Why Our Memory Fails UsWhy Our Memory Fails UsPsychology

Miss Gardner

Warm-UpWarm-UpWhat are some reasons that our

memory might fail us?

Memory Disorders Memory Disorders OverviewOverview

Any illness can cause memory ipairment

Any time that concentration is disrupted, memory will be affected

Disorders that affect the memory number around 50.

Alzheimer’s DiseaseAlzheimer’s DiseaseProgressive

deterioration of the brain

Elderly

No known cause

Main effects on memory

Alzheimer’sAlzheimer’shttp://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/best-videos-alzheimers#7

http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/best-videos-alzheimers#13

Alzheimer’s DiseaseAlzheimer’s DiseaseSymptoms:

1. Unawareness of memory problems2. Confusion3. Short-term question repetition4. Getting lost in familiar areas5. Forgetting

a) who they are b) memories from younger years c) meaning of words d) simple tasks

Treatment for Alzheimer’sTreatment for Alzheimer’sNo known cure

Mental exercises as prevention

Medications for symptoms

Investigation of supplements (fish oil, etc.)

Amnesia OverviewAmnesia OverviewDefinition: Loss of memory

Temporary or permanent

Causes: injury, shock, fatigue, illness, repression, or drugs

Amnesia in the MoviesAmnesia in the Movies

Anterograde AmnesiaAnterograde AmnesiaOccurs after an injury or trauma

Individual cannot form new memories of new events

Implicit memory is preserved

Clive!!!

Anterograde AmnesiaAnterograde Amnesia

Retrograde AmnesiaRetrograde AmnesiaInability to remember events

before a trauma or injury

May stretch from minutes to years

Typically worse for events right before the trauma

Retrograde AmnesiaRetrograde Amnesia

AphasiaAphasiaDefinition: The loss of memory for words

Expressive/Motor: Loss of ability to write/speak words

Receptive/Sensory: Loss of memory for meaning of spoken, written words, or symbols

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aplTvEQ6ew

Dissociative AmnesiaDissociative AmnesiaA time period in the past is

forgotten because it was traumatic or stressful

Fugue AmnesiaFugue AmnesiaA person forgets his/her identity

Extremely rare

The person may wake up and suddenly have no sense of who they are. He or she looks in the mirror and sees a stranger. In the wallet or purse the person may find identification, but the name and birth date on the driver's license seem meaningless.

Fugue Amnesia Video ClipFugue Amnesia Video Cliphttp://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=QajubDsCcrw

Dissociative Identity Dissociative Identity DisorderDisorderA person has “multiple

personalities”

They forget events that happen when another personality is present

PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)Disorder)

A reaction to a terrifying event where the person suffers from intrusive memories

Caused by events of severe stress- war, murder, disasters.

Most often seen in veterans

Specific Memory FailureSpecific Memory Failure

Memory Failure OverviewMemory Failure Overview

ForgettingForgetting

Penny Exercise AnswersPenny Exercise Answers2. The words United States of America

5. The words One Cent6. The date (year) of the mint11. The right side of Lincoln’s face14. The Lincoln Memorial15. The words In God We Trust16. The word Liberty19. The words E Pluribus Unum

Penny ExercisePenny Exercise

Encoding FailureEncoding FailureRepresents a failure to encode.

The details of a penny are not that important to us…absent-mindedness

Also, we think about what should be, not what is.

Capital City ExerciseCapital City ExerciseName as many as you can

without help.

Write the first few letters if you only remember part of the word.

I will give you a hint.

What type of memory failure What type of memory failure does this exercise represent?does this exercise represent?

InterferenceInterferenceProactive Interference- When an

older memory disrupts recall of a newer memory.

Retroactive Interference- When a more recent memory disrupts recall of an older memory.

Repression vs. Retrieval Repression vs. Retrieval ExerciseExercise1. Precious Stone: First2. Fish: Second3. State: Third4. Insect: Second5. Type of Music: First6. Alcoholic Beverage:

Third7. Color: Second8. Military Title: Third9. Article of Clothing:

First10. Sport: Second

11. Musical Instrument: First12. Four-Footed Animal:

Third13. Occupation: First14. Weapon: Third15. Furniture: Second16. Type of Fuel: Second17. Disease: First18: Vegetable: Third19. Type of Vehicle:

Second20. Body Part: First

Memory ConstructionMemory ConstructionHave you ever had a strong, vivid

memory and later learned you were wrong (or realized that what you remember could not have happened)? If so, write it down.

Why do you think this occurred?

We will share our answers…

ConstructsConstructsA complex idea resulting from

the combination of simpler ideas

Not directly observable

Something built systematically

Constantly changing

Answer the following in Answer the following in groups:groups:What if the simpler

ideas/experiences from which we construct our memories are not all accurate?

What does this mean for our identity?

War of the GhostsWar of the GhostsWe slightly alter images,

memories, and ideas to fit into our own method of understanding/remembering

Listen very carefully!

How/Why does our memory How/Why does our memory transform material?transform material?

Accepted/conventional representations- That couldn’t have been a wolf…it was a dog

Some features cannot be labeled until a recognized form is produced-If it doesn’t fit anything that we know/are used to, we have trouble recognizing or remembering it…chemistry anyone?

Bartlett’s ConclusionsBartlett’s ConclusionsAfter first recall, the general form

or outline stays the sameForm and items become

stereotyped and then don’t change

Story is rationalized (westernized)- symbolization

We simplify, omit, and transform images into things we recognize

Misinformation EffectMisinformation EffectIncorporating misleading

information into a memory.

Examples?

Eyewitness TestimonyEyewitness TestimonyIdentify the bomber on the roof…http://

www.psychology.iastate.edu/~glwells/theeyewitnesstest.html

Child TestimonyChild TestimonyImagine that you are a therapist

or attorney who needs to interview a child about a possible case of abuse. Describe the procedure that you would use to ensure that the answers are as accurate as possible.

Is Repression Real?Is Repression Real?Our memories are anchored by

context cues…If we dig deep enough, we can retrieve them.

Improving Memory Group Improving Memory Group ExerciseExerciseDevelop a study plan for a student

using 4-5 of the memory techniques in your book.

Imagine that the student has a psychology test approaching, and they want a detailed plan of methods, techniques, and examples that they can use to succeed on this exam.