Universidad de Jaén

1.- Introduction to the study of memory.

• Definition, function and limits of the memory.

• Traditions in the study of memory: Ebbinghaus versus Barlett.

• The functional architecture of memory: cognitive perspective.

• Memory dissociations.

• The architecture of memory: neurocognitive perspective.

2.- Sensory memory.

• Iconic memory.

• Echoic memory.

3.- Short-term memory (STM).

• Structure of short-term memory.

• Limits

• Processes

4.-   Long-term memory (LTM).

• Encoding

• Organization

• Consolidation

5.- Recovery.

• Availability and accessibility.

• Forms of recovery.

• Context and retrieval.

6.- Forgetting.

• Definition.

• Incidental forgetting.

• Motivated forgetting.

7.- Witness memory.

• Factors influencing the accuracy of the witness.

• Faces remembering.

• Police procedures: line up and interviews.

• From the laboratory to the court.

8.- Improving Memory.

• Techniques for improving memory.

• Exam preparation.

The activities and the methods applied to develop such activities are oriented to the student reaching the learning outcomes linked to the competences trained in the course, and in the learning module in which the course is inserted: R03, R04, R05, and R06. The course is structured around activities in large group (3 hours per week), and activities in small group (1 hour every fortnight). Through these activities the student:

1. Will acquire and understand the knowledge that defines and articulates psychology as a scientific discipline within the study of the processes of memory (R03).

2. Will study and analyze the different theoretical models of the discipline, fundamentals, differences, and limitations (R05).

3. Will learn to emit grounded judgments about social, scientific, or ethical problems (R04) related to memory processes.

1. Will know how to apply the knowledge acquired during large group activities to resolution of a real problem, such as memory research project (R06).

The different evaluation tests described in the evaluation section allow verifying the level of performance reached by each student in reaching the above learning outcomes. 

A. Activities in large groups: Three weekly hours of lectures in which the contents of the course will be explained. Attendance and regular work is required. During class, different theoretical-practical activities will be programmed with the goal of facilitating the assimilation of the theoretical contents of the course by the student. These activities will require the assistance, implication, and autonomous work of the students. Periodically, some classes will be devoted to global tutoring (112.5 total hours of student work).

B.   Activities in smal group :

Students have to make a memory experiment and a scientific report.

To follow the course the student should assist to the classes and sign up in the virtual learning platform, in which she/he will find all the information concerning the course: Presentations, self-evaluation questions, group and work-team related information, deadlines, etc. To follow the information about the course the student must consult the information in the platform regularly.

Supervision and report handling deadlines are mandatory. Missing any deadline will negatively affect the activity evaluation.

Similarly, attending to class is a duty. Missing classes will affect the final evaluation of the course.

Students with special educational needs should contact the Student Attention Service (Servicio de Atención y Ayudas al Estudiante) in order to receive the appropriate academic support

The final goal of the evaluation system is to verify that the students have acquired the learning outcomes that are expected from the course. Through the course, attendance and participation to the different programmed activities is also evaluated. In such evaluation students should show that:

1. They have acquired and understood the knowledge that defines and articulates psychology as a scientific discipline within the study of the processes of memory (R03).

2. They are able to analyze the different theoretical models of the discipline, fundamentals and limitations (R05).

3. They have learned to emit grounded judgments about social, scientific, or ethical problems (R04) related to memory.

4. They know how to apply the knowledge acquired during large group activities to resolution of a real problem, such as memory research project (R06).

Evaluation in May (Convocatoria Ordinaria I):

Grade obtained in each evaluable aspect of the course will be calculated using the following formulae:

A) Participation and active involvement of the student in the class (10%) :

Involvement grade will be evaluated through attendance recordings and performance of programmed activities.

B) Class contents (70%) :

Students will have to take a test of all the contents of the course (excluding the activities) at the end of the semester, obtaining the final exam grade.

C. Planned activities (20%) .

Students have to carry out an experiment about memory in order to analyze the data and report results. This activity is mandatory in order to make any examination.