MEMORYChatelech Secondary School

A. Beckingham

Where we’re headed…

1. Long-term memory types2. Where is memory stored?3. Retrieval

Levels-of-processing theory

Long-term memory: digging deeperLong-term memory modules (or types)

Declarative memory Memory for factual information: names, faces, dates, and the like.

Semantic memory Memory for general knowledge and facts about the world, as well as memory for the rules of logic that are used to deduce other facts.

Episodic memory Memory for events that occur in a particular time, place, or context.

Procedural memory Memory for skills and habits, such as riding a bike or hitting a baseball; sometimes referred to as nondeclarative memory.

Long-term Memory

Declarative Memory• factual information

Procedural Memory• skills and habits

Semantic Memory• general memory

Episodic Memory• personal knowledge

Semantic Network

Where we’re headed…

1. Long-term memory types2. Where is memory stored?3. Retrieval

Levels-of-processing theory

Where is memory located?

• The mechanisms of memory are poorly understood

• physical trace of a memory = an engram.

Most scientists agree that there are engrams, however their exact

mechanism and location is a point of debate and continued research.

Three theories on memory

Physical theory of memory:

Nervous impulses pass through a certain group of neurons (nervous cells) and invoke electrical and mechanical changes in points of their contact leaving a physical trace. These changes let the following impulse follow the same route, thus enabling memorization.

Three theories on memory

Biochemical theory of memory:

A two-staged theory of memory. 1. A short reaction takes place in the brain

(about several seconds), which causes physiological changes. These changes are reversible and represent the mechanism of short-term memory.

2. The second, biochemical stage, new proteins are formed. This stage leads to irreversible changes in nervous cells and is reckoned to present the mechanism of long-term memory.

Three theories on memory

Psychological: Associative Theory of Memory

The mechanism of association consists of building a link between impressions and certain connection to other things.

This theory has also established the basis for almost all mnemonic techniques.

Medial temporal lobe• Hippocampus• Amygdala

Where is memory located?

Hippocampus• aids in the initial

encoding of information • to the cerebrum for

storage

Amygdala• especially involved in

memories involving emotion

How are researchers learning about memory storage?London cab drivers have to have a detailed

memory of the maze of streets in a six-mile radius of the city centre. This takes years to learn.

Psychologist have used MRI brain scans to determine where this immense spatial memory is stored.

The results:

Where we’re headed…

1. Long-term memory types2. Where is memory stored?3. Retrieval

Levels-of-processing theory

Retrieval Test

INDIVIDUALLY: write down the names of the 7 dwarves from Snow White

Again, name the seven dwarves pictured here

GoofySleepySmartySmileyScaredyDopeyGrumpyWheezy

BashfulMeanieDocHappy AngrySneezyCrazyCoughy

This time, pick the correct names of the seven dwarves from the list…

GoofySleepySmartySmileyScaredyDopeyGrumpyWheezy

BashfulMeanieDocHappy AngrySneezyCrazyCoughy

Which recall test was easier?

Recall: Memory task in which specific information must be retrieved. (E.g. fill-in the blank questions on unit tests)

Retrieval cue: a stimulus that allows us to recall more easily information that is in long-term memory. It may be a word, an emotion, a sound, a smell, a visual cue, etc.

Recognition: Memory task in which individuals are presented with a stimulus and asked whether they have been exposed to it in the past or to identify it from a list of alternatives. (E.g. Multiple choice questions, or fill-in the blank with a word bank)

How is initial processing related to recall?

dogShallow processing: physical and sensory aspects only; recognize black shapes on a white background

Intermediate processing: shapes translated into meaningful unit (letters); recognition of word; connection to phonetic sounds; etc.

Deep processing: meaning is analyzed and connected to prior knowledge; connections to personal memories; etc.

The levels-of-processing theory emphasizes the degree

to which new material is mentally analyzed as the key determinant of recall ability.

It suggests that the amount of information processing that

occurs when material is initially encountered is central in determining how much of the information is ultimately

remembered.

Let’s recall…

What were the two major types of long-term memory?

And the two sub-types?

What is an engram?

What parts of the brain did we learn about?

What’s the difference between recall and recognition?

What can help people with recollection?

Describe the levels-of-processing theory.