Revising tips (memory theory) - Essay Example

? Revising tips (memory theory) Availability Heuristic theory We make a judgment on basis of what we are able to remember, rather than broad data. Specifically, we use this to judge likelihood or frequency of events. The fact that we remember recent experiences, then the news has significant effects on our decisions. Therefore this is to imply that the more we revise the more that information is primed by our memories, increasing the accessibility and its applications. False recognition theory When one is asked a question, the words used can have a substantial effect on what he or she remembers. Normally when the question is precise it may have an assumptive impact, for instance using a definite article 'the' contrasted with the less definite indefinite article 'a'. Therefore, for an effective revision, one should have precise and simple to rule out any presumptions, particularly when someone is using test questions. Fatigue Physical fatigue reduces the aptitude to perform physical activities like running. Fatigue also affects cognitive working and it becomes tougher to think and make operative decisions. Individuals have to be free from fatigue, either from the revision itself or other physical, emotional or physical stress. Fatigue is characterized by yawning, forgetfulness, dizziness among other factors. Schema theory Schema is the mental structure we use in organizing and simplifying our knowledge. We have schemas about ourselves, mechanical devices, food, other people, and in fact nearly everything. Schemas can be correlated to one another, occasionally in a hierarchy. Schemas determine what we notice, how we decide and act, and how we interpret things. They act like filters, downplaying and accentuating various elements. Since we remember and recall events and information through schemas and use them to ‘encode’ memories, it is very important to know our reading, absorption, understanding patterns and our memory ability so as to plan how, and how much we revise (Conway, Gathercole and Cornoldi 1998). Recency effect With a list of things to remember, people tend to remember the few last things more than the things in the middle. The recency effect mostly effect repeated persuading messages when there is delay between the messages. It is important to summarize things or notes for revising so that only the important context is featured in the revision kit. If someone sees a possibility of forgetting he / she should start and finalize with the key facts. Imagined memory Although memories are reconstructed, we can often articulate the difference between real memory and imagined memory. People can also get confused turning an imagined memory to what they think is real memory. Repetitive thinking about something may add the necessary detail. When revising, one should exclusively employ real memory. Network theory Network theory is also known as Network Affect Theory, Network Model or Associative Network Theory. Human brains tend to keep memories in nodes, that it then connects with related other memories.  Nodes can be affective (emotional meaning) or semantic (straightforward meaning). Thus we may have nodes for happiness, which are linked with all our happy memories. When revising we should have nodes connected to that particular reading activity such as, obtaining academic and life success, being knowledgeable etc. Von Restorff effect theory This theory dictates that human beings tend to memorize well and remember the most outstanding things. For instance, if you see a dog, cat, and hyena along the street, you are more likely to remember the hyena. Revising individuals should be careful not to only memorize the most outstanding things, but everything that remains crucial in the revision. Choice supportive bias theory When people recall past decisions, they distort memories to make choices they made seem the best of that could be made. Therefore when they have selected from several options, they will attribute much positive and less negative traits to the option they have chosen. As a result, one will feel good about his or her choices and have less guilt for bad decisions. This theory applies in revision in that the person revising should be having a calling choice to revise and remember the good things that come along with this revision as a motivator. Attitude and behavior The schema attitudes model tries to define that "something." An attitude is believed of as a schema i.e., a network of representations (like a memory trace, but more complicated). A schema thus incorporates all components of attitudes since it represents (and can bring about) beliefs, emotions, physiological reactions, behavioral tendencies, etc. The network can get "activated" through any one feature (e.g., seeing the attitude thing) and in turn activates the other aspects (e.g. beliefs, emotion about the object, an inclination to approach the object) (Conway, Gathercole and Cornoldi 1998). Schema model is also attuned with several potential neurological instantiations of networks (such as molecular, neuronal, and holistic) and hence makes it conceivable that attitudes actually exist in the brain. For successful achievement ion revision one has to have a positive attitude on the subject matter of the revision. References Conway A., Gathercole S., & Cornoldi C. (1998). Theories of memory 2 (1998). New York: Psychology Press. Read More