Memory

by Chris Moulin; Martin Conway

• ISBN13: 9781405129411
• ISBN10: 1405129417
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-06-01
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

Memory is the most researched, and taught, area in cognitive psychology. In recent years the study of memory has broadened. Advances in neuro-imaging technology and the availability of such tools to researchers has lead to a new understanding of memory function, with new models derived solely from imaging methods. The application of memory theory to new areas such as social cognition and theories of the self mean that the appeal of memory research has never been greater. This book is designed as a core text, which will introduce students to these newer aspects of memory research, making it unique. In addition, contemporary (and often more American) research themes which are somewhat under-represented in other European texts, such as False Memory and Eyewitness Memory will be covered in detail here. Such topics are consistently popular with undergraduates, and thus appear on many courses, but appear unsupported by most texts.The original plan was for the book to consist of 10 core chapters suitable for teaching memory from a more traditional viewpoint, to be followed by 10 chapters that reflect current hot topics in memory. As a response to reviewers' comments, these "hot topics" will now be incorporated into the main text as illustrations and examples.A major feature of the book is the clear neuropsychological focus. Each chapter will begin with an illustrative case or disorder, which places the study of memory firmly in the real world, with a concrete example of the importance of memory function in everyday life. These cases and disorders themselves will illustrate how cognitive psychology now gathers converging evidence from brain degeneration (e.g. Alzheimer's disease and Semantic Dementia), genetic abnormalities (Williams syndrome, Downs syndrome), neuroimaging (e.g. PET activation in Aging) as well as the more traditional lesion studies. It is the authors' experience that teaching using such illustrative cases is both thought provoking and supportive.The authors feel that most of the competition is unnecessarily long, and that they can keep to a shorter extent than the competition, whilst not compromising coverage. However, it is likely that the extent may increase by 30,000 words. It's notable that none of the reviewers highlighted a discrepancy between proposed length and comprehensiveness of coverage.NB more research needs to be done on pricing policy in the US - I'd welcome the thoughts of the meeting.

Table of Contents

Whatis memory? (CM & MC)

Why do we need memory?

What happens when memory fails?

Coherence versus correspondence

True & False memories

A description of a patient with chronic déjà vu as a description of the study of memory in practice and its impact on life

This chapter begins with a description of case AKP, a patient who had a persistent sense of déjà vu, and as a result did not engage in daily activities

Most pursuits no longer gave pleasure, since AKP was convinced he had watched the programme before, or read the article earlier

From the outset then, this chapter introduces the idea that memory (and memory dysfunction) is as much about remembering as forgetting.

Models of Memory (MC)

An introduction to cognition

Memory as a store

Memory as a process

Models of Memory - Atkinson & Shiffrin, Baddeley & Hitch, Levels of Processing, Implicit vs Explicit, Tulving

All of the above not in too great detail, but sufficient to explain the division/structure of the following chapters

Approaches to the study of memory (CM)

This is all about testing models and using converging sources of evidence and the methods at psychology's disposal.

Bartlett and Ebbinghaus in here

Converging evidence that scanning can provide - and criticising some imaging work (e.g. the neural basis of romantic love).

connectionism

Patient HM can be discussed here as a historical note about the combination of neuroscience and psychology.

Skill Learning (CM)

Classical Conditioning

Operant Conditioning

Criticisms of Stimulus-Response Behaviourismà

à and how it turned into Cognitive Psychology and the study of Memory

This chapter begins with a description of phobias and panic attacks

Bothphobias and panic attacks have been effectively (and routinely) treated with cognitive behavioural therapy, which stems from behaviourist principles

Inaddition, phobias can be described as a result of malignant associations captured in operant conditioning.

Short Term & Working Memory (CM)

Atkinson & Shiffrin - Sensory store & Primary Memory

Baddeley's Working Memory

Phonological Loop

Visuospatial sketchpad

Central Executive

Episodic Buffer

This chapter begins with a description of Williams syndrome and Downs syndrome, and how these two different chromosomal aberrations lead to two dissociable memory deficits

Williamschildren show intact verbal working memory, but impaired visuospatial abilities, whereas Downs syndrome children show the reverse pattern.

Episodic Memory (MC)

Experimental Approaches - Verbal Learning

Tulving's concept of noetic and autonoetic approaches

Student Learning and Episodic memory - remembering and knowing of psychological concepts.

This chapter begins with a description of Clive Waring, an amnesic with such a profound memory disorder that he cannot string two moments together

Thismeans that he describes his existence as 'like being dead all the bloody time.'

Semantic Memory (CM)

Memory for faces and names

Knowledge structures

Categorisation

Language and Semantic Memory

This chapter begins with a description of a person with Semantic Dementia

Itdescribes how this disease leads to the breakdown of knowledge of concepts and language, but how episodic memory is intact

Itfocuses on how these people can often use episodic memory to compensate for semantic memory - where the person does not recognise or identifies cups in general, but can only recognise and use their own particular cup, which they remember using last time

Autobiographical Memory (MC)

Flashbulb Memory

Autobiographical memory across the lifespan

Confabulation

In order to demonstrate the role of the self and self-awareness in autobiographical memory, this chapter starts with a description of a frontal lobe confabulator.

Implicit Memory (CM)

Declarative and non-declarative memory

Procedural Memory and skills

Priming

Implicit Learning

With a deliberate historical feel, this chapter describes Claparede's pioneering work with amnesics and pins

Claparedeis cited as one of the first cognitive neuropsychologists, implementing Ebbinghaus's savings method on his patients

Heis most famous for his work showing that amnesics who have been pricked by a concealed pin in a handshake the day before, are unlikely to shake your hand the next day, even though they can't recall whay.

The neuropsychology of memory (CM)

Anatomy - Hippocampus, Temporal Lobes and Frontal Lobes as memory areas

Memory at the neural level - circuits and long term potentiation

Activation: Hemispheric Encoding Retrieval Asymmetry - PET

Frontalretrieval and evaluation - fMRI. Spreading activation in autobiographical memory - EEG.

Neuroscience as converging evidence - what does neuroimaging tell us about aging?

This chapter starts with the a description of the famous London Cabs and Hippocampus size study, whereby route knowledge was found to correlate with both hippocampal size and activation

Section 2 - Contemporary Themes (approx 2,000 words),

Amnesia - CM

False Memory - MC

Eyewitness Testimony - CM

Inhibition of Memory - MC

Memory Awareness and Metacognition - CM

States of recollection and knowing - CM

Memory in old age and the dementias - CM

Memory and the self (including psychiatric disorders) - MC

Memory development in childhood - CM

Prospective Memory - CM

Assessing Memory - CM

Social aspects of memory (including social cognition & collective memory) - MC

How to improve your memory - CM

Language & Memory - CM

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