Transcript Module 19

Forgetting and Memory Construction
MODULE 19

Can you pick out the
real deal? Most of us
can't, because we've
never bothered to
encode this
information. The
penny spends just as
well whether we can
identify the correct
version or not. (From
Nickerson & Adams,
1979.)
I. FORGETTING AS ENCODING FAILURE
You can’t “forget” information you have never
encoded
 As you get older you are less capable of
encoding new information. (This explains some
“forgetfulness” of older adults)

II. FORGETTING AS STORAGE FAILURE
Ebbinghaus –
Famous for
“forgetting curve”
which shows most
forgetting happens
quickly and then
levels off.
 Permastore memory
Long term
memories that are
resistant to
forgetting (last a
lifetime).

III. FORGETTING AS RETRIEVAL FAILURE

Interference – When one memory gets in the
way of another
 Proactive
Interference – When an older memory
interrupts a newer memory
 Old
phone number blocks new one
 Retroactive
Interference – When a more recent
memory reduces your ability to retrieve an older
memory.
 New
locker combination blocks an old one
III. FORGETTING AS RETRIEVAL FAILURE

Because his memory of last year's locker combination (a)
produces proactive interference, this boy can't remember
this year's combination. He gets so caught up in the details
of this year's game (d) that retroactive interference prevents
him from remembering the details of last year's game (c).
III. FORGETTING AS RETRIEVAL FAILURE

Motivated Forgetting
 Freud
– Founder of Psychoanalysis, which was an
attempt to understand motivated forgetting
 Repression – Process of moving anxiety producing
memories to the unconscious. (Not supported by
scientific evidence)
IV. MEMORY CONSTRUCTION
Retrieving a memory is like building a puzzle.
 Memories are constructed out of information that
is real and some that is not, making it difficult to
distinguish between the two categories.
 Elizabeth Loftus – Research established the
constructed nature of memory. (video )
 Memory is less like a videotape than like a jigsaw
puzzle with missing pieces. Your brain
"manufactures" new pieces to fill in the holes and
construct a complete memory.

IV. MEMORY CONSTRUCTION

Misinformation Effect – Incorporating
misleading information into ones memory of an
event (How fast were the cars going when they
hit/smashed into each other?)
 The
more time passes before the misleading
information, the greater the misinformation.
 Major implications for courtroom testimony (How
reliable are eye witnesses?)
False memory video
IV. MEMORY CONSTRUCTION

Children’s recall
 Children’s
memories grow more accurate with age.
(Younger children are more susceptible to
suggestion.)
 Ways to minimize false memories in kids
 Use
words the kids understand.
 Interviewer has had no contact with the child before
questioning.
 Uses neutral language (does not ask leading or
suggesting questions.
 Do not use an anatomically correct doll.
IV. MEMORY CONSTRUCTION

Recovered Memories
 Can
repression of memories occur?
 possibly
 Can
recovered memories be false?
 yes
 Be
cautious and avoid jumping to conclusions
about recovered memories.
 We
should trust our memories but also be aware
that they are not perfectly reliable.