5. Everyday Memory: Memory Traces and Memory Schemas Flashcards
1
Q
conceptualization of memory
A
- memory based on recall of memory traces
- distinct, permanent copies of previous experiences
- RECALL Logan’s theory of automatization
- memory = schematic
- relies on fragments to support a new construction
- RECALL prototypical representations from perceptual theories (prototypes)
- more divits, more experience
2
Q
general properties of memory
A
- selection
- the whale swims in the ocean - abstraction
- whale, swims - interpretation
- whale = aquatic mammal - integration
- whale is a fish (NOT)
**we never remember the same thing the same way!
** memory systems are constantly stripping away extraneous info to free up space, BUT this can cause problems
3
Q
general properties of memory: selection
A
- subset of info is selected from what is perceived and recalled
- Anderson and Pichert (1978) showed that inds. select information as they received and recalled it
- inds. read paragraph from point of view of burglar or prospective homebuyer
- recalled more details according to their perspective
- remembered new details when asked to switch perspectives after reading it
4
Q
general properties of memory: abstraction
A
- info is recalled in a gist form, specific, context bound
- Sachs (1967) showed that inds. remember the gist of a sentence but forget the actual wording
- better at remembering the exact wording if the target sentence was at the end of the passage heard
- if target sentence was earlier in the passage, good at detecting changes in meaning but not changes in wording
5
Q
general properties of memory: interpretation
A
- info is used to make inference, those inferences are encoded
- refer to slides 31-31-32-33-34
6
Q
general properties of memory: integration
A
- meaning is abstract from an event to form a coherent whole
- how does this relate to my preexisting schemas?
- Bransford and Franks (1971, 1972) had inds. read simple sentences and answered a question about each
- inds. later judged new sentences as to whether they were in the original list or not
- found even though all the sentences are new, inds. believe that at least some are the same
7
Q
flashbulb memory: characteristics
A
- some events seem to be particularly memorable
- Brown-Kulick (1977) suggested that special mechanism was responsible for their memorability
- characteristics:
1. often has emotional significance attached to memories, therefore having important consequences for a person
2. remembered for long periods of time
3. memories are vivid and detailed
REFER TO DIAGRAM PAGE 27 OF NOTEBOOK
8
Q
Is there actually a mechanism for flashbulb memory?
A
- study showed flashbulb memory became more general, or mildly inconsistent with earlier descriptions
- suggested that there is no need to postulate a special flashbulbs memory mechanism
- suggested alternative account = narrative rehearsal hypothesis
9
Q
chaos theory
A
belief that seemingly simple events could produce complex and confounding behaviours
10
Q
narrative rehearsal hypothesis
A
- flashbulb memory may be more memorable because we rehease them more
- repeated exposure in media
- repeated discussion
- blatant errors can be observed in flashbulbs memories
- we get fragments from everwhere, and these load onto schemas we have of the event
- refer to Talarico and Rubin’s study on flashbulbs memory, slides 11-12
11
Q
Talarico and Rubin’s conclusion on flashbulb memories as illusory concepts
A
- flashbulb memories have illusory ACC
- only appear to be more permanent and accurate that other memories
- suggests that memories of an event are determined by other tings besides the event itself
- metacognitive mechanism that causes overestimation?
12
Q
JOL: judgements of learning
A
- occur after we have studied info
- encoding and retrieval cues
- cues used to produce assessments of performance, these change over time (domain specific info)
1. if asked shortly after learning, participants use cues that have to do with the ease of encoding (encoding fluency)
2. if asked a time after learning, participants come to rely on cues that have to do with the ease of retrieval (retrieval fluency)
13
Q
UWP: underconfidence - with practice effect
A
- participants appear to become less overconfident with additional practice
- over time, people go from overconfidence to underconfidence
14
Q
(re)constructing memories
A
- repeated exposure form different sources and susceptibility of memories to distortion due to reactivation during consolidation could introduce errors
- rumours and urban legends have this kind of realism due to multisource feedback
15
Q
getting the gist
A
verbatim
- surface structure, exact wording
gist
- meaning, relational knowledge
research has repeatedly demonstrated that memory for gist is maintained while verbatim memory is lost
