SD 142 – Catherine M. Burns

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Memory

Text p.128-143

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Information Processing Model

models human thought like its a computer

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Sensory Register

Perception

Thought Decision Making

Response Selection

Response Execution

Attention Resources

Working Memory

Long Term

Memory

feedback

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SensorsFeature Detectors, Pattern Recognition AI System

Output Routines

Output, Motor actions

Controller

RAM

Disk storage

feedback

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Memory is “knowledge in the head” Generate a list of things that are hard to

remember.

Exercise

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Exercise P2

Beside each of the last items list where you go to find that information.

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Short term or Working memory

A few seconds long “just said” Limited, 7 plus or minus 2 Relies on visualizing, rehearsing, hearing to

maintain longer You’ll forget it if distracted

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How Working Memory Works

Executive component

Visuospatial sketch pad

Phonological Loop

Mental maps, mental rotation, construction

Verbal, sounds, rehearsal

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Making the Most of Working Memory

Strategy 1:Chunking Expand on 7+/- 2 by making those elements

larger 7 letters, 7 words, 7 sentences etc. Examples:

SIN #

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Making the Most of Working Memory

Strategy 2: Maintenance Rehearsal Reactivate items in short term memory “Subvocal articulation” (say it in your head)

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Making the Most of Working Memory

Strategy 3: Make items to be kept in memory very different from each other Example: sounds

EGBDVCENWRUJ

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Making the Most of Working Memory

Strategy 4: Pay attention Diverting attention ends rehearsal and starts

decay Diversion to a similar type of information (e.g.

#s to #s makes it worse

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Long term memory

Memory for the past Learning, education, training Two kinds

Semantic memory: general memory for facts or procedures

Event memory: memory of a specific event

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Mechanisms of Long Term Memory

Strength is a function of frequency and recency of use Use it or lose it Frequency Example: rarely used passwords Recency Example: studying the night before an

exam

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Mechanisms of Long Term Memory

Associations Memory is made of items but also links to

other items Memory for associations behaves like

memory for items Example: remembering an item but not its

name.

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Mechanisms of Long Term Memory

Forgetting Item strength decays exponentially New items replace old items Recall degrades faster than recognition

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Another look at Memory

Memory of what? Meaningful things vs. Arbitrary things

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Things we ask people to remember

Meaningful things Have their own structure Less effortful Use structure to generate details

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Arbitrary things

Learned by rote, or association with song (think alphabet)

May need memory aids (think phone books)

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Improving Memory

Transfer knowledge from the head to the world

Reduce the number of arbitrary associations Put structure and meaning in the world when

there is a lot of detail

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Study Tips Based on Memory Maximization

1. Learn in chunks. Chunk up to 7 chunks.2. Rehearse in your head.3. Pay close attention to similar sounding or looking items.4. Focus while studying. Don’t allow interruptions.5. Study the night before. Recency.6. Practice work often. Frequency.7. Develop your own connection to the work.8. Appreciate multiple choice exams. Recognition is easier than

recall.9. Understand meaning when possible.10. If arbitrary use a pnemonic or song.