Topic 8: Everyday Memory and Memory Errors Flashcards
Topic 8
What are everyday memories unlike?
funny ass phrasing
Not like photographs- accurate/unchanging; rather “works in progress”
what are everyday memories affected by?
Affected by details by the event, but also knowledge of the event, and by things that have happened since the event occurred
Are everyday memories recorded accurately? Does it reflect what happened?
Everything is not necessarily recorded accurately in the first place, and even if it is, there is a good chance that what you recall does not accurately reflect what really happened
What determines which life event will we remember years later?
Events that become significant parts of a persons life, or are personal milestones, tend to be remembered quite well
What is a reminiscence bump?
The reminiscence bump is a memory phenomenon where people over 40 tend to recall more memories from their adolescence and early adulthood.
What is the three hypotheses theory?
All based on the idea that special life events happen during these times that are more likely to be recalled later
What is the Self-Image Hypothesis?
+Memory for events that occur as a person’s self image or identity is being formed
Who is Rathbone (2008) and what did his research explain?
Had participants (54 yrs old) create “i am” statements that define them as a person
Indicated when each became a part of their self-indentity = 25 yrs old
When does Self-Image Hypothesis occur the most?
Most occurred during the bump?
What is the Cognitive Hypothesis?
Periods of rapid change that are followed by relative stability causes stronger encoding of memories
How does the Cognitive Hypothesis do for someone during the bump?
- Go away to school
- get married
- start a career
- have children
what does the cognitive hypothesis show after the bump?
Following that, our lives tend to become more routine in adulthood; less memorable
What is the Cultural Life Script Hypothesis?
Events in a person’s life become easier to recall when they fit the life script that matches that of th person’s culture
What is the Cultural Life Script?
Culturally expected events that occur at, or around, a specific time in the life span
When do people typically fall in love for the first time?
16 yrs old
When do being usually move off to college/university?
22 yrs old
When do people usually get married?
28 yrs old
When do peopel typically have children?
30 yrs old
Are memories better connected with stronger emotions?
Yes, absolutely
What is the case for memories for “exceptional” events?
Clear that some events in our life are more likely to be remembered than others
What part of the brain do exceptional events highlight?
- The amygdala
- Activity is higher when remembering emotional stimuli
What happens when stress combines with exceptional events?
Emotions in combination with stress seems to amplify the effect
With memory for exceptional event; what did the researchers ask the partcipants to do?
Showed participants neutral and emotional pictures, then had participants immerse their arms in water. Asked to come back a week later and describe what they saw.
What is a detailed explanation of a Flasbulb Memory?
Something even more special about memories associated with emotionally charged events that are unexpected and that impact large groups of people
What is the short and sweet definition of a flashbulb memory?
Memory for the circumstances that surrond hearing about the event
What is the emphasis on for flashbulb memories?
The emphasis is not on the event itself
What is the importance of flashbulb memories?
Gives special importance to events that otherwise would be unremarkable
How are Flashbulb memories remembered and how detailed are they?
These memories tend to be remembered for long periods of time and are particularly vivid and well detailed
Who are Brown and Kulik? What research did they produce?
Asked individuals years later to describe what they were doing when JFK was assassinated
What is repeated recall??
- Asking people immediately after an event happens
- Asking them again days/months/years later
Who are Neissar and Harsh (1986)?
Researchers who studied in flashbulb memories
What is an important characteristic of flashbulb memories?
Memories can be affected by peoples experiences following the event and their general knowledge
What is a problem with constructive nature of memory?
What people believe they remember may not actually match what really happened
- Changes, omissions, or even falsified inclusions
What is thr Illusory Truth Effect?
Enhanced probability of indicating something is true if we are repeadetly presented with it
What can memory be influenced by?
Memory can be influenced by inferendes we make based on our own experiences and knowledge
What is a pragmatic inference?
Inference that occurs when reading/hearing a statement that leads a person to expect something not expilicty stated or implied
What is a Schema?
Knowledge about what is involved in a particular experience
What is a “Script”?
- A subtype of schema
- conception of the sequence of actions that usually occurs during an experience
How do scripts influence memories?
Influences memory by setting up expectations about what order things usually should happen
What is false recall and recognition?
remembering events that never happened or misremembering details of an actual event
- An example of a false memory, largely due to association and/or familiarity
What does MPI stand for?
Misleading post-event information
How is the memory system prone to errors?
Misleading information presented after a person witnesses an event can change how the person described that event later
What is the influence of MPI?
MPI can alter what people say they saw and the conclusions they make
Who is Loftus (1978) and what did he explain in his research?
- participants saw a secret film of a car crash and were given MPI in the phrasing of their questions
- Suggestion (intentional or not) can influence peoples memory for events
What is source monitioring error?
Difficulty distinguishing the source of who told you the original story and who told you the MPI
What are two assumptions why people make errors in eyewitness testimonies?
- Eyewitnesses saw what happened clearly in the moment
- Eyewitness can remember and accurately describe the events and people later
What factors compliacte during errors associated with perception and attention?
Emotions often run high and this affects what we pay attention to and what we recall later
What part of the brain causes emotions to run high and in turn affects attention?
Amygdala
What is weapons focus?
Tendency for eyewitnesses to focus attention on a weapon, which causes poorer memory for other things that are happening at the same time
What is Errors due to familiarity?
occur when people favor or rely on familiar things, people, or situations, even when they are not the best or most accurate choice, leading to mistakes or suboptimal decisions
What are the three errors that people make that affects cognition?
- Errors associated with perception and attention
- Errors due to familiarity
- Errors due to suggestion
What is errors due to suggestion?
occur when external information or prompts influence a person’s memory or beliefs, leading to inaccuracies or the creation of false memories
What is the post-identification feedback effect?
a boost in confidence following confirmatory feedback
