Fall 1999

Tuesdays 3:00pm-5:30pm, Room 102

Kevin G. F. Thomas

Office: Room 121

Phone: 520-626-4825 (Tucson campus); 458-8278x134 (Sierra Vista campus)

E-mail: thomaske@u.arizona.edu

Office hours: T 2-3pm and 5:30-6:30pm, W 5-6pm, and by appointment

Course Description

This is an undergraduate psychology survey course. The purpose of this course is to present an introduction to the study of human memory. We will consider theoretical approaches to memory, biological bases of memory, the effects of stress, the environment, and social interaction on memory, changes in memory across the lifespan, memory disorders, and extraordinary feats of memory. The readings and the course are designed for those gaining their first exposure to the material and concepts presented.

Required Texts

Searleman, A., & Herrmann, D. (1994). Memory from a broader perspective. Boston: McGraw-Hill.

Schacter, D. L. (1996). Searching for memory: The brain, the mind, and the past. New York: Basic Books.

Recommended Text

Schacter, D. L., & Tulving, E. (Eds.) (1994). Memory systems 1994. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

Lectures and Class Attendance

Class attendance is expected (and highly desirable) but not required. Prepare for class by reading the assigned textbook chapters and/or articles in advance. Lecture material will include but will not be restricted to the assigned readings. At the conclusion of each lecture, a summary of the major points will be made available. Use that summary to guide revision and to study for exams.

Assignments, Exams and Extra Credit Options

Each week at the beginning of class you will be asked to answer, without the aid of notes or your textbook, three questions on the assigned readings. Your answers to those questions need only be a paragraph or two in length.

Three exams will be administered during the semester. Each exam will cover the material from 4-5 lectures and the corresponding reading assignments. Each exam will consist of multiple choice and short-answer questions.

If you cannot take an exam at the appointed time, you must submit a written request for an alternative testing date. The alternative testing date will be before the date of the next scheduled exam. There is no guarantee that requests for alternative testing dates will be accepted.

You will have the option of undertaking an extra credit assignment. That assignment may take the form of either (a) participation in a psychological research experiment, or (b) a 7-10 page paper dealing with some aspect of the course. If you would like to complete an extra credit assignment, please notify me, either in person or via e-mail, before November 23.

Grading

Weekly quizzes 15%

Three exams 25%; 25%; 35%

Please note there is no curve in this class. I encourage you to study together and to help each other in understanding the course materials.

Please also note that I reserve the right to make changes to the course outline that follows. Changes will be announced in class at least one lecture before they are due to take effect. Each student is responsible for being aware of any such changes.

Course Outline

August 24 Course introduction and syllabus review

August 31 Historical background to memory theory and research

• Searleman & Herrmann, Chapter 1

September 7 Methods used in memory research

September 14 Multiple memory systems

Sensory memory

Short-term memory

September 21 Long-term memory

Evaluation of the STM-LTM distinction

Alternative models of memory

September 28 Exam #1

October 5 Encoding

October 12 Retrieval and forgetting

October 19 Schemas

October 26 Biological bases of memory

November 2 Effects of arousal, stress, and emotion

November 9 Exam #2

November 16 Environmental and social influences

November 23 Autobiographical memory

November 30 Memory in older adults

December 7 Memory disorders

December 14 Exam #3