MemoryUnit 6

What is memory?The ability to remember the things that we have

experienced, imagined, and learned

Explained using Information Processing Model Sensory Register- entry points for raw information

from the sensesProcesses far more than we can “selectively attend”

toShort Term/Working Memory- “selective attention”Long Term Memory- limitless memory bank

Sensory Registers Iconic Memory

We hold images that we see very briefly in our sensory register

Stare forward then quickly close your eyes- image will remain in mind and then fades quickly

Sperling and the 12 lettersWait one second before asking a subject to recall

letters and they remember 1-2 rather than 3-4“Masking” happens when we get new sensory

information

Sensory Registers Echoic Memory

Auditory information echoes in our ears for a short period of time

For a few moments, we can recover what we just heard even if we didn’t consciously process it

Fades more slowly than iconic memory

Short-Term MemoryWe can only “selectively attend” to a small

amount of sensory information

The important information that we want to process then enters our Short Term, or Working Memory

Stores information briefly in order to “work on it”

We also retrieve information from long-term memory and process it in working memory

Short-Term MemoryIs very limited- When you focus, you need to

shut other stimuli out so your STM doesn’t get “crowded”

Capacity:As much information that can be repeated or

rehearsed in 1.5 to 2 seconds7 bits of information plus or minus 2

Demonstration: STM

CXW

MNKTY

RPJHBZS

GBMPVQFJD

EGQWJPBRHKA

STM Capacity: 7 +/- 2 (5-9 bits)

6129643

9736129643

Demonstration: STM and Chunking

TFIJFKBYMCAV

Demonstration: STM and Chunking

TV FBI JFK YMCA

Demonstration: STM and Chunking

Memorize these numbers:

1945181217762012

Did you chunk ‘em????

1945 1812 1776 2012

Demonstration: STM and ChunkingSwan, Goat, Cardboard, Boat, River, Bird, Music

The swan tugged the goat in a cardboard boat across the river while the bird sang sweet music from above.

?????

EncodingHow can we make sure we are thoroughly

processing information in short term memory?

For instance, if we need to memorize that the Enola Gay dropped the A-Bomb on Japan, what can we do to remember this?

Dual Encoding: Hear the words, then imagine a mental picture of what you are trying to learn.

Try this: John Quincy Adams enjoyed bathing nude in the Potamac.

Bottom line: APPLY AS MANY MEANINGS AS POSSIBLE TO INFORMATION YOU NEED TO ENCODE!

Encoding, then keeping it there!!!!

STM is fleeting

To hold information in STM, we can use rote rehearsal- repeating information over and over again

Even better than this is elaborate rehearsal- applying meaning, then rehearsing.

Rote rehearsal: A, B, C, D, E, F, G…. A, B, C, D, E, F, G… MVEMJSUNP

Elaborative rehearsal: Apple, Banana, Carrot, Dog, Elephant, Frog, Goat Apple, Banana, Carrot, Dog, Elephant, Frog, Goat My Very Excellent Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas

Homework: Remember these words.

Ladybug, Orange, Sweater, Grass, Bicycle, Planet, Iguana, Lake, Pencil, Laughter