Chapter 6 Flashcards
Encoding
The process of transforming a sensory stimulus into a memory trace.
The 3 main stages of memory process
Input stage (encoding), storage stage (held in preparation for future), output stage (retrieval) each stage will need to be completed before we can retrieve a memory
nonsense syllables
like the name tells (e.g. VOP or TUV), used by Ebbinghaus to eliminate the unwanted variable of already knowing words
Ebbinghaus forgetting curve
The phenomenon that we forget information quickly in the beginning and that forgetting declines over time in intensity
Two main theories of Ebbinghaus to explain the forgetting curve
Decay and interferece
Decay (Ebbinghaus)
Memories fade away with the passage of time, regardless of other input
Interference (Ebbinghaus)
Memories are actively disrupted by the influence of some other input
retroactive interference
memory scores for the learning of one list were considerably reduced by the subsequent learning of a second list (argument for interference)
proactive interference
memory for a list is subject to interference from a previously learned list
The degree of interference through an item depends on
The degree of similarity between the target item and the items interfering with it.
decay with disuse theory
By Throndike: Decay only affects memory traces which remain unused for a long period
New Theory of Disuse (NTD)
Access to a memory trace is strengthened by frequent retrieval, whereas unretrieved memories become more inaccessible as time passes
Retrieval-induced forgetting (RIF)
The phenomenon whereby the successful retrieval of a memory trace inhibits the retrieval of rival memory traces
Bartlett’s story recall experiments important findings
People rationalise the story to make it fit in with their expectations
Explanations for Bartlett’s story recall experiment
In terms of schema theory, we perceive and encode information into our memories in terms of our past experience. We compare our new perceptual input with out schemas in an effort to find something meaningful.
When we provide background information and helpful pictures to a story it becomes more…
(and what about chess players?)
Memorable, becuase we can make use of our knowledge and experince to increase its meaningfulness. Also the reason why chess experts can better remember chessboard positions, but not if the figures are positioned randomly.
Scripts
a form of schema which combines a sequence of events which might normally be expected in a particular situation (e.g. after you found a table in a restaurant, a waiter will take your order) to help us organise our plans and actions by providing a framework
Memory distortion
That wrong things get recalled. Few studies about that so far.
Mnemonic
A techique or strategy used for improving the emorability of items, e.g. by adding meaningful associations
levels of processing (LOP) theory
processing of new perceptual input involves the extraction of information at a series of levels of increasing depth of analysis: Input -> Structural processing -> Acoustic processing -> Semantic processing
LOP theory, like schema theory explain that meaningful material is more memorable, by
postulating that meaningful material can be more deeply processed
Orienting task
A set of instructions used to influence the type of cognitive processing employed. Evidence supporting LOP theory
Procedure and results of the orienting task experiment by Craik and Tulving
3 groups: 1. Structural orienting task (e.g. is word in block capitals?)
2. Acoustic orienting task (e.g.does word rhyme with ‘bat’?)
3. Semantic orienting task (e.g. does word fit the sentence ‘the cat sat on the ___’?)
=tasks which require deep processing tend to produce better retrieval than do task which involve shallower processing
In a orienting task, a group that was instructed to learn a list deliberately their recall scores were better than those of the group performing incidental learning with a semantic orienting task. True or false?
False, they were just as good as the group with the semantic orienting task.
Critique against LOP theory
And modification
- The strict processing sequence is not entirely plausible, because they are qualitatively different and discontinuous
- semantic processing can sometimes take place before the ‘shallower’ structural and acoustic stages are complete
- > Now,the 3 processes run parallel
Difference maintenance and elaborative rehearsal
maintenance rehearsal -> input is merely repeated without further processing (just to hold temporarily) -> better for recognition tests (MR for item-specific processing)
elaborative rehearsal -> links are created between the new input and previously stored information (lead to longterm) -> better for recall tests (relational processing)
Elaborative encoding
refers to the formation of associative connections with other memory traces, and this occurs most effectively where meaningful associations can be found.
Mandler’s organisation theory
memory is structured into a semantic network of related items, and accessing one item activates the whole network.
Two ways of testing retrieval
recall and recognition
Two types of recall
spontaneous recall -> requires the generation of items from memory without help
cued recall -> retrieval cues are provided to remind us of the items to be recalled
Ranking: What let us name most distinctive items? Spontaneous recall, recognition, cued recall
Recognition most, then cued recall, lastly spontaneous recall