Introduction
The topic under discussion is the gender differences in recall from category-based learning. It is seen that the interference theory plays an important factor in that memory that has not fully developed may become prey to interference from new memories, which may result in their erasure, even though the new memories generated may not be similar to ones they impair. It is also said that memories tend to consolidate for a long time after they are formed.
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However, sometimes injuries to the hippocampus could damage, immediately preceding formed memories, although long-term memory may not be affected. (Wixted).
The effects of drugs and alcohol on the memory are also considered. It is widely believed that these items induce anterograde amnesia without affecting the performance of the hippocampus to consolidate previously formed memories. Thus, under alcohol, no new inputs could be added to the memory, but the existing inputs remain protected.
Again, coming to the aspects of learning, it has been said that short words are more remembered and recalled than bigger words, since the aspects of Two Second Span, within which the mind has to rehearse the word from memory, maybe too short for long words. There are two constituents for memory and are the size of the word and the memory power of the individual in a series of two experiments carried out, it was proved that although, in early trial, no word length effect was possible, over the course of the session, the advantages of using short words were realized. Similarly, in the second experiment, where 24 trials were held, the world length effect was visible, (Nairne, Neath & Serra, 1997). Next, it is needed to consider the effects of the integrity of word meanings in the dementia Alzheimer type (DAT) some researchers maintain that semantic memory is determined by the course of DAT, and during the early stages of DAT, this remains intact. The present research seeks to consider the buildup of PI. It could be seen that if one group
Has higher forgetting rates, that group has less buildup leading to higher forgetting rates. The empirical studies conclusively proved that during the early stages, the presence of semantic memory in DAT individuals confirms proactive interference (PI) and release from proactive interferences (RP). (Multhaup, Balota & Faust).
Next, the research studies that were conducted in order to establish whether the age-related changes interfere with the Recall under PI. In a set of two Studies I, and II, the effects of PI interference was sought to be established.
Under Study I, it was needed to be seen whether PI interference decreased between 4-13 years of age, and under Study II, which considered children between 3-6 years, it was needed to establish whether relationships between memory and reasoning, as being age-related changes in memory could reflect the age-related decline in the proclivity to interferences.
After the findings of the first study were made, the results showed that PI declined systematically during childhood although not repeatedly in individual studies, as was evident in the total data.
In the second study, most of the participants were in age group of 9 years to adults. The structural equation modeling indicated that in increasing ages, or age-related decreases in PI were mediated by age-related increases in processing speeds. (Kail, 2002).
In yet another experiment, the arguments put forth by a number of researchers who argued that verbal working memory system could be further divided into its various subdivisions, i.e., (I) for linguistic processing and (2) for verbal working memory for non-linguistic verbally mediated cognitive functions.
However, some have argued that both Linguistic processes and non-linguistic verbally construed cognizance as the same for verbal working memory systems. However, the results showed that the hypothesis could not be carried, and there is a pool of domain-specific verbal member’s reasons for sentence building. (Fedorenko & Gibson, 2006).
Next, it is proposed to consider the Jost’s law, whereby, it has become necessary to test the hypothesis, that if two associations are of equal strength, but are of different ages, the older association would benefit from additional learning and sustain lesser decay, as compared to the younger one. The idea that it is possible that the memories become more robust with the passage of time is due to the effect of consolidation. It has also been seen that the non-specific aspects of aging memory have also become less vulnerable. Thus the hypothesis s of Jost’s law has been proved correct and that memory traces become more resistant to decay with the passage of time. (Wixted, 2004).
The next aspect that needs to be considered in this study is with regard to the hypothesis of whether PI decreases the accuracy and decreases the growth of accuracy over retrieval time. It has been seen that the results of the experiment proves that there is clear evidence to support the theory that the chances of retrieval of the test probe from memory and significantly, there is also evidence that PI negatively affects the speed of retrieval.
The results of the conducted experiments prove that there is clear evidence that PI reduces the chances of retrieving the test probe from memory- Significantly, it also evidenced that PI negatively also affects the speed of retrieval. The findings of the research indicate that PI negatively attests the recognition performances by reducing the retrieval speed and accuracy. (Oztakin & McElree).
Yet another interesting research work dealt with the relevance of primed fragments and its completion – The experiment was conducted in order to gain evidence to the problem of forgetting in primed fragments. The results of this experiment have delineated that there is both incidence of similarities and differences between priming efforts. Some similarities between measures of memory should always be expected. “If different measures of memory had nothing in common, we would have no reason to classify them all as “memory.” However, it is the patterns of specific similarities and differences between different memory tasks and memory performance that will help us to understand the nature of priming.” (Sloman, Hayman & Ohta, 1988). Therefore, in this case , the main issue would be in terms of understanding the patterns of commonalities and variations in the memory tasks and how it would aid in memory reinforcements.
