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
– 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
•
•
Functions of sensory memory
– prevents being overwhelmed
– gives decision time
– provides stability, playback, and recognition
2 Types:
– 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
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 & capacity
– 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.)
•
•
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
– Which is easier to remember?
• 4 8 3 7 9 2 5 1 6 or 483 792 516
• TXWMKYRKL or USACALBYE
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
• 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
• Examples:
– What did you eat for lunch today?
– Was the last time you studied during the day or night?
– You know the meanings of these very words you are reading.
Are you actively trying to process the definition of the words?
– 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
• Examples:
– Memorizing your notes for your upcoming Introduction to
Psychology exams
– Repeating a phone number in your head until you can write it
down
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.)
Maintenance Rehearsal
Sensory
Input
Attention
Sensory
Memory
Encoding
Working or
Long-term
Short-term
memory
Memory Retrieval
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