Chapter 10 Notes Cont’

The first memory process is encoding- the transforming of information so that the
nervous system can process it.
this has a few parts:
Acoustic codes- saying something repeatedly to form a memory
Visual codes- keeping a mental picture to remember something
Semantic codes- making sense out of information, to member the letters d.
e. r. n. f. i, you use a semantic code and remember friend :)

After information is encoded it goes through the second process, storage- the process by
which information is maintained over a period of time.
The amount of information stored depends on how much effort was put into
encoding the information and its importance. Information can be stored from a nano-
second (not very long) or 4 score and 7 years (a lot longer!)

The 3rd process is retrieval- the process of obtaining information that has been stored in
memory. The ease of retrieval depends on how efficiently it was encoded and stored (as
well as your current environment and physical limitations and heredity.

B. Storing Information
1. sensory store - information is received and held for about a second
2. short-term memory - information is kept in your mind as long as you repeat it
a. chunking - you can only keep about 7 - 8 separate bits of information in
STM so it helpls to break large info into smaller chunks
b. rehearsal- this is repeating the behavior (me and my meds, the 43 or so
presidents)
c. Priamcy effect- we tend to remember the first things in a list as we
have had time to rehearse them
d. Recency effect- we tend to remember the last things in a list, as they are
the last or most recent we encountered.
f. Working Memory- STM is also called working memory, as it is
generally what we are workin on at a given time.
3. long-term memory - information is stored indefinitely if enough rehearsal
takes place OR if the information has enough value
Types:
Semantic Memory: Knowledge of language, including its rules, words,
and meanings.
Episodic Memory: chronological retention of the events of one's life

Declarative Memory: stored knowledge that can be called forth

consciously as needed

Procedural Memory: permanent storage of learned skills that does not

require conscious recollection

C. Retrieving Information
recognition - the ability to recognize learned information (i.e. multiple choice)
recall - ability to reconstruct information (i.e. short answers or fill-in-the-blanks)
a. reconstuctive process: The alteration of a recalled memory that may be
simplified, enriched, or distorted, depending on an individual's experiences, attitudes, or
inferences. (Never let the truth get in the way of a good story!)
b. confabulation - we tend to fill in gaps in our memories with made up
information
c. Schemas- conceptual frameworks a person uses to make sense of the world.
Sets of expectations about something that is based on our past experiences. The cop was
right, or the cop was wrong.
d. eidetic memory - “photographic memory”