Memory and Causes of forgetting

Memory It refers to the process

of remembering and association

ex. cool we associate with a pleasant feeling and distinguish it from hot.

Definitions

Drever- “Memory is that characteristic which underlines all learning, the essential feature of which is reflection. In narrow sense it is recall and recognition.”

Woodworth and Marquis- “Memory is mental power which consists in learning, retaining and remembering what has previously been learnt.”

Ryburn- “The power that we have to store our experiences, and to bring them into the field of consciousness sometime after the experiences have occurred, is termed as memory.”

How do we remember?Atkinson and Schifrin developed a

theory of storage and transfer model Storage and transfer Model

LONG TERM STORE(LTS)Permanent memory store

IconicEnvironmenta

l input

SENSORY STORES

Echoic

Heptic

CNTROL PROCESSRehearsalCodingRetrieval strategiesResponse Output

SHORT TERM STORE (STS)

Response output

Components of MemoryMemory involves four basic components or

factors a)learning b) retentionc) recall or retrieval c) recognition

Learning It is the process of registering

impressions or acquiring new knowledge, skills, attitudes, and so on.

Meaningful learning: paying attention to the meaning of

whole material the relationship among the different

parts. relate the meaning and significance of

the material with other things that previously learnt.

Spaced and unspaced learning: Time separates each trial in learning, it is called spaced learning. When trials are given without space or any break this method is called unspaced practice.

Whole Vs Part Method of learning: Parts make a good sense in a whole than when isolated

Past Progressive Method: In this method different parts are divided into different parts. First part is learnt then second and then first and second together and then first, second and parts together and so on.

Mixed or Mediating Method: the subject masters the difficulty first and then starts learning material from the beginning through the whole method till the second difficulty is reached.

Repetition and recitation: Retention is more when it is repeated.

Verbalisation : In a complex motor task learning is facilitated by verbalisation

Retention

After the active learning process the retention will take place which is comparatively passive. This is ability to keep things in mind and remember.

Recall

This is the act of remembering something. Recall is greatly affected by emotions and motivation both at the time of learning and subsequently

Recognition Recognition is awareness of

previous experience, It is complete familiarity without any mistake.

Types of Memory Short term Memory: It is a working

memory no more than few seconds long. Long term Memory: It represents our

knowledge about the working of the world. The memory of words, symbol, corporate trademarks are unforgettable though not used for years but not fade away.

Habit Memory or implicit Memory: Habit memory is the function of the body and is related with motor mechanism.Ex. Riding bicycle.

Remote Memory: It is life time accumulation of data about a wide variety of topics. It seems to diminish with age.

Rote Memory: Result of rote learning by children they remember without understanding.

Episodic Memory: This is the memory of specific personal experiences.

Sensory Memory: Sensory impressions retain that knowledge.

i. Auditory Memory - Memory of auditory impressions.

ii. Visual memory –Memory of visual impressions.

iii. Tactual Memory –Memory of touch is rich in blind.

iv. Olfactory Memory-Memory of smellv. Gustatory Memory- Memory of

taste

Measurement of retention Memory

1. Recall2. Relearning3. Recognition4. Reproduction

Memory Improvement techniques

1. Will to learn2. Interest and Attention3. Over learning4. Meaningfulness5. Following the Principle of

association6. Grouping and rhythm

7. Using as many sense as possible8. Learner’s internal9. Provisions for change and Proper rest10. Repetition and recitation11. Making use of SQ4R Techniques: Thomas Robinson developed this strategy for effective learning and memorization. Survey

Question Read Reflect Recite and Recall.12. Making use of mnemonics:

This system makes use of the use of visual imagery to provide useful association and connections for remembering the required materials. Ex. Peg word method

ForgettingIt is opposite of rememberingMunn- “Forgetting is the loss , permanent or

temporary, of the ability to recall or recognize something learned earlier.”

Drever- “ Forgetting means failure at any time to recall an experiences, when attempting to do so, or to perform an action previously learned.”

This is inability to recall the previously learnt material.

Causes of Forgetting

There are two kinds of forgetting1.Normal Forgetting2.Abnormal ForgettingCauses of Normal Forgetting

a) Entropy through disuse: Older experience the weaker its memory.

b) Interference: Forgetting by interference is a case of retention amnesia, here stability and existence of memory traces are disturbed Ex. Crowded learning, Unspaced learning.

c) Retroactive and Proactive inhibition: Inhibition means checking of causing to withhold. It has been found that if one period of learning is ‘A’ is immediately followed by the another effort of learning ‘B’ which is similar material when any one of them has to be recalled.

d) If the learning is not meaningful forgetting occurs as it does not give scope for the development of relationship.

e) Inadequate impressions at the time of learning leads to forgetting.

f) Lack of interest in the learning material leads to forgetting.

f) Mental or physical ill health sets in physical and mental fatigue and affects learning.

g) Motivated forgetting: Unpleasant events are to be forgotten soon to participate in the present.

Abnormal Forgetting This happens because of some

unusual conditions when recall is completely blocked.

It may result due to severe injury. Repression of experiences having

guilt shame or frustration.

Educational Implications

Awareness of the different memory levels of children.

Knowing and understanding the student and helping him to overcome the traumatic experiences and unwanted feelings.

Use the memory enhancing techniques and adjustment of curriculum

Creation of conducive environment for learning

Methodology of teaching should incorporate the theories of memory and forgetting.

Thank you