Measuring Memory
Lesson 2 - Basic Psychology
Introduction
Hermann Ebbinghaus was the first person
who studied forgetting scientifically.
This lesson explains how memory can be
measured (recall, recognition, relearning),
what causes forgetting, and how to improve
memory.
Measuring Memory
Memory can be measured using three
techniques:
1. Recognition
2. Recall
3. Relearning
Recall
Recall is measuring memory retention by
reproducing learned information.
Two types:
Free recall : Learned info is reproduced
without following any order
Eg:2×9=18 ...you doesn't recall the whole table
from starting.
Serial recall: Learned info is reproduced in
the same order that u learned
Eg:Remembering the phone number
Recognition
Recognition tests memory by identifying
learned information when shown options.
Example: multiple choice questions.
Relearning
Relearning measures how quickly information
can be learned again after forgetting.
Eg:
We may not recall the poem thatnwe learned in
7th class.But we can learn it again in a short
time and can understamd better thanit takes for
the first time.
EXCEPTIONAL MEMORY
1.Flashbulb memories:
When we recall a particular memory,the scene appears as a photo taken
in a modern camera before us.
2.Autobiographical memory:
Personal memories after the age 30 are stored as autobiographical
memory.
3.Implicit memory:
Memory remains outside the consious awarness but can be retrieved
automatically when necessar .Eg:While typing,ur finger automatically
comes to the particular letter that u need to type.
4.Hyperthymesia:
Allows individuals to recall an exceptionally large number of personal
life experiences with vivid, detailed precision, including associating
events with specific dates.
5.Eidetic memory:
Eidetic memory is a rare, fleeting form of short-term recall in which an
individual can "see or hear " a visual image in great detail for a brief
period after seeing it only once, though this mental picture fades quickly
6.Savants:
Savant syndrome is a phenomenon where someone demonstrates
exceptional aptitude in one domain, such as art or mathematics.
Forgetting
Forgetting occurs due to factors like:
- Ineffective encoding
- Decay
- Interference
- Retrieval failure
- Trauma
- Motivated forgetting
INEFFECTIVE
ENCODING
- Information was never properly encoded
into long-term memory.
- Often occurs due to lack of attention or
shallow processing.
Eg:Reading book while watching tv
DECAY
- Memory traces fade over time when
not used.
- The longer the interval since learning,
the more is forgotten.
INTERFERENCE
Other information disrupts recall of target
information.
Two types:
Proactive interference: old info make forget
the new info.
Retroactive interference: new info makes
forget the old info.
RETRIEVAL
FAILURE
- Memory is stored but cannot be accessed
temporarily.
- Often caused by incorrect clues
Eg:U may hot remember ur 5th class teacher
name but when u visit ur classroom ,u may
suddenly remember her name.
TRAUMA
Brain injury or psychological trauma can
impair memory.
Can cause partial or complete amnesia.
Types of trauma-related memory issues:
• Anterograde amnesia – Not able to
remember info that happened after trauma
• Retrograde amnesia – loss of memories
from before the trauma.
MOTIVATED FORGETTING
- Unpleasant or painful memories are
consciously or unconsciously blocked.
- Also called repression (as suggested by
Freud).
Improving Memory
Ways to improve memory:
- Rehearsal & overlearning
- Reducing interference
- Proper sleep & rest
- Using mnemonic techniques (acronyms,
rhymes, stories, chunking, loci method)
ACRONYM :
To remember grp of words ,1st letter of each words
are taken and made into a word.Eg:VIBGYOR
ACROSTICS:
1st letter of each words are taken and make into
a sentence
RHYMESIS : Info is remembered using rhymes
LINK METHOD:
List of items are remembered by linking with easy things
Eg:One wants to buy a new shirt,kitchen appliance and a vegetable.So he
imagines himself wearing that shirt ,cooking with the vegetables using the
appliances.
METHOD OF LOCI:
Creates mental picture of each piece of info that needs to be
remembered .
Eg :If u want to remember brocolli,relate it with doorknob and
remember
Summary
Memory can be measured using recall,
recognition, and relearning.
Forgetting occurs due to many factors but can
be reduced.
Memory can be improved using strategies
and mnemonics.
