Memory
H.M had epileptic seizure at 16
Operated on 11 years later
Removed bilateral medial temporal lobes including hippocampus
Profound anterograde amnesia:
Can’t remember his last meal, where he lives or his present age .
Clive wearing: British expert in music
Herpes encephalitis
Unable to store new memories (amnesia)
Spends everyday waking up every 20sec
Still recalls:
How to play the piano
Conduct a choir
Memory isn’t just one thing
Impairment in one aspect of memory can affect another.
Doesn’t mean you are without memory.
Importance of memory
Impossible to learn without memory.
Learning is central to our survival.
Allows us to adapt and learn.
Remember the previous context of a present situation to learn.
Relevant to psychology
What is memory?
An active system that records, stores and later retrieves experiences and
information.
Memory is: process and place
Memory processes (ECSR) “everything can seem right”
1) Encoding
2) Consolidation
3) Storage
4) Retrieval
1) Encoding (keyboard)
Converts sensory information into a form that the brain can use.
Translating it into a neural code
(just like a laptop converts what you type into a code for the laptop to
process)
Rehearse information over and over.
Elaborate on the meaning of the information.
Automatic encoding: people unconsciously notice and remember things .
(nude pumps)
+ flashbulb memories: unexpected event or episode in your life that has
strong emotional associations. (Bathroom door embarrassment).
2) Consolidation
Recent learned experiences are transformed into long term memories.
, Something that happens over time to make memories last:
Structural and chemical changes in the nervous system.
3) Storage (hard drive)
Retaining information over time, the time the information is held will differ.
Like saving information in a hard drive.
4) Retrieval (opening a file on a computer)
Processes that access stored information.
Getting info you know out of storage.
Like opening a file on a computer.
Models of memory
Information processing model
Parallel distributed processing model
Levels of processing model
1) Information processing model:
A metaphor inspired by advances in computer technology.
The mind as a system that processes information.
Encodes, stores and retrieves information rather like a computer system
However:
Human memory is more prone to error.
Human memory is more ‘constructive’.
It can ‘remember’ events that never occurred.
2) Parallel distributed processing model
Memory as a simultaneous process.
Creation and storage of memories taking place across a series of mental
networks ‘stretched’ across the brain.
Simultaneous processing allows people to retrieve different accepts of a
memory all at once.
Facilitates much faster reactions and decisions.
3) Levels of processing model
Length of time = depth of processing
All the models have some truth to it:
H.M had epileptic seizure at 16
Operated on 11 years later
Removed bilateral medial temporal lobes including hippocampus
Profound anterograde amnesia:
Can’t remember his last meal, where he lives or his present age .
Clive wearing: British expert in music
Herpes encephalitis
Unable to store new memories (amnesia)
Spends everyday waking up every 20sec
Still recalls:
How to play the piano
Conduct a choir
Memory isn’t just one thing
Impairment in one aspect of memory can affect another.
Doesn’t mean you are without memory.
Importance of memory
Impossible to learn without memory.
Learning is central to our survival.
Allows us to adapt and learn.
Remember the previous context of a present situation to learn.
Relevant to psychology
What is memory?
An active system that records, stores and later retrieves experiences and
information.
Memory is: process and place
Memory processes (ECSR) “everything can seem right”
1) Encoding
2) Consolidation
3) Storage
4) Retrieval
1) Encoding (keyboard)
Converts sensory information into a form that the brain can use.
Translating it into a neural code
(just like a laptop converts what you type into a code for the laptop to
process)
Rehearse information over and over.
Elaborate on the meaning of the information.
Automatic encoding: people unconsciously notice and remember things .
(nude pumps)
+ flashbulb memories: unexpected event or episode in your life that has
strong emotional associations. (Bathroom door embarrassment).
2) Consolidation
Recent learned experiences are transformed into long term memories.
, Something that happens over time to make memories last:
Structural and chemical changes in the nervous system.
3) Storage (hard drive)
Retaining information over time, the time the information is held will differ.
Like saving information in a hard drive.
4) Retrieval (opening a file on a computer)
Processes that access stored information.
Getting info you know out of storage.
Like opening a file on a computer.
Models of memory
Information processing model
Parallel distributed processing model
Levels of processing model
1) Information processing model:
A metaphor inspired by advances in computer technology.
The mind as a system that processes information.
Encodes, stores and retrieves information rather like a computer system
However:
Human memory is more prone to error.
Human memory is more ‘constructive’.
It can ‘remember’ events that never occurred.
2) Parallel distributed processing model
Memory as a simultaneous process.
Creation and storage of memories taking place across a series of mental
networks ‘stretched’ across the brain.
Simultaneous processing allows people to retrieve different accepts of a
memory all at once.
Facilitates much faster reactions and decisions.
3) Levels of processing model
Length of time = depth of processing
All the models have some truth to it:
