

27. Serial Position Effect Relating STM and LTM Serial means “in order” Given a list of items in a certain order… Why?

28. Serial Position Effect, continued Primacy Effect – Good recall for 1 st few items More time to commit to LTM Recency Effect – Good recall for final items Item still accessible in STM Not as strong as primacy effect “Cramming”

29. So which model is correct…? What do you think? Most likely, each theory has some truth

30. Tune in next class for “Remembering and Forgetting” The End

31. Sources Image,