Memory

Memory

Types of Memory

Memory

The process by which we recollect prior experiences, information, and skills learned in the past.

Three Types of Memory

• Episodic Memory - our prior memory

• Generic Memory - information we hold in the brain. Another name for generic is semantic. We will be using both terms throughout this unit.

• Procedural Memory - our skills we have learned

Episodic Memory

• The event took place in the person's presence, or the person experienced the event. Or the test you took a few weeks ago.

• Some episodic memories are so detailed that it’s like we have photographs in our head of the event. These are called “flashbulb memories,” a clear memory of an emotionally significant event

   “someone special” – remember in detail what they wore, or the conversation, or the environment you were in when you met.

Episodic Memory - How it impacts us...

• 1. We pay more attention to events that have special meaning for us.  Such events usually arouse powerful feelings.

• Also, we tend to think about flashbulb memories often, especially if they are positive ones- first love, the birth of a child, or a special accomplishment.

   Another example is September 11th or the space shuttle challenger exploding.

Episodic Memory Experiment

Ask your parents what their day was like on January 6th, 2005. When they say I have no idea, ask them what their day was like on September 11, 2001.

Semantic Memory

• Unlike with episodic memory, we usually do not remember when we acquired the information in our generic memory.

Procedural Memory

• driving a car, riding a bike or swimming, typing. Once such a skill has been learned, it usually stays with you for many years. Even if you do not use the skill for a long time, you are unlikely to forget it.  

Multiple Select

Seven-year-old Ben is riding his bike to the park to meet some friends. He stops at a stop sign and signals his intention to turn left into the park. Ben’s memory of the laws of the road is an example of ___ memory.

• semantic/generic

• procedural

• episodic

• flashbulb

Multiple Select

Seven-year-old Ben’s ability to ride the bike shows ___memory.

• semantic/generic

• episodic

• procedural

• flashbulb

Multiple Choice

Remembering what the word summer means requires __ memory.

• semantic/generic

• episodic

• procedural

Multiple Choice

Remembering what you did on July 4th, 2017, requires __ memory.

• Episodic Memory

• Generic/Semantic Memory

• Procedural Memory

Multiple Select

Calvin can remember quite vividly the first time his dad took him out to learn how to ride a bike, because he didn’t use training wheels and took a nasty spill, scraping his knee badly. This would best be described as a(n) ___ memory.

• Semantic/generic

• Procedural

• Episodic

• Flashbulb

Multiple Select

Christian memorized a list of state capitals for his geography exam. Once he had done so they became ___memories.

• semantic/generic

• episodic

• flashbulb

• procedural

Multiple Choice

Flashbulb memories are clear memories of an emotionally significant event.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

We tend to think about flashbulb memories often, repeating them in our minds over and over again, solidifying the memory. (especially if they are positive ones- first love, the birth of a child, or a special accomplishment)

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Reading a book is an example of procedural memory.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Knowing the grass is green is an example of semantic memory

• True

• False