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

• 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:Short-Term Memory

• Relatively permanently storage based upon meaning and importance

Storage:Long-Term Memory

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– 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– 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