Memory retrieval

Memory Retrieval

and

Problems with Remembering

Forgetting

Forgetting

Not being able to actively tap into a stored memory can be a result of;

Decay

Interference

Repression (Freudian theory)

Forgetting; Amnesia

Amnesia is a loss of memory that may occur due to physical damage to the brain or severe psychological stress.

Infant Amnesia refers to the lack of memories from birth to age 2 or 3; it is usually thought that this is due to lack of verbal understanding or underdevelopment of the memory producing areas of the brain.

Retrograde (forgetting before the onset) vs. Anteriograde (forgetting after the onset)

Forgetting; Decay

Decay; Over time some input will fade away, things in sensory and short term memory decay very quickly, however barring physical damage many believe that long-term memories never fully decay.

It is thought that long term memory can only be lost track of either through interference or repression

Forgetting; Repression

Repression;

Freud’s idea that some memories are so painful that they are “forgotten” to avoid having to deal with that pain.

Introduction & Overview

Remembering;

Forgetting ; Interference

Guided Notes #3

Interference: Just like it sounds, this is a memory being blocked in one of two ways.

Proactive Interference is when an earlier memory blocks you from remembering related new information. (Teacher can’t remember new names because old ones pop up)

Retroactive Interference is when a later memory or new information blocks you from remembering information learned earlier. (Teacher can’t remember old names because new ones pop up)

Recognition v. Recall

Relearning

The way memory is organized is quite efficient.

Although information you have stored may not be immediately accessible if it is coming from a long way back, (or an unimportant event) we can almost always recognize what we are looking for when we see it.

This is the difference between Recall, the actual retrieval of information stored in the memory of previously learned material, vs. Recognition, memory retrieval in which a person identifies an object, idea or situation as one he or she has or has not experienced before.

Main Ideas;

Stored memory can be retrieved by;

Recognition

Recall

Relearning

Once something has been entered into memory, even if it cannot be immediately recalled is usually available to be tapped for relearning. In this case someone who has “known” something in the past will need less rehearsal or recitation in order to recall it in the future.

State dependant memories

AKA

Mood congruent memories

AKA

"the beerfest effect"

Information that is only (or more easily,) remembered when you are in a certain state, physically or mentally is said to be a state-dependent memory.

Sometimes certain physiological or emotional states serve as cues to help you recall information

Recognition v. Recall con't

Introduction;

Objectives;

After Memory....

Recognition is like a multiple choice test.

Recall is like a fill in the blank test, without a word bank.

Recall therefore is much more complex and can involve a number of aids and interferences.

The amazing human brain!!!

Identify several memory retrieval processes.

Explain the process involved in forgetting.

More Memory "issues'

Everything we experience in a day, awake and asleep has the ability to enter into our thoughts and our memories.

Only a small portion of all that we sense ever makes it to our long term memory, but even that small amount every day adds up to millions of bits of information.

How are we then able to find that one bit we need at the time that we need it?

The key is organization, but exactly how?

Even psychologists do not yet know.

Improving Memory

We also often reconstruct our memories in order to better fit our Schemas, our conceptual frameworks of the world. So, rather than change our view of the world we change our view of the event. (think two fans on the same play)

Some people however have eidetic Memories, a.k.a. photographic memories; they do not use reconstructive memories but instead have the ability to clearly recall a specific thing even if it was only experienced for a brief moment

Memory "issues"

Improving Memory;

Overview

Reconstructive memory is an example of both an aid and a possible problem. Since we do not remember every word of every conversation we often use our attitudes and experiences to simplify, which can enrich or distort the memory.

One possible problem with this is called confabulation, this is the process of filling in the gaps of our memories, so you “remember” information that you never really stored.

To improve memory you must actively work to organize information in efficient groups.

-Meaningfulness & Associations

-Mnemonic Devices

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Mnemonic Devices

Meaninfulness

& Associations

Using different methods to remember something can be useful in the storage and retrieval of information.

The simplest method is Elaborate Rehearsal which involves linking new information to material that is already known. (like w/ the #’s)

To make things even more easily accessible they can be associated with a strong emotional experience. (2013?)

The more categories that a memory is indexed under the more accessible it is.

Any techniques that are used for associations to memorize information are called Mnemonic Devices.

Some examples;

Method of Loci: Using locations to remember things, either in a mental representation, or by associating them with being in a specific place.

Mental Pictures: Creating visuals that link certain words together.

Story lines / chaining: Each “thing” that you need to remember is part of a sequential (usually silly) story that you create to insert your storyline.

Acronyms and acrostics: Taking the first letters from words to memorize and making them into a new word (acronym) or a sentence (acrostic).

These devices are not magical, all require mental effort and extra work, but they are more efficient that rote memorization.