methods of memory retrieval Flashcards
4 methods
recall
recognition
relearning
reconstruction
recall
- requires the person to retrieve stored information using minimal cues
- not very sensitive
3 types of recall
cued
serial
free
cued recall
- using specific prompts (cues) to aid retrieval
- hints
serial recall
- least sensitive measure
- reproducing information in the order in which it was learnt
free recall
- reproducing as much information as possible in no specific order without the use of any specific cue
chunking
- number of single items ‘held’ in STM can be increased beyond the ‘magic 7’ if you combine them into chunks
- by grouping separate items of information to form a larger, single item, we free up space in STM for more information
how to promote retention of information in STM
- no interference
- rehearsal (vocal or subvocal)
- chunking
why promote retention in STM
- keep in our immediate awareness
- increase chances of it being moved to LTM
sensitivity
- ability to assess the existence of information in memory and available for retrieval
- highly sensitive methods: enable tiniest bit of information to be retrieved
- the higher the sensitivity, the easier it is to retrieve a memory from LTM to STM (more we recall)
recognition
- ‘recognising’ the original learnt information
- more sensitive than recall
- identifying correct information along a list of incorrect information
- presence of correct information acts as a cue for retrieval
e. g. multiple choice
diff between recall and recognition
recall: required information is not present
recognition: required information may be present and requires a judgement about whether it has been previously learnt or experienced
relearning
- most sensitive method of retrieval
- learning something for the second time despite of it being previously committed to memory
why less time and effort for second time learning
- assume that some information must be retained
reconstruction
- process to bring a memory from LTM to STM
- combining stored information with other available information to form a more coherent, complete and accurate memory