Unit VII: Cognition · 2014-12-08 · Unit VII: Cognition Module 32 Memory Storage & Retrieval....

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Unit VII:CognitionModule 32

Memory Storage & Retrieval

Long-Term Memory 32-1

Long-Term Memory

• Long-term memory capacity is essentially limitless

• Memories are not stored in just one location in the brain: many parts of the brain interact as we encode, store, and retrieve information

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Explicit Memory: Frontal Lobes & Hippocampus

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Frontal Lobes & Hippocampus

• The brain network that processes and stores explicit memories includes the your frontal lobes and hippocampus

• During sleep the hippocampus processes memories for alter retrieval

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Implicit Memory: Cerebellum & Basal Ganglia

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Information Processing

• The cerebellum plays a key role in forming and storing the implicit memories created by classical conditioning

• The basal ganglia facilitate formation of procedural memories for skills

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Amygdala, Emotions & Memory 32-4

Stress Hormones & Memory

• Stress hormones provoke the amygdala to initiate a memory trace to boost activity in the brain’s memory-forming areas.

• Heightened emotions (stress-related or otherwise) make for stronger memories.

• Flashbulb memories are clear, vivid memories of emotionally significant moments or events.

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Synaptic Changes 32-5

Synaptic Changes

• Long-Term Potentiation (LTP) refers to an increase in a synapse’s firing potential after learning (Lynch, 2002).

• An increase in neurotransmitter release or receptors on the receiving neuron indicates strengthening of synapses.

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Measuring Retention 32-6

Measures of Memory

In recall, the person must retrieve information using effort.

(A fill-in-the blank test requires recall.)

1. The capital of France is ______.

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Measures of Memory

In recognition, the person must identify an item amongst other choices. (A multiple-choice test

requires recognition.)

1. Name the capital of France.a. Brusselsb. Romec. Londond. Paris

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Measures of Memory

In relearning, the individual shows how much time (or effort) is saved when learning material for the second time.

ListJetDaggerTreeKite…SilkFrogRing

It took 10 trialsto learn this list

ListJetDaggerTreeKite…SilkFrogRing

It took 5 trialsto learn the list

1 day laterSaving

OriginalTrials

RelearningTrials

RelearningTrials

10 5

10

50%

X 100

X 100

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Retrieval Cues 32-7

Retrieval Cues

Memories are held in storage by a web of associations. These associations are like anchors that help retrieve memory.

Fire Truck

truck

red

fire

heatsmoke

smellwater

hose

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Priming

To retrieve a specific memory from the web of associations, you must first activate one of the strands that leads to it. This process is called

priming.

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Context Effects

Putting yourself back in the context where you experienced something can prime your memory retrieval.

Scuba divers recall more words underwater if they learned the list underwater, while they recall more words on land if they learned that list on land (Godden & Baddeley, 1975).

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Moods and Memories

We usually recall experiences that are consistent with our current mood (state-dependent memory).

Emotions, or moods, serve as retrieval cues. Our memories are mood-congruent.

Jorg

en S

chytte/ S

till Pictu

res

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