Download improving memory

Warm Up
Describe (or sketch) in as much detail as
possible, what a penny looks like.
(Without looking at one!)
Maintaining Long-Term Memory
• Rote rehearsal
– Repetition can result in long-term
memory
– Only effective if there is intent to learn
material
– Example: What does a penny look like?
Outline
AP Psychology
Unit 3: Memory (Cognition)
Essential Task 3-2:
Outline principles that help improve memory functioning at each stage:
encoding - attention, chunking, serial positioning effect, deep versus shallow
processing, and rote rehearsal
storage - decay theory, elaborative rehearsal, spacing effect, method of loci, and link
method
retrieval - retroactive interference, proactive interference
Information Processing
Model
1. Encoding
gone
Long Term
Memory
2. Storage
3. Retrieval
All the rest
We are
here
External
Stimuli
Sensory
Registers
Retrieval
Short Term
Memory
Essential
Task
3-2:
Outline
• Improving Encoding
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Improving storage
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•
attention
chunking
serial positioning effect
Schemata and Hierarchy
deep versus shallow processing
decay theory
spacing effect
Rote rehearsal vs. elaborative rehearsal
Mnemonics like method of loci and link method
Retrieval
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Retrieval Cues and Priming
Situational factors
State dependent
Allow for Parallel Processing
Overcoming retroactive interference
Overcoming proactive interference
Improving Encoding
Outline
Attention? Pay Attention
• You can consciously decide to pay
attention to something.
• If you don’t pay attention it won’t
enter your STM and never get to your
IPM.
Outline
Mnemonic
Any learning technique that aids
information retention
Chunking
• The grouping of information into
meaningful units for easier handling by
short term memory.
• M-S-N-N-A-S-A-C-I-A-C-O-M
Or
• MSN NASA CIA COM
Outline
SPE Recall Activity:
Dream
Rest
Turn
Pineapple
Tired
Toss
Night
Snoring
Clock
Fatigue
Silence
Dark
Quilt
Bed
Serial Position Effect
• People tend to recall the first items
(primacy effect) and last items (recency
effect) in a list
• short- and long-term memory working
together
– Primacy effect reflects LTM
– Recency effect reflects STM
Outline
Serial Position Effect
Outline
Schemata
• A schema is a set of beliefs or expectations about
something based on past experience
• Incoming information is fit with existing schemata
• Schemata can also influence the amount of
attention paid to a given event
• Reconstruction
– Memories can be altered with each retrieval
– We do this to keep the schemata of our self and our
environment
Outline
Hierarchy
Complex information broken down into
broad concepts and further subdivided
into categories and subcategories.
Encoding Summarized in a
Hierarchy
Processing Activity
Group A vs. Group B
Group A:
You are to count the number of
syllables in each of the words
from a list I am about to read out
loud. Keep a running total in
mind as the list is read. I will tell
you when I am finished, and at
that point you are to write down
the total number of syllables in
the words from the list.
Outline
Group B:
You are about to hear a list of
words. As each word is
spoken, rate (in your mind,
not on the paper) its value to
a person stranded on a desert
island on a scale of 1-5, with
five being the most useful.
Deep vs. Shallow Processing
Deep Processing analyzes meaning
Shallow processing does not.
Outline
Improving Storage
Outline
Decay Theory
• Argues that the passage of time causes
forgetting.
• The longer information is not accessed,
increases the chances of forgetting it.
Outline
Spacing Effect
•Distributing rehearsal is better than
practicing all at once.
– You can memorize a poem a lot easier if
you break it down into 5 parts over 5 days
instead of all at once.
Maintaining Long-Term Memory
• Rote Rehearsal
• Elaborative rehearsal
Outline
Link Method:
Create and link visual images to help you
remember
• First imagine a silly, memorable image that represents
the type of list you want to remember. Also include in this
image the first item on the list (see below for example).
This image is your header for the list.
• Think of another silly, memorable image that links the first
item on the list to the second item and so on.
Outline
Method of Loci
• memorize the layout of some building, or any geographical entity
which is composed of a number of distinct loci.
• When desiring to remember a set of items the subject literally 'walks'
through these loci and commits an item to each one by forming an
image between the item and any distinguishing feature of that locus.
• http://youtu.be/6JnDBYf9odc
Outline
Improving Retrieval
Outline
Retrieval Cues
Memories are held in storage by a web of
associations. These associations are like anchors
that help retrieve memory.
water
smell
fire
smoke
Fire Truck
heat
truck
red
hose
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.
Where and when matters
• Context-dependent memory
– Recall of information is better if environment is
the same as when information was learned
• State-dependent memory
– Recall of information is better if person is in the
same physiological (internal) state as when
information was learned
External vs Internal Factors
Parallel Processing
• Tip of the Tongue Phenomenon: is when
you can almost recall something, but can’t
quite get it.
– If you leave it your brain will continue to work
on this problem eventually surfacing with the
answer.
– Thus you later yell out the name of the actor
and everyone looks at you like you are odd.
Interference
• Retroactive interference
– Occurs when new information interferes
with old information (already in memory)
– Retro=old
– new information is interfering with old
Outline
Try remembering the following
number
• 8132163
• Ok that was easy because nothing
interfered with you.
Outline
Now let’s try some interference
• 4982631
• First, consistent with cognitive dissonance theories,
we are able to induce optimism or pessimism with the
initial (random) wage assignment. With respect to the
first-stage task, this implies that we can successfully
manipulate one’s ability-beliefs in the lab. Secondly,
subjects who received this low piece-rate in stage one
were willing to accept significantly lower offers in a
second-stage ultimatum game. This finding is striking,
demonstrating the presence of both belief
manipulation and spillovers of those beliefs into
behavioral outcomes in an unrelated and distinct
experimental environment.
Outline
Retroactive Interference
Sleep helps prevent retroactive
interference. Therefore, it leads to better
recall.
Outline
Interference
• Proactive interference
– Information in memory makes it difficult
to recall new info.
– The old information already in your LTM
interferes.
– Tough teaching an old dog new tricks
Outline
I need a volunteer that knows
their colors.
• Don’t read the words, just say the
colors they’re printed in and as fast
as you can
• This is called the stroop effect
– interference in the reaction time of a
task.
Outline
Red
Yellow
Green
Blue
Red
Blue
Yellow
Green
Blue
Red
Interference
• When you look at the words you see
both its color and meaning.
• When they are in conflict you must
make a choice
• Experience has taught you that word
meaning is more important than color
so you retrieve that information.
• You are not always in complete
control of what you pay attention to.
Outline
Concept Map
• Using your notes, create a concept
map or hierarchy to organize your
information on memory.
• Suggested (but not required)
subcategories:
-Encoding
-Forgetting
-Storage
-Name Hall of Fame (People)
-Retrieval