Transcript PSY110 Psychology - Pioneer Pacific College

Module 20
Forgetting: When Memory Fails
Chapter 6, Pages 239-247
Essentials of Understanding Psychology- Sixth Edition
PSY110 Psychology
© Richard Goldman
October 24, 2006
Forgetting
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The inability to recall may be attributed to
may factors:
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Initial encoding
Memory decay
Interference
Cue-dependent loss
Drugs
Disease
Physical damage
Memory Persistence
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Memory decreases over time: Very rapid at first; Very slow later on
Hermann Ebinghaus
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Reviewing information right after learning greatly increases
persistence.
Relearning previously learned information is easier, quicker and
more persistent.
Memory Decay
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The loss of the physical memory trace.
Though to be due to lack of use.
Does not appear to be time dependent.
(May just be a recall problem.)
Memory Interference
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The theory that new memory interferes with
the recall of older memory.
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Proactive Interference – Earlier learning interferes
with new learning
Retroactive Interference – New learning interferes
with older learning
Biological Foundation of Memory
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Memory Trace: The physical (neurological) record
(map) of a memory.
Consolidation:
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Memory occurs with the increase number of stable
synapses between many neurons.
Controlled by the hippocampus
Long-term Potentiation (LTP): The enhancement in
efficiency of the synapse between neurons.
Multiple processing systems in the brain are
involved in learning and consolidation and LTP
occurs over long periods of time throughout the
brain.
Memory Dysfunctions
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Alzheimer's Disease
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Amnesia
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1 in 5 in 75-84 age group
50% of those 85 and over
(May be related to low production of beta amyloid)
Retrograde amnesia – Unable to remember past (rare)
Anterograde amnesia – Unable to remember current
things
Korsakoff’s Disease
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Afflicts long-term alcoholics
Normal vs. Alzheimer’s Disease
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Normal forgetfulness:
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Forgetting parts of an experience
Forgetting where the car is parked
Forgetting events from the distant past
Forgetting a person's name, remembering it later
Memory loss due to Alzheimer's disease:
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Dr. Alois Alzheimer
identifed first Alzheimer’s
patient in 1901.
Forgetting an entire experience
Forgetting how to drive a car
Forgetting recent events
Forgetting ever having known a particular person
Causes changes in both thinking (cognition) and behavior or
personality.
Mild Alzheimer's Disease
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Difficulty learning and remembering new
information
Difficulty managing finances, planning meals,
taking medication on schedule
Depression symptoms (sadness, decreased
interest in usual activities, loss of energy)
Still able to do most activities such as driving
a car
Gets lost going to familiar places
Moderate Alzheimer's Disease
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Forgetting old facts
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Difficulty performing tasks
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Following written notes
Using the shower and toilet
Common behavioral symptoms
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Continually repeats stories and/or asks the same questions over
and over
Makes up stories to fill gaps
Agitation
Restlessness, repetitive movements
Wandering
Paranoia, delusions, hallucinations
Deficits in intellect and reasoning
Lack of concern for appearance, hygiene, and sleep
Severe Alzheimer's Disease
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Failure to recognize family or faces
May groan, scream, mumble, or speak gibberish
Common behavioral symptoms
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Refuses to eat
Inappropriately cries out
Difficulty with walking and all essential activities
of daily living
Often suffer complications from other illnesses,
such as pneumonia.