Types of Memory
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The ability to retain information over time
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3 processes:
o Encoding
o Storing
o Retrieving
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Refers to making “mental
representations” of information, so it
can be placed in our memories
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The process of placing encoded
information into relatively
permanent mental storage for later
recall
New information stored by making
associations with old information is
easier to remember
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The process of getting or
recalling information that has
been placed into short-term or
long-term storage
Sensory
Memory
Short-term
Memory
Long-term
Memory
• Initial process that receives and holds environmental
information in its raw form for a brief period, no
more than several seconds
• This process can hold only a limited amount of
information – an average of 7 items – for 2 to 30
seconds
• Process of storing almost unlimited amounts of
information over long periods of time
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Sensory memory is environmental, and
requires attention for it to be
remembered.
If you pay attention to it, it will move to
short-term memory
If you pay attention here, it may be
transferred to long-term memory, or
remembered slightly longer if it is
rehearsed
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Iconic memory automatically holds visual
information for about ¼ of a second: as soon as
you shift attention the info disappears (“icon”
means “image”)
This is why we are not “blind” when we blink
Echoic memory holds auditory information for
1 or 2 seconds. This allows you to process
speech sounds long enough to recognize
sequences that represent words
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Prevents too much sensory info from overwhelming us
Gives decision time to decide if something is
important
Provides stability, playback and recognition, or
makes things in our environment appear
smooth and continuous
Paying attention to information in sensory
memory allows it to move to short-term
memory
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Allows us to hold a limited amount of
information for up to 30 seconds. This can be
lengthened with “maintenance rehearsal”
“7” is the magic average number (Miller, +/-2)
Postal codes and phone numbers have 7 or
fewer digits for this reason
“Interference” results when new information
enters short-term memory and overwrites or
pushes out existing information
Chunking can increase short-term memory
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Active process, using the prefrontal area
Attention
Rehearsal
Storage
This allows us to selectively attend to
relevant information and disregard the
rest. Also, to hold information for a short
period of time until we decide what to do
with it.
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Short Term memory
Picture puzzle
7 is called the magic number, because it is the
average number of things most people will
remember.
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Memory is a process
Long-term memory interacts with other
memory through attention
Encoding to long-term memory occurs when
we pay enough attention to something, repeat
it or rehearse it, or form an association with it.
How easily and accurately information then
can be retrieved or recalled depends on many
factors.
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The process of transferring long-term
memories back into short-term memory
This may be more difficult if the
associations formed were weak, or if you
formed no new associations with the old
information
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Capacity and permanency is almost unlimited,
if drugs and disease do not interfere with
memory circuits.
Chance of retrieval depends on how the info
was encoded and amount of interference from
related information.
Accuracy can under-go change and distortion,
very few memories are as accurate as people
think.
Every time memories are recalled, they are
malleable and can be altered.
Bear,
giraffe,
Wolf
fly
deer
Elk
gorilla
elephant
frog
snail
Turtle
shark
ant
owl
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Primacy effect refers to better recall of
information presented at the beginning of a
task – there is more time for rehersal
Recency effect refers to better recall of
information at the end of a task – last items
remain in short-term memory, or even sensory
memory.
You were least likely to remember the words in
the middle, as they may be unrehearsed and
are not encoded
Long-term memory:
Declarative and Nondeclarative
Emotional memories
Encoding
Processing theory
False and repressed memories
Cultural memory
Unusual memory