Memory
Memory
Memory
Remembering And Forgetting
With out memory, i.e. without the ability to keep what we learn in mind, and the ability
to retrieve what is in the mind, all learning becomes very temporary, and often useless.
Definitions
“The power we have to ‘store’ our experiences, and to bring them into the field of
consciousness sometime after the experiences have occurred, is termed, memory”.
-Ryburn, 1956.
“The means by which individuals draw on past knowledge in order to use such
knowledge in the present”
-the dynamic mechanism associated with the retention and retrieval of information;
-The three operations through which information is processed by and for memory are
encoding, storage, and retrieval.”
- Sternberg, 2003.
Types of Memory
Immediate Memory
Short term Memory
Long term Memory
Immediate Memory
Immediate memory or sensory memory helps to recall something within a few seconds
only. Retentive time of immediate memory is extremely brief, generally from a fraction
of a second to several seconds. E.g. Remembering a telephone number only till we make
a call, and then forgetting.
can be extended further by effort. Short term memory is also called WORKING
MEMORY. All that we are aware of at a present moment is said to be in the short-term
memory or working memory.
Studying Memory
Purpose
Studies are conducted….
1. To understand the process and nature of memory
2. To understand the individual differences in memory
3. To learn the economical methods of memorization
Recall:
Free recall: the participant is to recall the list of items given to remember in any
order, as many items as possible.
Probed recall: the subject is given a cue to remember appropriate item. Eg. in a
paired phrase memory test, (box-cat), the first (box) syllable is given. The demand is
to remember the appropriate word that was paired with the syllable (cat).
Serial recall: the participant is to remember the materials with their exact place as
they were presented. (eg. the first one or the last one, or the 10th one, or ….)
Methods of Ebbinghaus
General:
1. Learning method: checking how many trials a person takes to memorize a given
material. (Usually meaningless monosyllables)
2. Saving method: after a person learns a given material well, he is given a long time of
rest, during which he forgets what he learned. Then it is again seen how many trials
he needs to memorize the same material again. (Usually less number of trials).
Question is how many trials he saves.
Economic methods:
1. Recitation method: instead of going on reading the matter, after two or three readings
the person recites the matter within his mind (to self-evaluate his memory and plan
further practice).
2. Whole and part method: some learn the whole material at a stretch. Others memorize
part by part. (for longer material this method is better).
Training in Memory
Our memory capacity is limitless. We can improve our memory by training.
To improve memory:
o keep your mind relaxed with mild emotions. (full concentration is possible)
o have self-confidence about remembering.
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follow methods, like association of ideas, systematic thinking etc. to improve encoding
and recall.
don’t fight within yourself to recall for a long time. If you find it difficult, give it up
for the time being. When you are relaxed, attempt again.
To improve learning:
motivation and determination to learn.
(Create your own mood)
interest and attention: No interest, no attention, so no effective learning.
“ Interest is the mother of attention and attention is the mother of memory”
use methods of memorization.
use principle of association
Grouping and Rhythm
utilize as many senses as possible (eg. use audio visuals)
learning situation: facilitative, without disturbances
internal factor of the learner: physical and mental health, emotional status.
change and rest
continuous repetition and practice
Memory Techniques
Basic is motivation, interest and relaxation.
Repetition especially spaced repetition.
Loci method (list) (story of Cicero) (Roman Room method)
Association : (list) eg. body parts association.
Link method, or chain method. (list) (visualize and associate-funny and ridiculous
images)
Story method. (list) (create a story connecting the things you want to remember)
Mnemonics: (list)
Acronyms: (list) VIBGYOR
Song method: (list) create a song. Abcd..efgh…
To remember ideas
Keep those ideas in your working memory longer, so that it will reach the long term
memory. You can,
-paraphrase
-raise questions
-analyse
compare and contrast
device something new
-criticize
-practically apply
information management (show them the slides)
Learning techniques like SQ4R (Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Revise, Reflect) could
be used. Recently there are also methods like Mind-Mapping, Concept-Mapping are
used to keep ideas and longer coherent data in memory.
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Forgetting
Definitions
Forgetting is the loss, permanent or temporary, of the ability to recall or recognize
something learned earlier. (Munn 1967)
Forgetting is the failure of the individual to revive (to) in consciousness an idea or
group of ideas without the help of the original stimulus (Bhatia, 1968)