MEMORY STRATEGIES

MEMORY STRATEGIES

1. Memory Concepts

   • Memory accuracy decreases due to divided attention and limited working memory
   • 3 General Memory Improvement Strategies: 1) Total-time hypothesis (how much you learn depends on total amount of time devoted), 2) Distributed-practice effect (remember more if spread out over time), 3) Testing effect (testing material)

2. Practice & Mnemonics

   • Imagery: 1) visualising items in vivid interaction, 2) keyword method (create an image that links the keyword wight he eating of the new word)
   • Organisation: 1) chunking, 2) hierarchy technique, 3) first-letter technique, 4) narrative technique
   • Prospective Memory: remember to do something in the future
     • Prospective and Retrospective have different focuses but share important similarities
     • Make more errors on prospective memory tasks when 1) in divided attention situation, 2) when needing to disrupt a habitual activity to perform, 3) when preoccupied or 4) under stress
     • More accurate if using the same memory strategies used in retrospective memory tasks and if using external memory aids

3. Metacognition

   • Metacognition: knowledge and control of your cognitive processes
     • 3 Components: 1) Metamemory, 2) Tip of the Tongue Phenomenon , 3) Metacomprehension
       • Metamemory
         • More accurate when judging individual items, when judgement is delayed and when judging multi-choice vs essays
           • When the task is easy, people spend more time studying difficult material (than easy). When the task is difficult and time is limited, people study the material they are most likely to master
       • Tip of the Tongue
         • When people cannot remember the word they are searching for, they can remember attributes such as the sound
           • "feeling of knowing" is when you think you could select the correct answer from choices even though it's not actually on the 'tip'
       • Metacomprehension
         • Generally overconfident in judging whether we understand the material we have read
           • Can be improved if you wait a few minutes then try to summarise the material