Mem·or·y

AP PsychologyMrs. VanCoughnett

• Memory (n.) – learning that has persisted over time

DON’T READ ME! SERIOUSLY! I AM DANGEROUS TO YOUR HEALTH!

Finding Nemo Clip

Models of Memory Processing

PROCESS HUMAN BRAIN COMPUTER

ENCODE:

STORAGE:

RETRIEVE:

- Forming memories

Use the self-referencing effect to relate each of these encoding methods to YOU!

EXAMPLES:

- Retaining information

Short-Term

Long-Term

• 10-30 SECONDS• Magical Number

Seven (+/- 2)• Requires rehearsal•Primacy & recency

effects

• UNLIMITED•LTP (long-term

potentiation): physical basis of memory

•Flashbulb memories•Seratonin & glutamate

may play roles•Emotions & Stress!

Is the brain like a filing cabinet??

Your friend tells you that her father experienced brain damage in an accident. She wonders if psychology can explain why he can still play checkers very well, but has a hard time holding a sensible conversation. What can you tell her?

-Getting information out

• What is the difference between RECALL and RECOGNITION?

• Does it take you more time or less time to retrieve information already learned? Why? (RELEARNING)

• How does the following quote relate to RETRIEVAL CUES?

“Memory is not like a container that gradually fills up; it is more like a tree growing hooks onto which memories are hung.”

• Describe what PRIMING is based on the following example. Ask your neighbor the following questions: 1) How do you pronounce the

word spelled by the letters “s-h-o-p?” 2) What do you do when you come to a green light? If they say “STOP,” you have demonstrated priming.

• Ebbinghaus “Forgetting Curve”• The Seven Sins of Memory (Schacter, 1999)

▫ Absent-Mindedness▫ Transience▫ Blocking▫ Misattribution▫ Suggestibility▫ Bias▫ Persistence

• Interference▫ Proactive (old vs. new), Retroactive (new vs. old)

1. Repeat, active, spaced study2. Make material meaningful3. Activate retrieval cues4. Use mnemonic devices5. Minimize interference6. Sleep more7. Test yourself

Amazing Memories

• Musical Savant• Artistic Savant• Telephone Directory• Mnemonic Wizards

More Information• Memory Gym• Musical Genius: Video Clip• HowStuffWorks – Human Memory

If you have links, or find information along the way, post the link on our Engrade DB, and I will add it here!