Memory & Problem Solving

Chapter 10

Acquiring, Processing,

and Retaining Information

3 Steps Input: Information people receive from

their senses.Central Processing: Storing (Memory)

and sorting (thought) the information.Output: Ideas and actions that result.

Taking Information In

2 processes (steps) help people narrow sensory inputs to a manageable number.

SELECTIVE ATTENTION The ability to choose among the various

available inputs. “Cocktail-Party Phenomenon”

TOP-PRIORITY Hunger Strange Interest

FEATURE EXTRACTION Locating the outstanding characteristics of

incoming information. Experience helps! The identification of anything.

Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtsy, it deosn’t mttaer waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmaotnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a total mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm.

STORING INFORMATIONMemory3 types

1. Sensory StorageYour senses holds information for an

instant.Ex. Movie Frames

Experiment - cover lens!

T D R

S R N

F Z K

2. SHORT–TERM MEMORYKeeps information in mind about 20

seconds.

Rehearsal: Repeating information to self (Ex. Paying close attention).

Chunking: Limited capacity of 7 bits of information.

Ex. 5556794 = 555-6794 or 555-67-94

3. LONG-TERM MEMORYStore information for future use. Involves all sensory processes.

Declarative memory Semantic: A network and associations of facts,

concepts and skills. Language, rules words and meanings.

Episodic: Concrete information, personal experiences. Memories of ones life.

Procedural: Concrete, executable procedures stored in memory, Learned skills

RECOGNITIONHuman memory is organized to make

recognition easy.Single item is under several headings.

Ex. WWSHS, Multiple choice test, Mug shot or Line up.

RECALLThe active reconstruction of information.Knowledge, attitudes and expectationsEssay test, Police sketch.

EIDETIC MEMORYPhotographic memory.Usually Children.How many white

stripes on the cats tail?

Proactive InterferenceAn early memory blocks out a more

recent memory.2013 v. 2014

Retroactive MemoryA Recent memory blocks out an older

memory.Ex. New locker combo.

CONFABULATION

*Remembering information not stored in memory.

*Categorical intrusion.

Bed, rest, tired, wake, night, dream, eat, comfort, awake, sound, slumber, snore.

“Sleep” 50% to 75% will recall – but, not on list.

THINKINGChanging and reorganizing information

stored in memory to create new information.

Different units of thought include images, symbols, concepts,prototypes, and rules.

DIRECTED THINKINGA systematic and logical attempt to

reach a specific goal.Symbols, concepts and rules.Ex. Math, crosswords.

NONDIRECTED THINKINGFree flow of thoughts with no goal or

plan. “Creativity is the residue of time

wasted.” ImagesEx. Daydreaming, Brainstorming.

PROBLEM SOLVINGStrategies: Specific methods for

approaching problems.Set: Useful strategies become

cemented into the problem solving process.

Rigidity:When a set interferes with problem solving.

CREATIVITYThe ability to use information in such a

way that the result is somehow NEW, ORIGINAL and MEANINGFUL.

Can you Solve this?A man in Wheaton,

IL has married 20 women. All of the women are still alive, and none of them is divorced. The man has broken no laws. Who is the man?

Can you Solve this?People were given a candle, matches

and a box of tacks and asked to attach the candle to a corkboard wall so that the candle would burn without dripping wax on the floor.

3 components FLEXIBILITY: The ability to overcome

rigidity.

RECOMBINATION: A new mental rearrangement of the elements.

INSIGHT: “Aha experience” The sudden emergence of a solution by the recombination of the elements.