Implicit vs explicit memory

Implicit learning (Indirect test)

Typically 2 phases to this research: - Acquisition -> Participants exposed to strings is to examine how people learn artificial grammars - Testing -> knowledge of the grammar is assessed Learn strings of letters consistent with grammar Test knowledge of the grammar Acquisition --> Testing

Separate Implicit & Explicit memory stores

"there are 2 separate and independent implicit & explicit memory stores"

Indirect tests of implicit memory

- Implicit learning - Experimental dissociation

What are the measures of memory?

- Intentional learning - Direct tests - Incidental learning - Indirect tests

Theoretical accounts of implicit memory

- Unitary signal - Multiple accounts of implicit memory - Transfer appropriate processing

Transfer Appropriate Processing (Roediger et al, 1989)

1. Given type of processing will lead to better memory performance if appropriate for particular test 2. Direct and indirect memory tests require different retrieval operations 3. Indirect tests rely on perceptual processing 4. Direct tests rely on encoded meaning of concepts

What are the 5 memory systems that have been proposed?

1. Procedural memory 2. Declarative memory 3 remaining systems all involve conscious awareness and declarative memory. 3. Primary memory - working memory 4. Semantic memory - factual information 5. Episodic memory - recollection of personal involvement and enables individual to mentally travel back into your past

Theoretical Accounts of Implicit memory:

= Implicit memory store = Explicit memory store = Unitary memory store = Multiple memory systems approach = Unitary signal detection model = Transfer appropriate processing view

Artificial grammar

Artificial grammars are useful for studying implicit learning because: Complex enough that conscious strategies little use, yet sufficiently novel that experimenter knows participant has no pre-existing knowledge Stimuli synthetic (made up) and arbitrary

Priming

Difference between performance by experimental group and control group.

Multiple memory systems

Direct and indirect tests tap different underlying memory systems Perceptual representation system (Schacter et al, 2000) - non-declarative, domain-specific modules - responsible for many effects of indirect tests

Experimental dissociation (Indirect tests)

Experimental dissociations are a way of demonstrating evidence of implicit memory. Repetition priming - a measure commonly used in this sort of experiment. Idea that processing something a second-time benefits from its having been processed previously.

What are indirect tests?

Instructions refer only to task at hand and don't make reference to prior events measures implicit memory

What is incidental learning?

Instructions require participants to focus on some information-processing goal (e.g rate these pics for pleasantness) vs. remembering the information.

What is declarative memory?

Knowing 'that' rather than knowing 'how'. Perceptual representation system = important in identifying words and objects. Non-declarative as typically involved in non-conscious operations. 3 subsystems.

What is procedural memory?

Learning behavioural and cognitive skills. How to do something. You remember how to drive a car, but could you explain it explicitly to someone? - thought to be responsible for learning about patterns and regularities in environment that unfold over time. Reber argues that many attributions of cause and effect have their basis in implicit learning

Dissociation

Occurs when one variable (such as presentation modality, auditory or visual) affects one test of memory differently than another. Discovery of a dissociation argued to support idea that the two tests tap into two different memory systems.

What are direct tests?

Participant aware of particular learning episode to be recalled and test instructions make direct reference to learning episode measures explicit memory

What is intentional learning?

Participant aware there will be a memory test and tries to memorise the information

Transfer appropriate processing

it's not where you store it but what you do with it that counts

Multiple systems approach

there are several memory stores

Unitary system

there is only one memory store

Distinctions between encoding

• At encoding • At retrieval • At both encoding & retrieval

Unitary signal detection model (Berry et al, 2008)

• Dissociations do not imply independent systems • A computational model of single memory strength signal - promotes theoretical transparency - generates testable predictions - indicated alternative interpretations of dissociations • A single memory-strength - leads to priming and recognition - different tasks led to different sources of noise/error

What is Implicit memory?

• Memory without awareness • Not perception without awareness (subliminal perception) • Participants unaware that task related to study episode