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
factors that influence reconstruction
- pre-existing knowledge
- personal experiences
- psychological state
how do errors and distortion occur?
- when we form a long term memory, we actively encode and organise the elements and details throughout different areas of the brain linked together by neural pathways
- when we later attempt to access the memory, we retrieve encoded elements and actively reconstruct the memory
least sensitive to most sensitive
free recall, cued recall, recognition, relearning
how easy it is to retrieve information, more sensitive it is, the easier it is because with relearning, you have already learnt it once so learning it again would be easiest.
