Memory: Unit 7

The information processing model views human (and computer) memory as a system that encodes, stores, and retrieves bits of information. In humans, information processing occurs in three systems: sensory memory, short-term memory, long-term memory.

Memory - The process by which we recollect prior experiences, information, and skills learned in the past.

The Three 3’s of Memory3 Kinds3 Processes3 Stages

3 Kinds of Memory

Episodic-specific events Flashbulb memories- event is so important that

we remember every detail Usually arouse powerful feelings

Semantic-general memory George Washington 1st President Alphabet and most school work Usually don’t remember WHEN we learned it

Implicit-not clearly stated Skills or procedures you have learned Usually stays with you for many years

Riding a bike, making tamales, setting up a tent

3 Memory Processes

Encoding-translation of information into a form in which it can be stored. Physical stimulation into mental representations.

Visual codes-remembering via mental pictures Acoustic codes-remembering via sounds Semantic codes-remembering via meaning

Storage-the maintenance of encoded information over a period of time.

Retrieval-locating stored information and returning it to conscious thought

Encoding examples-Mnemonics

Name all of the Great Lakes.

Encoding examples-Mnemonics“H.O.M.E.S.”

How many can you remember? Visual Code exampleNumber a sheet of paper 1-10. Title it “Memory Activities”

1. Cat2. Book3. Snake4. Leaf 5. Sun6. Pills7. Tree8. Snow9. Happy10. Train

Peg Word System (context clues/visual code)

1. “Bun”

2. “Shoe”

3. “Tree”

4. “Door”

5. “Hive”

6. “Sticks”

7. “Heaven”

8. “Gate”

9. “Wine”

10. “Hen”

How many can you remember NOW?

1. Desk2. Necklace3. Fish4. Tent5. Sidewalk6. Rain7. Burger8. Apple9. Watch10. Skip

3 Stages of Memory

Sensory Memory Short-term Memory Long-term Memory

Three Stage Process of Memory

Sensory Memory

The immediate, initial recording of sensory information in the memory system.

Stored just for an instant, and most gets unprocessed.

¼-3 secondsWalking from 1st to 2nd period.

Sensory memory

Iconic memory - a momentary sensory memory of visual stimuli, a photograph-like quality lasting only about a second. Visual sensory memory.

Echoic memory - for auditory stimuli. If you are not paying attention to someone, you can still recall the last few words said in the past three or four seconds. Auditory sensory memory.

Short Term Memory

Memory that holds a few items briefly.Phone number, web address, etc.

The info will be stored in long-term memory or be forgotten.

18-60 secondsRehearsal - You must repeat

things over and over to put them into your long-term memory.

Short Term Memory

A.K.A …WORKING MEMORY

Another way of describing the use of short-term memory is called working memory.

Short Term Memory

How many bits of information can we hold in there? Get out your “Memory Activities” paper.

STM Capacity Activity I will read several groupings of numbers, to which

you should listen carefully without writing anything. After each series, I will ask you to use your memory to write down the numbers in the order that I read them. Remember, do not write anything until I tell you to do so.

Estimate your personal immediate memory span. IF you mess up on getting 6 numbers correct, your PIMS

would be 5.

925 3 8642 4 37654 5 627418 6 0401473 7 19223530 8 486854332 9 2531971768 10 85129619450 11 918546942937 12

Short Term Memory Capacity

“The Magical Number 7, Plus or Minus Two”

George Miller7 items, plus or minus 2The set of numbers preceding your 1st

mistake represents your personal immediate memory span.

Short Term Memory

Your phone number, student ID #, etc. Demonstration volunteers?

information held can be increased if it is organized into chunks of meaningful information.

chunking - organizing items into familiar, manageable units.

Chunk- from Goonies

ChunkingFirst row makes little sense to us….but when we chunk the characters differently they become easy to remember.

Chunking

Which is easier to remember?HO TB UT TE RE DP OP CO RN IN AB OWLHOT BUTTERED POPCORN IN A

BOWL

Memory Demonstration

You will see/hear a list of words, then you will have 30 seconds to write down as many of the words you can recall. Carefully listen first…Do not write until I tell you to!

Bed

Quilt

Dark

Silence

Fatigue

Clock

Snoring

Night

Toss

Tired

Night

Artichoke

Turn

Night

Rest

Dream

Begin writing-you have 30 seconds

How many recalled “sleep?” Constructive memory-this word was not on the list!

How many recalled “toss” and “turn?” Chunking

How many recalled “night?” Rehearsal

How many recalled “artichoke?” Semantic distinctiveness

Serial position effects

Our tendency to best recall the first and last items in a list.primacy effect - the enhanced ability

to recall items from the beginning of the list.

Bed, quilt, darkrecency effect - the enhanced ability

to recall items from the end of the list.Night, rest, dream