Memory Chapter 8 Summary

Within chapter eight, the human memory as a system that processes information in three steps, encoding, storing, and retrieving information. Encoding refers to the process of putting information into the memory system. Storage is the mechanism by which information is maintained in memory. Retrieval is the process by which information is accessed from memory through recall or recognition, which are two measures of retention. For example, when reminiscing about a field trip a student has taken. Most students would rather take a multiple-choice test, which utilizes recognition memory, than an essay test, which employs recall memory. Retrieval of information is much more likely if individuals are tested in the same physical context in which the

Myers uses Richard Atkinson and Richard Shiffrin model to explain how our memory-forming process works. First, information can be quick, sudden, and have a large capacity, which is known as the sensory memory. Then there is short-term memory, which is temporary storage of a few items before it is forgotten. Lastly, there is long-term memory in which information is stored for an extended period of time. The final section of the chapter discusses the issue of memory construction. How "true" are our memories of events? A particularly controversial issue in this area involves suspicious claims of long-repressed memories of sexual abuse and other traumas that are "recovered" with the aid of hypnosis and other techniques. To improve people’s memory they need to have a routine in which people rehearse what they are trying to remember repeatedly. In order for this one method of many to work the person needs to arrange their practice over time, in different

Such as, explicit memories which are conscious memories, for example, remembering who came to my senior night soccer game last night. Psychologist eventually proved that the frontal lobe and hippocampus play a role in explicit memories. Where the hippocampus is a “security guard” for explicit memories keeping them all safe. While implicit memories are unconscious memories, for instance, walking, riding a bike, writing your name at the top of a paper, etc. The cerebellum and basal ganglia play a role in implicit memories. Where the cerebellum is like the “point guard” on a basketball team, starting all the plays to try and get the ball in the hoop where the points are scored or stored. The basal ganglia are like a “gear” in a machine, without it the “machine” would not function properly or the person will no longer be able to ride a bike, walk, and so on. The article touches upon how implicit memories occur without our knowledge saying, “...getting sweaty palms in dangerous situations or getting sweaty palms when you see a dog is you were bitten once,” (Popescu) just like in the textbook when Myers relays that:

Joseph LeDoux (1996) recounted the story of a brain-damaged patient whose amnesia left her unable to recognize her physician as, each day, he shook her hand and introduced himself. One day, she yanked her hand back, for the physician