WHAT IS MEMORY? In Psychology, memory is the process in which information is encoded, stored, and retrieved. Memory is complex because we have lots of information coming from our senses all of the time and the brain has to decide what is important and worth remembering and that which isn t.
MEMORY Write a list of any information that we store in our memories.it can be anything at all.
NEXT. Decide whether you think each example is a short term memory or a long term memory. Short term memory consist of things which are likely to be forgotten unless rehearsed. Long term memories are anything that can be retrieved at any time. Its always in you memory.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES To understand the concept of capacity and duration. Identify the capacity and duration of the short-term memory.
WHAT WOULD LIFE BE LIKE WITH ONLY SHORT TERM MEMORY? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmzu47i2xgw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v= WmzU47i2xgw
SHORT-TERM MEMORY Capacity Duration The amount of information that can be stored How much? The length of time the information can be stored How long? Encoding The way in which the information is stored. E.g. as images or sounds
Instructions 1.Digits will appear in the centre of the screen. 2.Write down the digits on your whiteboard in the same order as they are presented when I tell you. 3.Do not discuss or look at anyone else s answers 4.The first list will be four digits long 5.One digit will be added to each list 6.The last list will contain ten digits 7.It is a good idea to mentally repeat the numbers as they are presented to be able to successfully recall them 8.When we go through each list tick each one you get correct
Summarising data We will record how many people correctly recalled each list Use the table to produce a bar chart of the results Give the chart a title and label the axes of the chart Length of list 4 8130 5 25368 Correct answer 6 379256 7 0718453 8 12753634 9 108323754 10 4697346127 Frequency This can be done on your whiteboard
DURATION OF SHORT TERM MEMORY
Prediction: How long do you think your short term memory can retain new information without repeating it?
Are you ready to take part in a memory study? 1. I will present a set of three letters (eg CVR) 2. You must try to remember them 3. After the letters are presented you must count backwards in 3s until I say to write the three letters down 4. You will be told to write down the three letters after delays of 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 seconds 5. It is vital that you do not look at another participant s answer 6. As we check each answer tick each one you get correct Shall we do a quick pilot study?
Summarising data We will record how many people correctly recalled each trigram
Duration of delay in seconds 3 GRV Correct trigram Frequency 6 KNS 9 HJK 12 LWY 15 JTL 18 QWP
Why do you think I asked you to count backwards in threes after the letters were presented? What can we conclude about the duration of short term memory?
FACTORS EFFECTING DURATION OF STM Maintenance rehearsal The items disappear from the STM only when the rehearsal opportunity is removed. Without rehearsal the STM is very brief Deliberate intention recall Information can vanish from STM if there is no conscious effort to maintain it. Amount of information to be retained If the three letters can be chunked. E.g. ABC memory is much improved.
BIOPSYCHOLOGY On paper 2 in year 12 we will also cover a topic called biopsychology. What sort of things do you think this might include? Specification details The divisions of the nervous system: central and peripheral (somatic and autonomic). The function of the endocrine system: glands and hormones. The fight or flight response including the role of adrenaline.
Human nervous system Peripheral nervous system (PNS) Central nervous system (CNS) Autonomic nervous system Somatic nervous system Brain Spinal cord Sympathetic nervous system Parasympathetic nervous system The major sub-divisions of the human nervous system
On your white board match up the definition to the key term. E.g A,7 Use the information on the A3 sheet to help you.
THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM (ANS) This governs vital functions in the body such as breathing, heart rate, digestion, sexual arousal and stress responses (involuntary actions)
THE TWO MAIN DIVISIONS OF THE ANS The two main divisions of the autonomic nervous system are: The sympathetic nervous system The parasympathetic nervous system Their actions are mostly antagonistic - that is they usefully work in opposition to each other
THE SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM Involved with helping us deal with emergencies. (increasing heart rate) Neurons from the SNS travel to nearly every organ and gland, preparing the body for rapid action when under threat.
THE PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM If the SNS pushes us into action when faced with an emergency, the PNS relaxes us once the threat has passes. PNS slows the heartbeat down and reduces blood pressure. PNS causes digestion to begin again. Can be referred to as the rest and digest system.
THE OPPOSING ACTIONS OF THE SYMPATHETIC AND THE PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM Organ Sympathetic nervous system Parasympathetic nervous system Gut Slows digestion Increases digestion Salivary glands Inhibits saliva production Increases saliva production Heart Increases heart rate Decreases heart rate Liver Stimulates glucose production Stimulates bile production Bladder Stimulates urination (relaxes the bladder) Inhibits urination (contracting bladder) Eye Dilates pupils Constricts pupils Lungs Dilates bronchi Constricts bronchi
FIGHT OR FLIGHT? These changes enable the body to take action and protect itself in dangerous situations, either by running away or fighting hence, the fight or flight response.
IMAGINE You are walking down a dark street at night by yourself. Suddenly you hear what you suspect are footsteps approaching you rapidly. What happens? Your sympathetic nervous system kicks in and in an instant, your body prepares itself for either defence or escape.
WHEN THE THREAT HAS PASSED Now imagine that the footsteps belong to a good friend who catches up to you and offers to walk you home. You feel relief instantly, but your body takes longer to adjust. In order to return everything to normal, the parasympathetic nervous system kicks in. This system is slow acting, unlike its counterpart, and may take several minutes or even longer to get your body back to where it was before the scare.