The following is the information for your 2nd quarter Extra Credit opportunity:
AP Psych 2nd Quarter Extra Credit
Worth up to 10 points on any 2nd quarter test grade
Due Wednesday 1/15/14
(Must be either handed during your class period or emailed before your class period to receive credit. You will
not be permitted to print anything before class so please come prepared. NO EXCUSES ACCEPTED -- if it's
important enough for you to get the credit you will turn it in on time.)
Format Requirements:
2 paragraphs (altogether approximately 1 page);
typed; 12-point standard font; double-spaced;
default margins
If we remembered everything, we should on most occasions be as ill off as if we remembered
nothing.” ― William James
Memory is an interesting concept and there is still much about human memory that is unknown. As we have
discussed this year, one way that scientists work to study the functions of the brain is by studying subjects
who possess extreme abilities. In this case the extremes represent very different abilities in memory -- the
case of Clive Wearing who "remembers nothing" and the cases of those with super-autobiographical memory
who "remember everything".
Clive Wearing suffered from viral encephalitis when he was in his 40s. Since then, he is unable to process any
new memories. In addition, his memory of things from before his illness is spotty -- he remembers a lot of
information about music, but has lost many of his other memories. Here is the link to the clip we watched in
case you want to review it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nt5qY0TO_Jc
The clip we watched starts at 1:16 and ends at about 8:30
A relatively new finding in memory research pertains to what is being called superior-autobiographical
memory. These are cases of people who remember just about every detail of their lives. Here are the links to
the clips we watched in case you want to review them:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHeEQ85m79I (Part I)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1th1fVIc8Vo (Part II)
For the extra credit assignment, write a reaction to the above William James quote. You may include pretty
much anything that relates but you should make sure to include some specific details to link your reaction to
our study of memory thus far. You may, of course, also include information from topics from earlier this year
(the brain or learning, for instance). Personal reactions are welcomed and encouraged as long as they are
supported by factual information.