Chapter 10
Memory and Thought
Memory
The storage and retrieval of what
has been learned or
experienced.
3 Components of Information Processing
•Encoding-
Input
(recording information)
•Storage-
Processing
(Saving of information)
•Retrieval- Output
(calling up and using stored information)
1st Component of
Information Processing
Encoding (Input)
Taking in information from all
senses
Information= Any event that
reduces uncertainty
Information that the senses capture are sent as impulses
through the nervous system
The Brain cannot let in all of the impulses it receives:
2 Ways to Help Narrow Sensory Input:
1. Selective Attention-
Selectively paying attention
to certain things
i.e., Listening only to your friend talk in a room full of people
that are talking with music playing and other noise
2. Feature Extraction-
Focusing on certain features of
objects or communications
•
i.e., cars, determine makes of cars by the features that you extract
type of bumpers, headlights etc.
•
you notice your name in a room full of people talking…
1. Selective Attention-
Selectively
paying attention to certain things
i.e., Listening only to your friend talk in a room
full of people that are talking with music
playing and other noise
2. Feature ExtractionEXAMPLE:
cars,
determine makes of cars by the
features that you extract
type of bumpers, headlights etc.
OR
you notice your name coming
from a group of people talking…
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2nd component of Information Processing
Memory
Where we store
information
3 Types of Memory
1. Sensory Storage Memory
2. Short Term Memory
3. Long Term Memory
Sensory Storage:
The senses of sight, and sound
are held as input for a
fraction of a second.
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1. Sensory Storage
serves 3 functions:
1. Prevents us becoming overwhelmed
with stimuli2. retains info only long enough for us to
decide if it is important enough to save
3. Helps maintain continuity in our lives
Short Term Memory:
(Working Memory)
information stored in our
conscious mind
-Memory limited in capacity to about 7
items
-Duration of retention is determined by
rehearsal
(20 seconds)
Short term memory is aided by:
Maintenance Rehearsalrepeating information to yourself
(information is lost after about 20 seconds without
rehearsal)
Chunking-
putting items in
groups to aid in rehearsal
4-6-2-7-5-8-2
462-7582
The Primacy-Recency Effect:
crackers
crackers
cheese
mustard
carrots
shampoo
dish soap
coffee
bread
grapes
jelly
pickles
cheese
mustard
carrots
shampoo
dish soap
coffee
bread
grapes
jelly
pickles
Ability to recall is better at the beginning and end of a list.
Long Term Memory:
Information Stored in the brain
For future use
How Memory Works:
A Play
S
Actorssee
Soundshear
Sensory
Storage
Short Term
Memory
E
L
E
C
T
I
V
E
A
T
T
E
N
T
I
O
N
Chunks
Scenes And
Sounds
Feature
Extraction
Long term
Memory
I
N
P
U
T
rehearsal
Short Term
Memory
Decision
Making
OUTPUT
Long
Term
Memory
retrieval
Memory Span
• Sensory Storage-
split second
• Short Term- 20 seconds without rehearsal
• Long Term-
Years
Three Systems of Memory
• Sensory Storage
• Short Term
• Long Term
Types of Long Term Memory
Dealing with what we remember
•Episodic
•Semantic
•Declarative
•Proceedural
Semantic Memory
Knowledge of language, rules, words
And meanings
Episodic Memory
Life memories of times and places,
Experiences, past times
Declarative Memory
•Involves both semantic and episodic
•Knowledge called forth as it is needed
when writing things down or communicating info to
Others.
This is the memory that is affected by
Amnesia!
Procedural Memory
Unconscious recollection of information
•Skills we perform without thinking
•Habits we possess
•Fears
•Other things we learn through classical conditioning
Journal Entry #3
In as great of detail as possible
illustrate in written and drawing form
one of your favorite childhood
memories.
Declarative
Episodic
Semantic
Amnesia
Memory loss
Procedural
skills
3rd Component of Information Processing
Retrieving Information
(Remembering)
?
Name?
Stored information is useless you
can retrieve it!
Priming Exercise
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Woodchuck
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Monkey
Barrel
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Compact
Glue
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Recall
System
Ways of retrieving stored
information
1.Recognition
2.Recall
3.Relearning
Ways of Retrieving
1. Recognition- storing information in
more than one category under more than
one heading
•
•
Recognize a song no matter what instrument
Recognize a sound of an instrument no matter
what song
I remember hearing that song, what was the name of it??…
Song Name
Where it was heard
who I was with when I heard it
Group name
Music Genre
2.Recall- Active reconstruction
of memories
Reconstructive Processes influence the information
we recall because of attitudes and experiences or
inference from other information.
