Transcript Slide 1

Memory
Memory: Overview
• Memory: Active system that receives, stores,
organizes, alters, and recovers (retrieves)
information
• Encoding
– Converting
information into a
useable form
• Storage
– Holding this
information in memory
for later use
• Retrieval
– Taking memories out
of storage
Encoding
• The role of attention
Storage
• Computer analogy
• Information-processing theories
– Subdivide memory into 3 different stores
• Sensory, Short-term, Long-term
Storage:
Sensory Memory
• Storing an exact copy of incoming information for a
fraction of a second; the first stage of memory
– Icon: A fleeting mental image or visual
representation
– Echo: After a sound is heard, a brief continuation of
the sound in the auditory system
Storage:
Short-Term Memory
• Temporary storage of recent events
– Chunking – grouping familiar stimuli for storage as a
single unit
– Rehearsal – the process of repetitively verbalizing or
thinking about the information
Storage:
Long-Term Memory
• Relatively permanently storage based upon
meaning and importance
Eidetic Imagery (Somewhat Like Photographic Memory)
• Occurs when a person (usually
a child) has visual images
clear enough to be scanned or
retained for at least 30
seconds
• Usually projected onto a
“plain” surface, like a blank
piece of paper
• Usually disappears during
adolescence and is rare by
adulthood
Retrieval
• Methods of Retrieval
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Free Recall – asked to say what you remember
Cued Recall – given significant hints
Recognition – choose from among several items
Savings – asked to re-learn something
• Reconstructing Events
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Reconstruction Process – rely upon routine and expectations
Hindsight Bias – mold our recollection to fit past events
Misinformation Effect – other people distort your memories
False memories – controversy over authenticity
Savings – asked to re-learn something