Memory and Cognition

When studying material for tests/quizzes, what techniques or strategies do you use to

remember the information?

Memory The process by which information is

encoded, stored, and retrieved

Memory

Explicit – specific

information

Episodic - events

Semantic – general

knowledgeImplicit – skills,

procedures

Hippocampus =

Memory

Flashbulb Memories Clear memories of emotionally significant

events (episodic)

Memory Processes

Encoding

Storage

Retrieval

Encoding Translation of info into a form that can be

stored in memory

OTTFFSSENT

Encoding Visual coding – create a mental picture/image

Acoustic coding – repetition out loud to sequence

Semantic coding – attempt to make/assign meaning

Which penny is a REAL penny?

A

Storage

The maintenance of encoded information over time Maintenance rehearsal: repetition of new info

to avoid forgetting Elaborative rehearsal: creating a link between

new and old info

Memory is organized into groups/classes like a filing cabinet

Retrieval Recalling info from memory storage

Write the letters you attempted to memorize a few slides ago…

How did you remember these letters?

Success of retrieval relies on proper encoding and storage.

Retrieval Context-dependent memories

info is more easily retrieved in the same context in which it was encoded and stored

3 Stages of Memory

Sensory Memory

Attention

Short Term

MemoryRehearsal

Long Term

Memory

Forgetting

Forgetting

Forgetting

Sensory Memory Iconic – mental images of visual stimuli

Echoic – traces of sounds are held and can be retrieved for a few seconds

Short Term Memory

AKA “working memory”

7 +/- 2 pieces of info at a time

Chunking - organization of items into meaningful or manageable units How could you have chunked OTTFFSSENT?

Interference - when new info takes the place of other info in short term memory

Long Term Memory Info stored by rehearsal

Unlimited, but we do not remember everything that we have ever experienced/learned

We reconstruct and shape memories to reflect the way in which we perceive the world. Loftus Car Crash and Eye Witnesses

Types of Retrieval Recognition: identifying info you have already

encountered Multiple choice tests

Recall: retrieval of learned info Short answer/essays

Relearning: learning material a 2nd time Test corrections

Types of Forgetting

Decay: fading of memories overtime

Amnesia: loss of memory, usually tied to a brain injury or biological problem

How to Improve Your Memory

Maintenance rehearsal Flashcards, repetition

Elaborative rehearsal Make connections to past

info Use mnemonic devices

– any type of memory aid Please Excuse My Dear

Aunt Sally Form unusual

associations Peg method

Marshmallow Challenge!!!! Build the Tallest Freestanding Structure: The winning team is the

one that has the tallest structure measured from the table top surface to the top of the marshmallow. That means the structure cannot be suspended from a higher structure, like a chair, ceiling or chandelier.

The Entire Marshmallow Must be on Top: The entire marshmallow needs to be on the top of the structure. Cutting or eating part of the marshmallow disqualifies the team. 

Use as Much or as Little of the Kit: The team can use as many or as few of the 20 spaghetti sticks, as much or as little of the string or tape. The team cannot use the paper bag as part of their structure.

Break up the Spaghetti, String or Tape: Teams are free to break the spaghetti, cut up the tape and string to create new structures.

The Challenge Lasts 18 minutes: Teams cannot hold on to the structure when the time runs out. Those touching or supporting the structure at the end of the exercise will be disqualified.

Cognition AKA “thinking” Manipulating info

stored in memory to create new info

Metacognition - thinking about thinking Awareness of your own

thought processes

We think to solve problems…

Problem Solving The problem dictates the solving method

used.

Algorithm – specific step-by-step procedure that always solves a particular problem. EX: math formulas, a cooking recipe Time-consuming but always right

Heuristic – “rules of thumb,” shortcuts in problem solving that work most, but not all, of the time EX: common sense Fast but sometimes wrong

Insight Sudden understanding

Incubation Arriving at a conclusion after setting a

problem aside “Sleep on it…”

Functional Fixedness The tendency to think of an object as being

useful for only the function that the object is usually used for

Creativity The capacity to use info and

abilities in a new or original way

Convergent thinking - thinking limited to available facts

Divergent thinking - thinking that attempts to generate multiple solutions to a problem