Memory

For memory in computer programming, see Memory Organization.

Components

• Episodic memory = replay previous experiences (episodes)
• Semantic memory = just remembering the information, if repeated a lot
• Procedural memory = used for remembering skills, “muscle memory”
• Working memory = “consciousness”, pulling information from other memory system together, it’s spatial and verbal as well

• To remember: Encoding → Internal Representation → Retrieval
• Retrieval cues: relate things with existing rituals/memories, especially imagery

Reconstructive Memory

• Putting together information and assumptions to reconstruct the event
• Barlett: Episodic memory itself is reconstructive (activation-synthesis hypothesis?)
  • we only recorded part of the information from an event.
  • Our brain combines these info with assumptions about the world to replay the event.
  • Problem is, human brain is bad at distinguishing information and assumptions. Memory can be dangerous.
  • Loftus experiment: higher speed is estimated when more dramatic words are used.
  • Leading questions: The word we used in interrogating changes people’s memory

Deja Vu

• Memory = Any previous experience that influences present behavior
• “Perceptual fluency”
• “Butcher in the bus”, we see things/people in a new context
• Deja vu = Familiarity without recollection, fluency of processing that cannot be contributed to anything
• Perception without awareness, e.g. a quick glance, makes you fluent
• Theory of Mind, mental models have been formed, which leads to fluency

Familiarity

• Mere-Exposure has strong influence
• The Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP) Paradigm
• People show tendency to like the word (or consider it brighter, or dimmer) they were exposed to. The question itself doesn’t matter
• Familiar message (talking points) feels like the correct answer

Amnesia

• Retrograde: Caused by concussion, temporary amnesia, relatively quickly returning normal but some memory right before the accident might be missing.
• Anterograde: Can’t form new memory. Caused by hippocampus damage. Things can’t be remembered after the damage of hippocampi. Can only remember things when kept in working memory.

• Memory is what keeps our continuum of existence. “Forever Today”

What is Not Forgotten

• Amnesia = loss of episodic memory, other kinds of memory are not lost, and they can still learn
• Claparede: A pin in the handshake can be learned. Patients refuse to shake hand, “Sometimes people hide things in their hand”

• Amnesic person can still learn to do the mirrored drawing!
• Long-Term Memory
  • “I know that” - Declarative
  • “I know how” - Procedural, which is really strong
  • “I remember when” - Episodic

Synesthesia

• Numbers or words related to taste/color/sounds.
• These people tend to have outstanding memory for details as well.
• Dual-coding for memorizing things.
• Outstanding memory may adversely impact social skills.