Unit 7 Test Memory

Hope everyone has a great weekend and will take some time to study and prepare for the unit test on Monday!!! Remember to put into use all the concepts about memory we have been learning in this unit. Especially the spacing effect for encoding of information. It will make studying a lot easier if you space out your studying of the information. You don't have to put in any more time just break it up over the weekend. Also keep in mind the use of elaborative memory tricks such as mnemonics and and acronyms. Good luck : ).

Here are the notes for this unit if you missed any thing.

Intro to Memory
Encoding
Storage
Retrieval

P.S. Once you think you know it all, study it again.

Super Memory

Today we began looking at memory storage. This was highlighted by some significant case studies of extraordinary memories. However, some of those cases of extreme memory abilities came with sever disadvantages. Such is the case with Stephen Wiltshire an autistic savant who has an unbelievable photographic memory. I have attached a link to the YouTube video if you happened to miss this. As you watch the video consider whether you believe its possible that his extraordinary memory is at all associated or a product of his autism. are

You can also find a link to his amazing gallery in London. Many of the originals (if you can afford it!) are available for purchase as well as the more affordable prints and other gifts. 

Stephen Wiltshire

In addition to Stephen we also watch brief interview with Mary Lou Henner. In the interview she discussed her unique super autobiographical memory (only one of 12 people in the world identified with this condition). This condition is now referred to as hyperthymesia. The video segment highlighted Mary Lou's ability to recall just about any event from her life, from the exciting details of a first date to the mundane facts about the weather and what she was wearing. If you would like to see a more in depth depiction of super autobiographical memory I have posted the entire 60 minutes episode. Here they put 6 individuals, identified with a similar memory to Mary Lou, to the test.

Endless Memory Part 1:

Endless Memory Part 2:

If you'd like to read Mary Lou's book on how the average person can improve their own memory click on the link: "Total Memory Makeover: Uncover Your Past, Take Charge of Your Future."

Flashbulb Memory

Today in class we introduced the concept of flashbulb memories. Many of you shared strong emotional memories from your past that you were vividly able to recall. BUT... how accurate were they. Are you sure all the details are just as you remember. When ask to recall how the events of 9/11 unfolded for then President George Bush on 3 separate occasions he reported slightly different stories. Two of them seemed to be completely inaccurate. This led to conspiracy theories about the President's knowledge of the event and complicit in the attack. If you were a good psychologist you might not have jumped to such conclusions and understood the frailty of the human memory. Read the article as it contains the accounts of President Bush's three independent recollection of the morning on 9/11 and a complete discussion on how we do poorly on recalling specific details of our memories.

Procrastination

Since most of you identified with procrastination from the blog post on metacognition I thought I would share this video with you. This video very wittingly explains why it is that we procrastinate and what to do about it. Try out some of the suggestions and see if it helps you get things done that you always seem to put off until the last minute.