Course: Advanced Topics in Memory

Dr Panayiotis Patrikelis 14:00 am - 15:00 pm on Tuesdays,

in Room

Aims of the Course

1. To build on your existing knowledge ofmemory processes and to develop it further by

covering several important issues in more depth than before

2. The particular framework that is adopted forthe course refers to the distinction between Prospective and Retrospective Memory

3. Historical context – The real-life/laboratory controversy (Recurring Debates)

Structure of the CoursePart 1. History and the current status of thiscontroversy. Also methodological issues of studying memory in and outside the lab (Lectures 1 & 2)

Part 2. I will examine topics in Retrospective Memory research (e,g., survival memory, testing effect, autobiographical memory) (Lectures 3-5 & 9)

Part 3. I will examine topics in Prospective Memory (Lectures 6-8)

Structure of the Course

Lecture 10 Seminar – Discussion of PTSD as a special memory disorder

Lecture 11 Exam Revision session

What do you have to do?

1. Reading material on StudyNet in advance of the lecture

2. Reading material to be read before each lecture

Compulsory reading and recommended reading

3. Lectures to help you understand the reading material

4. Questions to think about – some may be linked to

exam questions

Aims of Lecture 1

1. Some background info on memory (definition, distinctions/tasks, a bit of history)

2. Distinction between laboratory and everyday memory research(recurring debates about which approach is better)

3. A key concept: Ecological Validity

When do we use memory?

What is the importance of memory?

(a case of Clive Wearing)

Some Questions

Video with Olever Sacks on Clive Wearing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsJ_y80uP3U

A short video on Clive Wearing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vwigmktix2Y

Memory - a unitary system?

The different memory systems may "range in storage

duration from fractions of a second up to a lifetime,

and storage capacity from tiny buffer stores to the

long term memory system that appears to far exceed

in capacity and flexibility the largest available

computer" (Baddeley, 1990, p. 4).

(Some everyday examples)

Memory - a definition

One is dealing with memory processes every

time a previously encountered event

(in the most general sense of this word) is

retained and subsequently activated and used

explicitly or implicitly by a person in the

current situation.

(Examples of explicit and implicit activation)

What are the well known distinctions in memory? – a class discussion

3 Stages in Memory

(1) ENCODING

(2) RETENTION

(3) RETRIEVAL

Voluntary (retrieval)

Involuntary (retrieval)

Deliberate (encoding)

Free Recall Recognition Cued Recall

Prospective memory

Incidental (encoding)

Autobiographical Memories (AMs) Eyewitness testimony LOP studies

InvoluntaryAMs Intrusive memories TOT state Mind-popping

2 x 2 classification of Memory Tasks

Compulsory Reading List in preparation for Lecture 2

AVAILABLE ON STUDYNET (Folder for Lecture 1)

1. A paper on ecological validity

Kvavilashvili, L. & Ellis, J. (2004) Ecological validity and twenty years of real-life/laboratory controversy in memory research: A critical (and historical) review. History and Philosophy of Psychology, 6, 59-80.

Questions for Lecture 2

1. Which is more important for ecological validity: Generalisability or representativeness?

2. Is there any difference in the concept of generalisability within the concepts of external validity and ecological validity?