Name:________________
Unit 7Cognition
7A Memory
Handout 7A-3 Retrieval (pg.274-78)
1. Use the information from the text on oriming to explain the graphic
to the left. (pg. 191)
2. In what ways can context aid memory recall?
3. Explain how state-dependent differs from context dependent memory.
4. How does mood-congruent memory influence the retrieval and recall of other memories?
Practice
1. Jorge is preparing for a psych test and tells you he really hopes the test is in essay format so he’ll get a
better grade. Based on your understanding of measures of retention, how would you respond to Jorge?
2. Danielle has just broken up with her long-time boyfriend and is feeling quite down. Her friends are trying to
cheer her up, but are having a hard time. According to the research on memory, in her current emotional
state, what memories is Danielle most likely to recall? Why?
3. Jim has just memorized the following list of words for his 3rd grade spelling test: host, most, coast, boast,
ghost. When asked by a classmate, “What do you put in a toaster?” Jim replies “Toast!” “No silly!” said his
friend. “You put bread in a toaster!” What psychological process caused Jim to reply incorrectly?
a. long-term potentiation
b. priming
c. serial position effect
d. implicit memory
e. recall
Name:________________
Unit 7Cognition
7A Memory
Handout 7A-4 Forgetting (pg.278-284)
1. Explain “encoding failure” as
one theory of forgetting.
2. Another theory of forgetting is “storage decay.” Briefly
summarize the work of Hermann Ebbinghaus on the
retention of nonsense syllables.
3. A third explanation of why we forget is “retrieval
failure.” What does the graphic to the right tell you
about one reason why we experience retrieval
failure?
3a. Explain proactive & retroactive interference using the
graphic to the left.
Unit 7Cognition
7A Memory
Handout 7A-5 Memory Construction (pg.285-293)
1. Summarize and discuss the importance of Elizabeth Loftus’ work on the misinformation effect.
2. How might the misinformation effect impact those testifying as eyewitnesses in crime? How might lawyers
use the misinformation effect to their favor in a criminal case?
3. Explain how source amnesia affects our formation of memory.
4. How does source amnesia help explain déjà vu ?
5. What difficulties arise in trying to sort real from false memories? Why is it that false memories often seem
to be so vivid and strong?
6. In what circumstances have children been shown to be reliable eyewitnesses?
7. Discuss the controversy surrounding repressed or constructed memories of abuse.