It is next proposed to take into consideration yet another model for interference and forgetting, which is known as Search of Associative Memory (SAM) for the basic idea of retrieval of long-term memory. SAM is also seen as a model of both relative and absolute strengths and it represents an important new step in the explaining the interference and forgetting aspects of memory. Although it has certain limitations and disadvantages, as being qualitative, etc., it could be said to be one of the foremost theories of memory. (Mensink & Raaijmaker, 1988).
It is now proposed to consider the memory recognition and recall aspects of the cognitive process also known as the short-term memory process. The simulation model holds a wide range of characteristics if imminent memory retention. There are two kinds of memory – Primary memory and secondary memory. The former is the actively used kind of memory for day-to-day usage and degenerates with time, usage and interference. However, it is seen that secondary memory is more long-term oriented and is used for major decision making, etc. This theory propounds that recall memory shall be based on sampling data and recovery of information from secondary memory search zones in the mind. The simulation model seeks to bring together the immediate research and therefore, a close link has to be maintained between the formal process of simulation and the mental process of primary memory. (Nairne, 1990).
Coming to the next part of the essay, it is proposed to take into consideration the fact that learning can be rendered slow if cues and responses are unrelated and it has also been seen that the preponderance of competing primed items in predictive responses lead to greater RI. However, where definite patterns can be established between the cues and questions, the learning process becomes quicker and hassle-free, and the RI comes down. During the course of Four experiments conducted to establish the fact that predictive relativity could help stimulate and retrieve unique responses that could alter aspects of forgetfulness, etc. (Bower, Schill & Tulving, 1994).
It has been seen in the above deliberations that the aspects of memory are a complex subject with large ramifications into areas of psychology, sociology, mental health and other disciplines. In the essays that have been referred to, the aspect of gender does not arise nor there has been sighted any differentiations regarding use of gender while addressing the experimentations and its results and discussions.
Therefore, it could be said that for the purpose of this essay the main aspects that need to be delved into, would be in terms of how and why interference theory and proactive or retrograde interference take place, and how it influences memory performance generally. It could be said that time alone does not lead to memory losses, just as iron kept outside does not rust on its own. There are factors like consolidation and interferences, which come into play. Consolidation occurs when inputs are stored into memory for long term and would be difficult to dislodge, except in the event of damage sustained by the hippocampus and or prefrontal cortex region of the brain. PI, or proactive interference, refers to the external stimuli which impact negatively upon memory by replacing new inputs in place of the non-formed inputs already in the brain, which results in memory losses.
It has been observed that one of the major aspects of memory has been the aspects of long-term potential ion (LTP). It has been seen in research carried out using alcohol and drugs, that these substances have the ability to inhibit the encoding of new inputs in the brain and they effectively block out any new mental generations. These induce anterograde amnesia without really compromising on the ability of the hippocampus to consolidate the previously gained and stored memories. Thus, although no new inputs are registered in the brain, the existing inputs are well stored and, in most cases could be retrieved.
Now coming to the aspects of forgetfulness, it could be said that this condition arises due to the Function of the non-specific retroactive actions on the memory on inputs that have not been consolidated. In the early stages of consolidation, memory traces remain and the long-term potentiation (LTP) upon the hippocampus succeeds in wiping out the earlier unconsolidated inputs. It has been seen that if alcohol is administered immediately upon the learning, the learned matter would be consolidated and would not be subject to memory losses within a specified timeframe. It has often been said that the main reason for memory losses, besides, of course memory impairments, is the course of time. It has been observed that, far from being a cause of forgetfulness, time serves to refresh memories and could even unlock the doors of memories of events and people that occurred a long time ago. This is possibly due to the fact that such memories have been safely anchored in the brain and consolidated. It has also been observed that interference is not a memory retarding process, but only occurs since there are competitive factors at play during the time of retrieval of information. Even the aspect of consolidation is, to most psychologists, is a physiological exercise and thus has very little to do with mind or memory powers.
Conclusion
There have been numerous research studies conducted on this fascinating subject of human memory systems and their intricate working, and still a lot more needs to be done in this vital area of human development. In order to ensure that the future could be strongly underpinned with benefits obtained from the scientific application of findings obtained regarding the functioning of the human brain and its various ramifications. This needs to be seen in the context of 21st century Science and Technological studies, which are making path-breaking innovations and developments in areas of human living.
References
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