5. Encoding & Learning Flashcards
Massing vs spacing
Spacing of time is more advantageous than massing at one single time
Cramming leaves less time for forgetting but leads to short lived memories
Spaced learning sessions are more effective than massed learning trials
Why spacing improves learning
Temporal distinctiveness: inter fence reduction, better consolidation and shin from remember to know
There is diminished attention is massed items due to high familiarity
Learning may be a function of memory’s level of accessibility when relearned, the less accessible the more learning occurs when restudied –> spacing decreases accessibility over time, therefore increasing the learning opportunities
Retrieval effect on memory
Testing yourself strengthens memories more than restudying items
?reflect retrieval effort
? Transfer appropriate processing (testing yourself is learning it in the same way it will be retrieved)
Levels of processing
Shallow, deep, semantic
The higher the level of processing, the stronger the memory store
EXCEPT rhyming which is shallow but has good recall
PROBLEMS
transfer appropriate processing is a good recall cue even if it’s shallow
Doesn’t explain the phenomenon
Encoding specificity
When the cues present at encoding match those at retrieval
Transfer appropriate processing
A kind of encoding specificity
When the method of processing at encoding is the same at retrieval
Organisation
Organising knowledge into groups or hierarchies aids recall
Only possible with some prior knowledge
Knowledge is power
Having a degree of existing knowledge on the memory allows organisation of it
Chess experiment, experts chunked using LTM knowledge
Works in LTM too.. Reflects organisation and distinctiveness
Von restorff effect
Items are better remembered when they are distinctive and stand out from similar material
Effect not in hpc amnesics
Curiosity
Memory is superior when curious about the learning
fMRI scans show activation of reward centres
Involves the hpc and dopaminergic circuit
Pay attention
Attention is more important at encoding than retrieval to make meaningful stores
May help use elaborating encoding strategies which boost performance
Retrieval can happen fairly automatic if cues are available
But which method is best???
Practice and distributed practice!
Errorless learning
Don’t give people a chance to learn things wrong
Improves memory for amnesics
Not always for healthy individuals because it also decreases their level of processing and reduces retrieval practise
Sleep
Sleep improves consolidation (different forms) and enhances declarative and procedural memory
Effects can be seen for years later especially for emotional material (maybe stop Pete sleeping to reduce PTSD)
Practice makes perfect
Learning is time dependent
More initial repetitions, the more learning - linear relationship
