🥸Intro to Psychology Unit 8 – Memory

What is Memory?

• Memory refers to the process of encoding, storing, and retrieving information in the brain
• Involves the ability to retain and recall information, experiences, and skills over time
• Plays a crucial role in learning, decision-making, and forming personal identity
• Memory is not a single entity but consists of multiple systems that work together
• Different types of memory are processed and stored in various regions of the brain
  • Hippocampus plays a significant role in forming new memories
  • Cerebral cortex is involved in storing long-term memories
• Memory is a reconstructive process rather than a perfect recording of events
• Memories can be influenced by emotions, beliefs, and subsequent experiences

Types of Memory

• Sensory memory is the brief storage of sensory information (visual, auditory, etc.)
  • Iconic memory holds visual information for a fraction of a second
  • Echoic memory retains auditory information for a few seconds
• Short-term memory (STM) holds a limited amount of information for a short period
  • Also known as working memory
  • Capacity is typically around 7 ± 2 items (Miller's Law)
  • Information in STM can be maintained through rehearsal
• Long-term memory (LTM) stores information for an extended period, potentially indefinitely
  • Declarative (explicit) memory involves conscious recollection of facts and events
    • Semantic memory stores general knowledge and facts (capital of France)
    • Episodic memory stores personal experiences and events (graduation ceremony)
  • Non-declarative (implicit) memory involves unconscious retrieval of skills and procedures
    • Procedural memory stores learned skills and habits (riding a bicycle)
    • Priming is the influence of prior exposure on subsequent responses (faster recognition of a word after seeing it before)

Memory Processes

• Encoding is the process of converting information into a form that can be stored in memory
  • Involves attention, perception, and association with existing knowledge
  • Information can be encoded visually, acoustically, or semantically
• Storage is the process of maintaining information in memory over time
  • STM storage is temporary and limited in capacity
  • LTM storage is more permanent and has a vast capacity
  • Consolidation is the process of stabilizing memory traces for long-term storage
• Retrieval is the process of accessing stored information from memory
  • Recall involves actively reproducing information from memory (answering a question)
  • Recognition involves identifying previously encountered information (multiple-choice test)
  • Retrieval cues (hints or prompts) can facilitate the retrieval process
• Forgetting is the inability to recall or recognize previously stored information
  • Can occur due to decay, interference, or lack of retrieval cues
  • Retrieval failure is the inability to access stored information despite its presence in memory

Factors Affecting Memory

• Attention and focus during encoding can enhance memory retention
  • Divided attention can lead to poorer memory performance
• Emotional arousal can modulate memory formation and retrieval
  • Emotionally charged events tend to be remembered more vividly (flashbulb memories)
• Stress and anxiety can impair memory, particularly during retrieval
• Sleep plays a crucial role in memory consolidation and long-term storage
  • Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep is associated with the consolidation of procedural and emotional memories
  • Non-REM sleep is linked to the consolidation of declarative memories
• Age-related changes in the brain can affect memory performance
  • Episodic memory and working memory tend to decline with age
  • Semantic memory remains relatively stable across the lifespan
• Mnemonics and memory strategies can improve memory encoding and retrieval (method of loci, acronyms)

Memory Models and Theories

• Multi-Store Model (Atkinson-Shiffrin) proposes three separate stores: sensory, short-term, and long-term memory
  • Information flows sequentially from sensory to short-term to long-term memory
  • Rehearsal is necessary for information to transfer from short-term to long-term memory
• Working Memory Model (Baddeley-Hitch) expands on the concept of short-term memory
  • Consists of a central executive, phonological loop, visuospatial sketchpad, and episodic buffer
  • Emphasizes the active manipulation and processing of information in working memory
• Levels of Processing Theory suggests that the depth of processing during encoding affects memory retention
  • Shallow processing (e.g., focusing on physical characteristics) leads to weaker memory traces
  • Deep processing (e.g., focusing on meaning and associations) leads to stronger memory traces
• Retrieval-Based Learning highlights the importance of active retrieval in strengthening memory
  • Testing effect shows that actively retrieving information enhances long-term retention compared to passive restudying

Memory Disorders

• Amnesia is a condition characterized by the inability to form new memories or recall past experiences
  • Anterograde amnesia affects the formation of new memories (after the onset of amnesia)
  • Retrograde amnesia affects the recall of memories formed before the onset of amnesia
  • Can be caused by brain injury, stroke, or certain medications
• Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects older adults
  • Characterized by gradual memory loss, particularly in the formation of new memories
  • Accompanied by other cognitive deficits (language, problem-solving, spatial awareness)
• Korsakoff's syndrome is a memory disorder caused by severe thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency
  • Often associated with chronic alcohol abuse
  • Characterized by confabulation (fabrication of memories to fill in gaps)
• Transient Global Amnesia (TGA) is a temporary episode of memory loss and confusion
  • Lasts for several hours and resolves on its own
  • Cause is not well understood but may be related to migraines or vascular changes

Improving Memory

• Engage in active learning strategies (summarizing, self-testing, teaching others)
  • Promotes deeper processing and strengthens memory traces
• Use mnemonic devices to aid in encoding and retrieval (acronyms, rhymes, visual imagery)
  • Chunking involves grouping related information into meaningful units (remembering a phone number as chunks)
• Distribute practice over time rather than cramming information in a single session
  • Spaced repetition enhances long-term retention and reduces forgetting
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle (regular exercise, balanced diet, sufficient sleep)
  • Physical exercise promotes neurogenesis and enhances cognitive function
  • Adequate sleep is crucial for memory consolidation and overall brain health
• Engage in mentally stimulating activities (puzzles, learning a new language or skill)
  • Cognitive engagement helps maintain brain plasticity and may delay age-related cognitive decline

Real-World Applications

• Eyewitness testimony relies heavily on memory accuracy
  • Factors such as stress, suggestive questioning, and false memories can impact the reliability of eyewitness accounts
• Educational settings can benefit from incorporating memory-enhancing strategies
  • Retrieval practice (frequent quizzing) can improve long-term retention of course material
  • Mnemonic devices can aid in learning and remembering complex information (medical terminology, historical dates)
• Cognitive training programs aim to improve memory and other cognitive functions
  • Brain training exercises and games may have limited transfer to real-world tasks
  • Engaging in mentally stimulating activities and maintaining an active lifestyle are more effective for overall cognitive health
• Memory research has implications for the development of artificial intelligence and machine learning
  • Understanding human memory processes can inform the design of more efficient and human-like AI systems
  • Neural networks and deep learning algorithms draw inspiration from the structure and function of biological memory systems