Lecture 1: what is memory Flashcards
memory def
the recording of the past for later use in the present
episodic memory
memory of personal life experiences (what, where, when)
what does memory involve
encoding, storage, retrieval
encoding
the conversion of info into a form that can be stored in memory
storage
the creation of a trace of this information within the nervous system
retrieval
an attempt to recover a memory trace
Herman ebbinghaus
- first person to investigate memory scientifically and systematically
forgetting curve
- found that overtime % of syllables retained decreased
- however he used nonsense syllables which cant be connected to previous experiences, so not an appropriate test of memory
- memory can drop from 100% - 60% in as little as 20mins
Peterson and peterson’s (1959) experiment
warning: green signal light = trial about to begin
stimulus presentation = 3 letters and a 3 digit number
retention interval = subject counts backward by threes for intervals of 3 to 18 seconds
recall signal and report = red signal light: recall letters
findings = the longer the retention interval the lower percentage recalled
miller (1956) study
- memory span stimuli
findings = the number of objects an average human can hold in short term memory is 7 plus or minus 2
semantic memory
the recollection of ideas, concepts and facts
autobiographical memory
memory for ones personal history, a combination of episodic and semantic memory
emotional memory
emotion memory interactions, often important in episodic memory, tend to remember info which has emotional content
levels of explanation
- biological
- individual
- social
- cultural
biological level
focus:
- brain sustems
- neurochem
- genetics
what is studied:
neuroanatomy, animal research, brain imaging, neurotransmitters and hormones, animal studies, drug studies, gene mechanisms, heritability
individual level
focus:
- individual differences
- perception and cognition behaviour
what is studied:
personality, gender, developmental age groups, self concept, thinking, decision making, language, memory, seeing, responses
social level
focus:
- interpersonal behaviour
- social cognition
what is studied:
groups, relationships, persuasion, influence, workplace attitudes, stereotypes, perceptions
cultural level
focus:
thoughts, actions, behaviours - in different societies and cultural groups
what is studied:
norms, beliefs, values, symbols, ethnicity