Confabulation-
information
Not really remembered totally and
blanks were filled in to make it
interesting
Eidetic memory-
Photographic Memory
3. Relearning-
After learning has
taken place it is easier to learn
the second time
Blocks Retrieval
Forgetting-
When info in the
long term memory cannot be
retrieved
Causes: 1.
Decay
2. Interference
3. Repression
Hypnosis, Meditation, Brain Stimulation
Can sometimes retrieve lost information
Decay- Memory simply fades away
Memory
Memory
Retroactive Interference:
A new memory keeps you from remembering
An old one
i.e., remembering your old phone number after
learning your new one
Proactive Interference:
A memory from past times or experiences blocks you
from remembering something more recent
i.e., old phone number makes it difficult for your to
remember your new one
Improving Memory
1. Chunking
2. Meaningful Association
Four Score and Seven Year Ago
F
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A
3. Over Learn- Keep rehearsing
4. Mnemonic Devices
Rhymes, visual pictures
enchantedmind com
.
Information Input
A. Thinking
B. Problem Solving
C. Creativity
A.
Thinking
Changing and reorganizing
information stored in memory
to create new information
Building Blocks of Mental Activity
Units of Thought
Building Blocks of Mental Activity
•Image- Mental representation
•Symbol- Sound or design that
represents something
•Concepts- Label for a class of objects
humans, mean people, animals, vehicle
•Prototype- A representative example of a concept
Vehicle= truck Animal= zebra
•Rules-
Mean people= Humans=
Most Complex- A statement of relationships
between concepts
• a person can’t be in two places at one time
• Mass remains constant despite changes in appearance
http://www.puzzles.com/projects/GridWorks/LogicPuzzles177
-178/LogicPuzzles177-178.htm
http://fantasticcontraption.com/index.php?sess=0bdbe95167
5b5f9eff30de973cfa5b36#
Types of Thinking
Directed Thinking----(Convergent
Thinking)
Thinking on purpose—consciously providing
mental attention on solving a problem
Goal
Non Directed Thinking----
(Divergent
Daydreaming
Metacognition
Thinking)
Types of thinking1. Convergent- (Directed Thinking)
systematic and logical attempts to achieve goals
Problem solving on purpose
Goal
2. Divergent Thinking- (Non-directed)
Thinking with no specific purpose—Free flow
of thoughts
Daydreaming
Occurs when a person is
Not Focused
Bored
Worried
Under Stress
Scientists and Artists claim to have their
Best ideas during divergent thinking
3.MetacognitionThinking about thinking
Problem- (can’t solve)
Think about your though process
while trying to solve it
Develop a different strategy
Central Processing of Information
B. Problem Solving- developing solutions
Strategies: Specific methods for approaching problems
1.
2.
3.
Break down problem into small groups or segments- so much to do
… So you tackle the problem one component at a time….i.e. semester
finals and projects due
Work backwards from the goal- ending of story first
Examine various avenues to use to acomplish a goal – map reading
We often rely on past experiences to help us
solve current problems
Try to
think
Outside of the Box!
Algorithms-
a fixed set of procedures that lead to
solutions used in math and science
Heuristics- Shortcut strategies
or experimental strategies used to solve problems
* rules of thumb
•Using plans and procedures that have worked in the
past- fixing computer or vehicle problems
When strategy
becomes habit
Mental Set
•Always marking the same square first when playing
Tic tac toe
X
When strategy
becomes habit
Mental Set
Functional FixednessIn ability to solve problems
because of habit or set
I.Q. testing
measures flexibility in thinking
+
X
Which of these shapes is least like the other four?
Is to
1
2
as
3
is to
4
5
What color is snow?
What color is the opposite of black?
Connect all of the dots using only 4 lines:
Keep a running total
1000
40
1000
30
1000
wmp
Windows Media Player.lnk
20
1000
10
Why 5000?
Total
4100
Fixedness can be overcome
if it is realized that a strategy is not
working and the you look for new
ways to approach the problem
Results in
CREATiVIty
Central Processing of Information
C. Creativity-
ability to use information
in a way that is new, original and
meaningful
Characteristics of Creative Thinkers
1. Flexibility- able to overcome rigidity
2. Recombination- arranging things in new
mental order
3. Insight- Sudden emergence of a solution
“AH Ha”
Define and Illustrate these Units of Thought
Image
Symbol
Define:
Concept
Prototype
Rules