Unit VII:CognitionMs. Justice

AP Psychology

2014-2015

Unit VII - Overview

31 – Studying & Building Memories

32 – Memory Storage & Retrieval

33 – Forgetting, Memory Construction & Memory Improvement

34 – Thinking, Concepts & Creativity

35 – Solving Problems & Making Decisions

36 – Thinking & Language

Unit VII:CognitionModule 31

Studying & Building Memories

Defining Memory 31-1

Memory

• Memory is the basis for knowing your friends, your neighbors, the English language, the national anthem, and yourself.

• If memory was nonexistent, everyone would be a stranger to you; every language foreign; every task new; and even you yourself would be a stranger.

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Memory

Memory is any indication that learning has persisted over time. It is our ability to store and

retrieve information.

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Memory Models 31-2

Information Processing Models

Keyboard(Encoding)

Disk(Storage)

Monitor(Retrieval)

Computers process information in speedy, a sequential process; the human brain is

slower but does many things at once

Encoding – getting information into the brain

Storage – retaining information

Retrieval – getting information back out

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Information Processing

The Atkinson-Schiffrin (1968) three-stage model of memory includes:

a) sensory memory – an immediate recording of information

b) short-term memory – activated memory that holds a few items briefly (info. is either stored or forgotten)

c) long-term memory – relatively permanent and limitless storehouse of the memory system

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Modifications to the Three-Stage Model

1. Some information skips the first two stages and enters long-term memory automatically.

2. Since we cannot focus on all the sensory information received, we select information that is important to us and process it into our working memory – short-term memory that focuses on conscious, active processing of information.

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Working Memory 31-2

Dual-Track Memory 31-3

Explicit & Implicit Memories

• Some information (route to your school) is automatically processed. It skips encoding & jumps directly to storage. These are implicit memories.

• However, new or unusual information (friend’s new cell-phone number) requires attention and effort. These are explicit memories.

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Automatic Processing & Implicit Memories

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Automatic Processing

We process an enormous amount of information effortlessly, such as the following:

1. Space: While reading a textbook, you automatically encode the place of a picture on a page.

2. Time: We unintentionally note the events that take place in a day.

3. Frequency: You effortlessly keep track of things that happen to you.

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Sensory Memories 31-5

Sensory Memories

Iconic0.5 sec. long

Echoic3-4 sec. long

Hepatic< 1 sec. long

The duration of sensory memory varies for the different senses.

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Short-Term & Working Memory Capacity

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Working Memory

Working memory has a limited capacity (7±2) and a short duration (20 seconds).

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Short Term Memory Demonstration

Effortful Processing Strategies 31-7

Rehearsal

• Effortful learning usually requires rehearsal or conscious repetition.

• Hermann Ebbinghaus studied rehearsal by using nonsense syllables: TUV YOF GEK XOZ

• The more times the nonsense syllables were practiced on Day 1, the fewer repetitions were required to remember them on Day 2.

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Memory Effects

1. Spacing Effect: We retain information better when we rehearse over time.

2. Serial Position Effect: Recall is generally better for first and last items on a list, but poor for middle items.

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Chunking

Organizing items into a familiar,

manageable unit.

Try to remember the numbers below.

1-7-7-6-1-4-9-2-1-8-1-2-1-9-4-1

If you are well versed with American history, chunk the numbers together and see if you can recall them better. 1776 1492 1812 1941.

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Chunking

F-B-I-T-W-A-C-I-A-I-B-M

The capacity of the working memory may be increased by “chunking.”

Try to remember the letters below.

FBI TWA CIA IBM

4 chunks

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Mnemonics

Mnemonic techniques are memory aids that use vivid imagery and organizational devices.

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Hierarchy

Complex information broken down into broad concepts and further subdivided into categories

and subcategories.

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Levels of Processing 31-8

Deep Processing & Encoding Meaning

• Semantic encoding, or processing the meaning of information by associating it with what we already know (or imagine), results in better recognition.

• We have especially good recall for information we can meaningfully relate to ourselves.

• The amount remembered depends both on the time spent learning and on making it meaningful for deep processing.

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