Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 11: Types of Memory
Module 11
Types of Memory
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 11: Types of Memory
INTRODUCTION
• Definitions
– Memory
• ability to retain information over time through
three processes: encoding, storing, and
retrieving
– Encoding
• refers to making mental representations of
information so that it can be placed into our
memories
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 11: Types of Memory
INTRODUCTION
• Definitions
– Storing
• process of placing encoded information into
relatively permanent mental storage for later
recall
– Retrieving
• process of getting or recalling information that
has been placed into short-term or long-term
storage
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 11: Types of Memory
THREE TYPES OF MEMORY
• Sensory memory
– refers to an initial process that receives and holds
environmental information in its raw form for a
brief period of time, from and instant to several
seconds
• Short-term memory
– also called working-memory, refers to another
process that can hold only a limited amount of
information, an average of seven items - 2 to 30
seconds
• Long-term memory
– refers to the process of storing almost unlimited
amounts of information over long periods of time
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 11: Types of Memory
THREE TYPES OF MEMORY (CONT.)
• Memory processes
– sensory memory
– do not pay attention, information is forgotten
– pay attention, information is automatically
transferred into short-term memory
– short-term memory
– do not pay attention
– information is not encoded and is forgotten
– long-term memory
– encoded information will remain on a relatively
permanent basis
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 11: Types of Memory
p240 THREE TYPES MEMORY
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 11: Types of Memory
SENSORY MEMORY: RECORDING
• Iconic memory
– form of sensory memory that automatically holds
visual information for about a quarter of a second
or more; as soon as you shift your attention, the
information disappears
• Echoic memory
– form of sensory memory that holds auditory
information for 1 to 2 seconds
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 11: Types of Memory
SENSORY MEMORY: RECORDING (CONT.)
• Functions of sensory memory
– prevents being overwhelmed
– gives decision time
– provides stability, playback, and recognition
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 11: Types of Memory
SHORT TERM MEMORY: WORKING
• Definition
– refers to a process that can hold a limited
amount of information-an average of seven itemsfor a limited period of time –2 to 30 seconds
• Two features
– limited duration
– maintenance rehearsal
– refers to the practice of intentionally repeating or
rehearsing information so that it remains longer in
short-term memory
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 11: Types of Memory
SHORT TERM MEMORY: WORKING (CONT.)
• Two features
– limited capacity
• Interference
– results when new information enters short-term
memory and overwrites or pushes out information
that is already there
• Chunking
– combining separate items of information into a
larger unit, or chunk, and then remembering
chunks of information rather than individual items
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 11: Types of Memory
SHORT TERM MEMORY: WORKING (CONT.)
• Functions of short-tem memory
– Attending
• selectively attend to information that is relevant
and disregard everything else
– Rehearsing
• allows you to hold information for a short
period of time until you decide what to do with
it
– Storing
• helps to store or encode information in longterm memory
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 11: Types of Memory
LONG-TERM MEMORY: STORING
• Putting information into long-term memory
– Long-term memory
• refers to the process of storing almost
unlimited amounts of information over long
periods of time with the potential of retrieving,
or remembering, such information in the future
– Encoding
• process of transferring information from shortterm to long-term memory by paying attention
to it, repeating or rehearsing it, or forming new
associations
– Retrieving
• process of selecting information from long-term
memory and transferring it back into short-term
memory
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 11: Types of Memory
LONG-TERM MEMORY: STORING (CONT.)
• Declarative versus procedural or nondeclarative
– Declarative memory
• involves memories for facts or events, such as
scenes, stories, words, conversations, faces,
or daily events
– Semantic memory
• type of declarative memory and that involves
knowledge of facts, concepts, words,
definitions, and language rules
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 11: Types of Memory
LONG-TERM MEMORY: STORING (CONT.)
• Declarative versus procedural or nondeclarative
– Episodic memory
• type of declarative memory and that involves
knowledge of specific events, personal
experiences (episodes), or activities, such as
naming or describing favorite restaurants, or
hobbies
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 11: Types of Memory
LONG-TERM MEMORY: STORING (CONT.)
• Declarative versus procedural or nondeclarative
– Procedural or nondeclarative memory
• involves memories for motor skills (playing
tennis), some cognitive behaviors learned
through classical conditioning
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 11: Types of Memory
ENCODING: TRANSFERING
• Two kinds of encoding
– Automatic encoding
• transfer of information from short-term into
long-term memory without any effort and
usually without any awareness
• personal events
• interesting facts
• skills and habits
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 11: Types of Memory
ENCODING: TRANSFERING (CONT.)
• Two kinds of encoding
– Effortful encoding
• involves the transfer of information from shortterm into long-term memory either by working
hard to repeat or rehearse the information or,
especially, by making associations between
new and old information
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 11: Types of Memory
ENCODING: TRANSFERING (CONT.)
• Rehearsing and encoding
– Maintenance rehearsal
• refers to simply repeating or rehearsing the
information rather than forming any new
associations
– Elaborative rehearsal
• involves using effort to actively make
meaningful associations between new
information that you wish to remember and old
or familiar information that is already stored in
long-term memory
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 11: Types of Memory
ENCODING: TRANSFERING (CONT.)
• Levels of processing
– theory says that remembering depends on how
information is encoded
– shallow processing: poor recall
– deeper and deepest processing: encode by
making new association
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 11: Types of Memory
REPRESSED MEMORIES
• Definition of repressed memory
– the process by which the mind pushes a memory
of some threatening or traumatic event deep into
the unconscious mind
• Implanting false memories
– studies on implanting false memories simply
show that a false suggestion can grow into a
vivid, detailed, and believable personal memory