Numerous studies have shown the human mind has a heightened ability to encode information relevant to our survival. During the standard paradigm used for proving a basis for survival processing, participants were instructed to imagine themselves in an unknown grassland without access to basic needs (Kostic, McFarlan, & Cleary, 2012). The subjects were then asked to rate a list of items based on how useful they would be given the survival scenario (Kostic et al., 2012). Following a short delay, the participants were then asked to recall or recognize items, which had previously been presented (Kostic et al., 2012). Based on the findings researchers were able to conclude words pertaining to our survival are better retained then words that are not, even when the survival scenario was changed to various situations such as a bank robbery (Kang, McDermott & Cohen, 2008), a vacation scene (Nairne, & Pandeirada, 2008), or survival in a large city setting (Nairne & Pandeirada, 2010). Although recent research has been able to clearly define what survival processing is there are more aspects, which have been explored and investigated which will be discussed within the confines of this paper. The two main areas that will be focused on are the mechanisms responsible for this phenomenon and some of its limitations; a conclusion will then be drawn on future directions of study within this topic.
It could be assumed face perception would fit the criteria of important survival information and thus the advantages of survival processing would also be in effect. Yet a study conducted by Savine, Scullin and Roediger (2011) looked at survival processing in relation to faces to test if this was a limitation of this type of processing. Researchers cond...
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The second stage of memory processing is storage. Aronson et al. (2013) defines storage as the process by which people store the information they just acquired. Unfortunately, memories are affected by incoming information through alteration or reconstruction. This phenomenon is referred to as recon...
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...Baddeley (1966) study of encoding in the short term memory and long term memory supports the MSM model on the mode of processing such that words are processed on recall and both models share the same opinion that processing does influence recall. Finally, the MSM model of memory states that all information is stored in the long term memory, however, this interpretation contrasts with that of Baddeley (1974) who argue that we store different types of memories and it is unlikely that they occur only in the LTM store. Additionally, other theories have recognised different types of memories that we experience, therefore it is debatable that all these different memories occur only in the long-term memory as presumed by the multi-store model which states the long term memory store as with unlimited capacity, in addition it also fails to explain how we recall information.
Making and storing memories is a complex process involving many regions of the brain. (3). Most experts agree that we have two stages of memories - short-term memory and long-term memory. Short-term memory is the immediate memory we have when we first hear or perceive someth...
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According to Sternberg (1999), memory is the extraction of past experiences for information to be used in the present. The retrieval of memory is essential in every aspect of daily life, whether it is for academics, work or social purposes. However, many often take memory for granted and assume that it can be relied on because of how realistic it appears in the mind. This form of memory is also known as flashbulb memory. (Brown and Kulik, 1977). The question of whether our memory is reliably accurate has been shown to have implications in providing precise details of past events. (The British Psychological Association, 2011). In this essay, I would put forth arguments that human memory, in fact, is not completely reliable in providing accurate depictions of our past experiences. Evidence can be seen in the following two studies that support these arguments by examining episodic memory in humans. The first study is by Loftus and Pickrell (1995) who found that memory can be modified by suggestions. The second study is by Naveh-Benjamin and Craik (1995) who found that there is a predisposition for memory to decline with increasing age.
The documentary is an excellent source of information for novices on the topic of brain science. The complexity of the brain is addressed while still allowing the viewer to learn the basic workings of the brain. A wide range of viewer’s interests are included, so most people will find something of interest within the film. Research experiments are important sources of evidence in the documentary and several are used to support the claims of the documentary. The main weak point was the failure to address the importance of the fear response after idolizing the lack of it in Navy Seal
Highlighting this concept is the case of Susie Mckinnon, who lacks episodic memory. Though she lacks episodic memory, she does have intact semantic memory, which is another form of explicit long term memory. The WIRED article by Erika Hayasaki, reflects Mckinnon’s unique perspective and how she was able to become aware of her deficiency, as she was not uniquely aware something was wrong with her until high school and further research. By analyzing Mckinnon’s case in respect to the findings of Allen and Fortin, this allows one to understand why episodic memory is evolutionarily important for functionality and interactions in daily life.
Learning and memory are fascinating. The world could not function without either. They both are used in many different fashions in a wide variety of places. Learning and Memory have been carefully studied by professionals but are also well known and used by the common people on a daily basis. I am one of those common people, a student who is constantly learning and making the most of my memory. Since enrolling in The Psychology of Learning and Memory class I have come to the realization that I encounter situations in my life that exemplify the very concepts I have studied. I have also learned that it is beneficial to apply the lessons learned in class to my everyday life. Positive reinforcement, learned helplessness and serial recall are a few among many of the learning and memory models that have come to action in my life and in my final reflections surrounding the course.
We are never truly prepared for a catastrophic event but we spend plenty of time worrying about what we are going to do in one situation or another. We as human beings, much like animals, are hard-wired with survival skills; though sometimes our brains don’t always choose the right response. There are different tendencies the human brain leans toward in a life-threatening event or situation. Situational awareness and normalcy bias are two main tendencies that are displayed in disasters or extreme stress situations. These responses are not only achieved by experiencing a traumatic event but also by high risk activities such as sky diving and skiing. In the following paragraphs I will discuss how the brain responds to catastrophes and risky situations and how it can be a matter of survival and death.