Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory“HSAM”

Parts 1 and 2http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=oHeEQ85m79I (13:37)http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=en23bCvp-Fw (12:38)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0-

mv26szJk (update 7:46)

Long Term Memory

The relatively permanent and limitless storehouse of the memory system.

Long-Term Memory

Is it limitless?...We think so!

Rajan was able to recite 31,811 digits of pi.

At 5 years old, Rajan would memorize the license plates of all of his parents’ guests (about 75 cars in ten minutes). He still remembers the plate numbers to this day.

Long Term Memory - Types

Memory Retrieval

Reconstructive Memory Leads to incorrect memories Process of piecing together memories

by fitting them into a meaningful plan or organization

We fill in gaps with assumptions because we are uncomfortable with the gaps. Once we've done this, distinguishing what actually happened from what we filled in is almost impossible.

Schema-a cognitive system which helps us organize and make sense of information.

The Rumor Chain – reconstructive memory activity

Errors in each successive telling of the story are usually predictable:

Leveling – The tendency to simplify the material. Non-distinct details are left out.

Sharpening – Different individuals will highlight or over emphasize different details based on their prior experience and personal expectations. They will correctly remember odd/very specific details

that others probably would have forgotten. Assimilation – Details of the story will be

changed to fit the subjects own background knowledge and expectations; schemas.

Memory Retrieval

Context Effect It helps to put yourself back in

the same context you experienced (encoded) something.

If you study on your favorite chair at home, you will probably score higher if you also took the test on the chair.

Chewing gum/testing

Memory Retrieval

Déjà Vu: eerie sense that you have experienced something before. Current situation cues past

experiences that are very similar to the present one- your mind gets confused.

Hemisphere delayIs déjà vu really a glitch in your memory?

Types of Forgetting

Why can’t I remember?Encoding failureStorage DecayRetrieval FailureMotivated forgetting

RepressionAmnesia

InfantileAnterogradeRetrograde

Forgetting

Encoding failure•We fail to encode the information.•It never has a chance to enter our LTM.

Storage Decay

Even if we encode something well, we can forget it.

Without rehearsal, we forget things over time. “Use it or lose it.”

Forgetting: Decay

Retrieval Failure

The memory was encoded and stored, but sometimes you just cannot access the memory.

Motivated Forgetting

One explanation is REPRESSION:

psychoanalytic theory

defense mechanism that banishes anxiety-arousing thoughts, feelings and memories from consciousness

Why does is exist?

Elizabeth Loftus-Eyewitness Testimony and False Memories

Mother’s drowning Famous cases

OJ Simpson Ted Bundy Hillside Stranglers McMartin Preschool Rodney King Michael Jackson

“Lost in the mall technique” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQr_IJvYzbA

“The Bunny Effect” http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=_RLvSGYxDIs NatGeo video-”red coat shills” &

Misinformation Effect

Forgetting--Misinformation Effect

Information received after an event can alter your memory.

Leading question...

“About how fast were the cars going when they ????? into each other?” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rg5bBJQOL74 car video clip

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PB2OegI6wvI More from Loftus

Results of the first experiment:Speed estimates for the verbs used in the estimation of speed question

VERBMEAN ESTIMATE

OF SPEED (mph)

 

Smashed 40.8

Collided 39.3

Bumped 38.1

Hit 34.0

Contacted 31.8

The results in the table show that the phrasing of the question brought about a change in speed estimate. With “smashed” eliciting a higher speed estimate than “contacted.”

Elizabeth Loftus Study

Elizabeth Loftus Study

Results of the second experimentResponse to the question 'Did you see any broken glass?'

ResponseSmashed Hit Control Group

Yes 16 7 6

No 34 43 44

These results show a significant effect of the verb used in the question on the misperception of glass in the video clip.

Elizabeth Loftus

Eyewitness vs DNAThink/pair/share activity60 Minutes clip “Eyewitness”

Brewer and Treyens -Schemas

Psychology professor’s office

Take a few moments to “look around.”

Write down as many details from the photo as possible.

Did you remember books, filing cabinet, telephone, lamp, pens, pencils, coffee cup?