Reconstructive Memory Study Overview

Reconstructive Memory

• Reconstructive memory is the process of recalling information where memories are not perfect copies of the original event but are instead built and rebuilt each time they are retrieved.
• Errors can arise from source misattribution (confusing the source of information), confabulation (filling in gaps in memories), and imagination inflation (believing something you imagined occurred).
• Garven's study investigated whether leading questions could induce false allegations in young children.
• The study's sample consisted of children aged 3-6 attending different daycares.
• Children in one group faced leading questions, while another received non-leading interrogations.
• Key findings: 17% of children with leading questions gave false accounts of aggressive behavior, while 58% of the non-lead group conformed to others' stories.
• This demonstrates reconstructive memory as leading questions influenced the recall creating potentially inaccurate memories via confabulation. Similarly, non-leading interrogation techniques demonstrated influence by others' recollections leading potentially to memory inflation.

Flashbulb Memories (FBMs)

• Flashbulb memories are highly detailed and vivid memories of significant or surprising events.
• They are often considered to be 'photographic' representations of the past.
• Brown and Kulik's study examined if significant events are remembered in more detail than others.
• The study included white and black American males.
• Participants were asked about details of significant events (e.g., assassinations of JFK or MLK) and their experience.
• Findings: Black American males showed vivid memories relating to the assassination of Martin Luther King further indicating the personal consequentiality involved.
• Vivid memories of JFK's assassination and personal events (e.g., death of a close relative) were reported with a high level of detail. This was further supported by the high level of personal significance of the event for all participating males.

Case Studies in Memory Research

• Case studies can provide rich qualitative data and high ecological validity, but are limited by potential lack of objectivity.
• Milner and Scoville's study investigated the relationship between hippocampal damage and amnesia using H.M.
• H.M. suffered from severe epilepsy.
• A longitudinal study was done, examining his memory over time following surgery removing his medial temporal lobe and hippocampus.
• Subsequent recall tests revealed anterograde amnesia (difficulty forming new memories) but his short-term memory (STM) remained intact.
• Interviews and observation of H.M.'s daily functioning provided detailed qualitative information on the effects of amnesia, though the study lacked control over extraneous variables, an issue with ecological validity and case study methodology.
• Case study methods gave researchers useful information about memory.

Multi-Store Model of Memory

• The multi-store model proposes that memory involves separate stores: sensory memory, short-term memory (STM), and long-term memory (LTM).
• Sensory memory holds brief sensory impressions.
• STM holds information temporarily (less than 30 seconds) for further processing.
• LTM stores information for potentially unlimited periods.
• Glanzer and Cunitz's study investigated the serial position effect in recall.
• Participants heard a list of words and were then asked to recall them in order, or perform a filler task before recollection.
• Findings revealed primacy and recency effects. The primacy effect showcased that participants tended to remember the initial words better, and the recency effect showed the last words to be remembered better.
• This supports the multi-store model's separation of STM and LTM.

Working Memory Model

• The working memory model, describes STM as an active and dynamic system involving multiple components working concurrently.
• Central executive, phonological loop, visuo-spatial sketchpad, and episodic buffer.
• Baddeley and Hitch's study investigated the idea of multitasking.
• Participants performed dual tasks, including a verbal task and a digit span task.
• Results showed that participants could perform dual tasks, supporting the idea of distinct components within STM.
• The model also highlights potential interference and overload when multiple components are engaged simultaneously.