MEMORY

DR WAN NORHAIDA WAN ABDULLAH

12 DEC 2010

CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION STAGES OF MEMORY DISORDERED OF MEMORY

Introduction
Memory is a process by which information is encoded, stored and retrieved Memory is intrinsically linked to learning and involves:

The learning of associations The learning of skills The storage of information The learning of new information (anterograde memory) The recall of previously learnt information (retrograde memory)

Stages of memory
Encoding/registration
Visual coding Phonological Coding Semantic coding Sensory memory Short term memory Long term memory

Storage

Retrieval

Recall recognition

Encoding/registration
The initial processing of information enabling it to be assimilated (requires attention)

Information is encoded in the form of: 1. Visual code

Based on a mental picture of the object Based on the sound and names of the object Based on a meaningful association that the objects have

2. Phonological code
3. Semantic code

Storage
1) Sensory memory
Characteristics 1. Contains all information initially acquired by the organ senses:
1. 2. 3.

Echoic-auditory Iconic-visual Haptic-touch

2. Short lasting 0.5 sec (visual), 3 sec (auditory) 3. Only attended stimuli are transferred into the next storage

 Maximum number of immediately

recallable item is called span of apprehension

 How many items can you recall? Typically 3 or 4 items Maybe larger, but hard to ascertain due to

measurement difficulty

Storage
2)Short term memory Primary/working memory Characteristics 1. Contains conscious information 2. Lost in about 20-30 seconds 3. Information rehearsed/elaborated will be transferred to long term memory

Encoding in STM require selective attention Many STM problems are related to lapse of attention Information in STM are encoded in the form of:
1. Visual code
2. Phonological code

Information stored in STM lasted in about 20 seconds The capacity of STM to store information is very limited (7+2) Information in STM is lost due to
1. Natural decay 2. Displacement of old item with the new ones

 Retrieval of information from STM require

serial search
Serial search refers to a search in which

items are examine one at a time

STM can be boosted by the process of

chunking

 Chunking refers to combining bits of

information into meaningful units

Read the following BGI TAE LTE GDO THE Can you recall the information

 Now try again

THE EAT DOG BIG LET

Easier isnt it? Try this one

LET THE BIG DOG EAT

A lot easier isnt it, that explains chunking i.e. combining bits of information into

meaningful units

Long term memory

Secondary memory Permanent store

Characteristics 1. Information are stored via elaboration process from short term memory

Elaboration refers to a variety of processes that facilitate information retention (eg. Transforming an object into visual image; associating an object with a meaning ect)

2. The size of LTM is unlimited 3. Information retrieved from long term is

placed back in STM

Information are encoded in long term memory

using semantic code Information are stored by adding a meaningful connection to the objects

 Following registration needs few minutes for

consolidation Coding in LTM can be visual, acoustic and semantic ..requires motivation LTM can be
Declarative ( knowing that) Declarative can be episodic ( knowing when) Semantic (knowing about)

Procedural (knowing how)

 Declarative episodic: LTM for event and

places-autobiographical memory that is clear and explicit Declarative semantic: explicit LTM of meaning of words Procedural: Implicit LTM concerning skills

Retrieval
Recall information from LTM-STM Explicit : memories are recalled completely

with subjective temporal awareness Implicit: no conscious recollection or temporal awareness.

Forgetting
The loss of information from memory-

retrieval failure Unlike STM, Forgetting in LTM usually results from a lost access to information In STM, forgetting is due to? Have you experience an inability to recall a point in examination and only to have it once you get out of exam room?

Interference The learning and recall of an item is influenced by new learning in between as this disrupt consolidation of original item
Can impair retrieval Recall that we stored information in LTM by adding meaningful association (cue or keyword)

Interference cont Many times the same cue is used for several objects
If we try to use that cue to recall an items,

other objects may be activated and interfere with information retrieval

 Decay theory :
With time memories faded. Forgetting is time-

dependent

LTM retrieval is facilitated by 1. Organization of information into categories

2. Context in which the information was

encoded

Memory and Emotion

1. Rehearsal 2. Flashbulb memories 3. Retrieval interference via anxiety 4. Context effects 5. Repression

Rehearsal
Human tendency to repeat, talk, think

about emotionally charged situation (positive and negative) than the neutral one
Rehearsal facilitate transfer from STM to LTM

Flashbulb memories
A vivid and relatively permanent record of

the circumstances during which one learned an emotionally charged situation

Tsunami victims

Anxiety
Severe anxiety can hinder information

retrieval
Imagine yourself in an exam room
You are unable to answer the initial question

which carry half of the total mark You may likely to find yourself unable to answer the subsequent questions

Context effects
Context facilitate memory retention

Recall is best when the emotional states during which the information is retrieved match that during encoding
When you encode an information in a

happy mood, its easier to retrieve the information when you are in a happy mood.

Repression
Based on the Freuds theory of the

unconscious
Storing a traumatic experience in the

unconscious i.e. intentional forgetting

Allowing such experience to enter

consciousness would cause the individual overwhelmed by anxiety

Test of memory
Recall of past personal life event Recall of recent personal event STM: recall of simple name and adress after 5

minutes, repeating sentence, digit span General knowlegde test

Disordered of memories
Anterograde amnesia Retrograde amnesia