Module 11
Types of Memory
What Is Memory?
• Memory
• ability to retain information over time through
three processes: encoding, storing, and
retrieving
1. Encoding
• refers to making mental representations of
information so that it can be placed into our
memories
What Is Memory?
2. Storing
• process of placing encoded information into relatively
permanent mental storage for later recall
3. Retrieving
• process of getting or recalling information
that has
been placed into short-term or long-term storage
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
THREE TYPES OF MEMORY (CONT.)
• Memory processes
1. sensory memory
– do not pay attention, information is forgotten
– pay attention, information is automatically transferred
into short-term memory
2. short-term memory
– do not pay attention
– information is not encoded and is forgotten
3. long-term memory
– encoded information will remain on a relatively
permanent basis
Sensory Memory
(First stage of memory; Very complete and detailed
but very brief)
1. 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
- (Think of a photo that lasts for a second).
Sensory Memory
• 2. Echoic Memory: form of sensory
memory that holds auditory information
for 1 to 2 seconds
SENSORY MEMORY
• Functions of sensory memory
1. prevents being overwhelmed
2. gives decision time
3. provides stability, playback, and
recognition
Short-Term Memory
Holds information for 20-30 seconds
Limited to 5-9 items, most people average 7
• Working memory because:
YOUR
1.Conscious of it
2.Control it: You have to pay
attention to remember
something
This is called:
SELECTIVE ATTENTION
Attention:
What is it that you focus on?
1. Filter model: you are aware of some
things but ignore others.
Ex: Cocktail Party Phenomenom
2.
Capacity Model: A person is limited
to how many things they can focus
on.
Ex: divided attention
SHORT TERM MEMORY: WORKING
• Four concepts of STM to be aware of:
1. Limited duration
2. Maintenance rehearsal:
refers to the practice of intentionally repeating or
rehearsing information so that it remains longer in
short-term memory
Bob says: “Hi my name is Bob”
You Think: “ok I need to remember his name, Bob,
Bob, Bob, ok I got it.”
SHORT TERM MEMORY: WORKING
• Two methods to use since STM has a limited
capacity
3. Interference
– results when new information enters short-term
memory and overwrites or pushes out information that
is already there
4. Chunking
– combining separate items of information into a larger
unit, or chunk, and then remembering chunks of
information rather than individual items.
Tel.973-555-5555, SS# 100-66-6666,
SHORT TERM MEMORY: WORKING
• 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
long-term memory
SHORT TERM MEMORY: WORKING
• Keep this in mind!
- Research shows that how you are presented with
information will determine if you remember it.
1. Primacy Effect: when studying a list of names, dates
etc. you will better remember the first names, dates
presented in the beginning of the task
2. Recency Effect: when studying names, lists etc. you
will better recall the information presented+ at the
end of the task.
Some myths of: SHORT TERM
MEMORY
1. Photographic Memories: Adults who can form a
detailed image of an picture or page and recall it
later. There are are almost no known individual
who actually have a photographic memory.
2. Eidetic Imagery: a form of photographic memory
in children who can visually remember a picture
or page in vivid detail. Most children who have
this ability lose it in adolescence.
Long-Term Memory
• Long-term Memory is like long-term
parking at the airport.
• How many memories can
be stored? How long can
they be stored? No one
knows!
Long-Term Memory
•
What is known are the types of memories
OR how you ORGANIZE them!
Declarative memory (2 Types):
involves memories for facts or
events, such as scenes, stories,
words, conversations, faces, or daily
events
Long-Term Memory
1.Semantics: Your memories based on
language. Words, sentences, commands;
Any factual information you remember
through words and letters + their meanings.
Long-Term Memory
2. Episodic:
memory that consists of
knowledge of specific events, personal
experiences (episodes) or activities, such as
describing or naming a favorite restaurant.
“Flashbulb memory” is a special kind of
memory.
Long-Term Memory
“Flashbulb memory”
A vivid account of a dramatic or emotional
incident that is effortlessly encoded for a
long period of time.
Long-Term Memory
Procedural or Non-Declarative
1. Procedural:
memory that consists of the
skills, or procedures that people have
learned. Examples like: Driving, Using your
cell phone, Using a computer program,
How to cook your favorite meal.
Long-Term Memory
2. Implicit:memories
that are acquired and
retrieved without conscious effort.
(Examples: You will remember a dog’s
angry bark after you got chased by one.
Next time you hear a dog barking at you,
you will remember to move away.) Same
with a car accident, or a mugger.
Long-Term Memory
• Even though some memories are
acquired with effort and others are
not,they all work together.
Examples: Why on your first date you
can remember where you were, what
you’re wearing, what was said and how
you acted proper.
Long-Term Memory
• We have now looked at the different types
of memories So next we’ll focus on…
How exactly do we develop and store
memories in our LTM and How are we able
to remember or ENCODING them.
LONG-TERM MEMORY: STORING
• How information is put into long-term memory:
1. 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
2. Encoding
• process of transferring information from short-term to
long-term memory by paying attention to it, repeating or
rehearsing it, or forming new associations
3. Retrieving
• process of selecting information from long-term memory
and transferring it back into short-term memory
LTM: ENCODING
• Two kinds of encoding
1. Automatic encoding
• transfer of information from shortterm into long-term memory
without any effort and usually
without any awareness
• personal events
• interesting facts
• skills and habits
LTM: ENCODING
• Two kinds of encoding
2. Effortful encoding
• involves the transfer of information
from short-term into long-term
memory either by working hard to
repeat or rehearse the information
or, especially, by making
associations between new and old
information
LTM: ENCODING
• Rehearsing and encoding
1. Maintenance rehearsal
• refers to simply repeating or rehearsing the information
rather than forming any new associations
She says: “ My number is 201-555-5555
He says: “ 201-555-5555, 201-555-5555
2. 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
She says: “My name is Cherry”
He says: “ Cherry, yeah like my old neighbor”
Long-Term Memory
•
Other Factors that determine if a memory
remains clear and lasting
1. Depth-of-Processing: If we remember
something, is based on how we
remembered it.
 A deep memory would be based on
language, or the words that describe it.
Long-Term memory
• Depth-of-Processing continued…..
 A memory based on more than one code is
the most lasting.
Paired-Association: In order to remember
paired words, the word is associated with a
visual image. Examples: pg. 134
Long-Term Memory
• Reconstructive Memory: We reconstruct our
memories according to our personal views.
We tend to personalize our memories in
accordance with our beliefs and needs.
• 1. Frederick Bartlett studied this in children
in 1932.
• 2. Loftus and Palmer studied the effects of
suggestion on memory.
• Memories include “Facts” plus personal
factors like schemas (or previously held
ideas about what things are .)
Long-Term Memory
• Cue-Dependent Memory: The connection
between the situational cues and the info.
Ex: Police take witnesses to the scene of the
crime
• State-Dependent: Emotional states call up
memories while in the same state. Ex:
feelings of happiness bring back memories
from other times when you were happy.
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
* controversial, but often associated with
young children who experience severe
sexual, or physical abuse
REPRESSED MEMORIES
• Implanting false memories
– studies on implanting false memories
simply show that a false suggestion can
grow into a vivid, detailed, and believable
personal memory
* Documented in both children and adults
* For this reason there are relatively few
cases where these recovered memories
are accepted in the courtroom.