MemoryMemoryChapter 7

A.P. Psychology

Chapter 7

A.P. Psychology

Basic TerminologyBasic TerminologyEncoding: involves forming memory codeStorage: involves maintaining encoded

information in memory over timeRetrieval: involves recovering information

from memory stores**Think of your Memory as a computer system -

you have to code the information, store it on a hard-drive and eventually retrieve it**

Encoding: involves forming memory codeStorage: involves maintaining encoded

information in memory over timeRetrieval: involves recovering information

from memory stores**Think of your Memory as a computer system -

you have to code the information, store it on a hard-drive and eventually retrieve it**

EncodingEncoding

Attention: involves focusing awareness on a narrowed range of stimuliYou have to pay

attention to information if you intend to remember it

Attention: involves focusing awareness on a narrowed range of stimuliYou have to pay

attention to information if you intend to remember it

Cocktail Party Phenomenon: in a crowded party, people tend to focus on one conversation, but if someone else mentions a person’s name, they may notice it, even though they have been ignoring that conversation

Cocktail Party Phenomenon: in a crowded party, people tend to focus on one conversation, but if someone else mentions a person’s name, they may notice it, even though they have been ignoring that conversation

EncodingEncodingLevels of Processing Theory: proposes that deeper

levels of processing result in longer-lasting memory codes - not all attention is created equal1. Shallow Processing

Structural Encoding - emphasizes the physical structure of the stimulus

2. Intermediate Processing Phonemic Encoding - emphasizes what a word sounds like

3. Deep Processing Semantic Encoding - emphasizes the meaning of verbal input

Levels of Processing Theory: proposes that deeper levels of processing result in longer-lasting memory codes - not all attention is created equal1. Shallow Processing

Structural Encoding - emphasizes the physical structure of the stimulus

2. Intermediate Processing Phonemic Encoding - emphasizes what a word sounds like

3. Deep Processing Semantic Encoding - emphasizes the meaning of verbal input

Fig 7.4 – Levels-of-processing theory. According to Craik and Lockhart (1972), structural, phonemic, and semantic encoding—which can be elicited by questions such as those shown on the right— involve progressively deeper levels of processing, which should result in more durable memories.

Enriching EncodingEnriching Encoding

Elaboration - linking a stimulus to other information at the time of encoding; using examples to illustrate an idea

Visual Imagery - the creation of visual images to represent the words to be remembered; imagery facilitates memory because it provides a second kind of memory code and 2 are better than one

Elaboration - linking a stimulus to other information at the time of encoding; using examples to illustrate an idea

Visual Imagery - the creation of visual images to represent the words to be remembered; imagery facilitates memory because it provides a second kind of memory code and 2 are better than one

Visual ImageryVisual Imagery“It was a dark and

stormy night…”“Once upon a time in a

magical kingdom…”With a picture to go along

with the words, the impact is greater

Dual-Coding Theory: holds that memory is enhanced by forming semantic and visual codes

“It was a dark and stormy night…”

“Once upon a time in a magical kingdom…”

With a picture to go along with the words, the impact is greater

Dual-Coding Theory: holds that memory is enhanced by forming semantic and visual codes

Maintaining Information in MemoryMaintaining Information in MemorySensory Memory - preserves info in original

sensory form for a fraction of a secondExample: An Afterimage

Remember the Jesus Illusion from chapter 4

This gives you extra time to try to recognize stimuli

Sensory Memory - preserves info in original sensory form for a fraction of a secondExample: An Afterimage

Remember the Jesus Illusion from chapter 4

This gives you extra time to try to recognize stimuli

Maintaining Information in MemoryMaintaining Information in MemoryShort-Term Memory - a limited capacity store

Usually lasts about 20 sectionsCapacity = 7 items + or - 2Rehearsal - repetitively verbalizing or thinking

about the informationWithout rehearsal, information is lost within 20 seconds

Short-Term Memory - a limited capacity storeUsually lasts about 20 sectionsCapacity = 7 items + or - 2Rehearsal - repetitively verbalizing or thinking

about the informationWithout rehearsal, information is lost within 20 seconds

Maintaining Information in MemoryMaintaining Information in MemoryShort-Term Memory (cont.)

CHUNKING A group of familiar stimuli stored as a single unitIncreases Capacity of STM

Example: Remember this pattern of letters

F B I M A C C I A I B M

Short-Term Memory (cont.)CHUNKING

A group of familiar stimuli stored as a single unitIncreases Capacity of STM

Example: Remember this pattern of letters

F B I M A C C I A I B M

A string of 12 letters is too long for STM so CHUNK common letter patterns together

FBI MAC CIA IBM

Much easier to remember & 4 remains within STM capacity limit

A string of 12 letters is too long for STM so CHUNK common letter patterns together

FBI MAC CIA IBM

Much easier to remember & 4 remains within STM capacity limit

Maintaining Information in MemoryMaintaining Information in Memory

Long-Term Memory - an unlimited capacity store - holds information for a long timeSome believe it might be permanent

Flashbulb Memories - unusually vivid and detailed recollections of momentous events Can you think of an example?

Long-Term Memory - an unlimited capacity store - holds information for a long timeSome believe it might be permanent

Flashbulb Memories - unusually vivid and detailed recollections of momentous events Can you think of an example?

Are Short-Term and Long-Term Memory really separate?Are Short-Term and Long-Term Memory really separate?

Some theorists believe that these actually work togetherShort-Term memory is really just the tiny and

constantly changing portions of long-term memorySome others think that there is only one, general

memory store that is governed by one set of rules and processes

Decide for yourself!

Some theorists believe that these actually work togetherShort-Term memory is really just the tiny and

constantly changing portions of long-term memorySome others think that there is only one, general

memory store that is governed by one set of rules and processes

Decide for yourself!

Self-Referent EncodingSelf-Referent EncodingMaking material personally meaningful;

people’s recall of information tends to be slanted in favor of material that is personally relevant

Making material personally meaningful; people’s recall of information tends to be slanted in favor of material that is personally relevant