8.3 Problems with Memory - Psychology 2e

Learning Objectives

• Compare and contrast the two types of amnesia
• Discuss the unreliability of eyewitness testimony
• Discuss encoding failure
• Discuss various memory errors
• Compare and contrast the two types of interference

Amnesia

• Definition: Loss of long-term memory due to disease, physical, or psychological trauma.

Anterograde Amnesia

• Caused by brain trauma.
• Inability to remember new information (post-injury), but can remember events before injury.
• Affected area: Hippocampus.
• Example: H.M. who couldn't remember new people or events but could improve at puzzles (procedural memory).

Retrograde Amnesia

• Loss of memory for events before trauma.
• Difficulty remembering past episodic memories.
• Example: Scott Bolzan lost memory of 46 years after a head injury.

Memory Construction and Reconstruction

• Construction: Formulation of new memories.
• Reconstruction: Retrieval of old memories, often altered or modified over time.

Suggestibility

• Definition: Misinformation from external sources leading to false memories.
• Example: DC sniper case where focus on a white van misled investigators.

Eyewitness Misidentification

• Leading cause of wrongful convictions as identified by the Innocence Project.
• Example: Jennifer Thompson's misidentification of Ronald Cotton.

Preserving Eyewitness Memory

• Example: Elizabeth Smart Case - Handling of witness Mary Katherine to preserve the accuracy of memory.

The Misinformation Effect

• Studied by Elizabeth Loftus.
• Memory flexibility influenced by external misinformation.
• Example: Car crash study where wording affected speed estimation and memory of an event.

Controversies over Repressed and Recovered Memories

• Debate over the accuracy of recovered memories, especially regarding childhood trauma.
• Research suggests memory recovery can be influenced by suggestive questioning techniques.

Forgetting

Encoding Failure

• Information not stored in memory due to lack of attention or effort.
• Example: Inability to recall details of a penny.

Memory Errors

Schacter's Seven Sins of Memory

• Transience: Memory fades over time.
• Absentmindedness: Lapses in attention cause forgetting.
• Blocking: Temporary inability to access stored information.
• Misattribution: Confusing the source of information.
• Suggestibility: False memories from external influence.
• Bias: Distorted memories influenced by beliefs.
• Persistence: Unwanted memories that intrude into consciousness.

Interference

• Proactive Interference: Old information hinders recall of new information.
• Retroactive Interference: New information hinders recall of old information.

These notes summarize the core concepts and examples of memory issues discussed in the provided transcript.