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Science of Memory Concepts
Scientists currently study memory from many different neurobiological, ethological, animal conditioning, cognitive, behavioral neuroscience, social, and cultural. The aim of this book is to help initiate a new science of memory by bringing these perspectives together to create a unified understanding of the topic. The book began with a conference where leading practitioners from all these major approaches met to analyze and discuss 16 concepts that are crucial to our understanding of memory. Each of these 16 concepts is addressed in a section of the book, and in the 66 succinct chapters that fill these sections, a leading researcher addresses the section's concept by clearly stating his or her position on it, elucidating how it is used, and discussing how it should be used in future research. For some concepts, there is general agreement among practitioners from different fields and levels of analysis, but for others there is general disagreement and much
controversy. A final chapter in each section, also written by a leading researcher, integrates the various viewpoints offered on the section's concept, then draws conclusions about the concept. This groundbreaking volume will be an indispensable reference for all the students and researchers who will build upon the foundation it provides for the new science of memory.
controversy. A final chapter in each section, also written by a leading researcher, integrates the various viewpoints offered on the section's concept, then draws conclusions about the concept. This groundbreaking volume will be an indispensable reference for all the students and researchers who will build upon the foundation it provides for the new science of memory.
- GenresSciencePsychology
446 pages, Paperback
First published February 7, 2007
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About the author
Henry L. Roediger III
24 books20 followersHenry L. Roediger III is James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor of Psychology at Washington University in St. Louis.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 18, 2022
An extremely valuable book. Gave me a big-picture understanding of the many aspects related to memory. I did not understand every chapter in full detail, as my expertise is more related to Cognitive Science, coming from a Cognitive Load Theory background. However, I did get a significant amount of valuable insight from the book.
It's likely a source I will reread when I have more knowledge about neuroscience.
The most interesting insight I got from the book is that memories do not even exist until they are retrieved; i.e., existing only is the engram, memory trace: the long-lasting physiological changes of an experience or encoding event.
Furthermore, the book confirmed my suspicions that initial learning (the encoding process) should be optimized with regards to the use case of the knowledge, thus making the assessments and tests given at schools, primarily high school, quite useless as the form in which we will use our learned knowledge is usually not on paper but more so in the real world, in practice.
It's likely a source I will reread when I have more knowledge about neuroscience.
The most interesting insight I got from the book is that memories do not even exist until they are retrieved; i.e., existing only is the engram, memory trace: the long-lasting physiological changes of an experience or encoding event.
Furthermore, the book confirmed my suspicions that initial learning (the encoding process) should be optimized with regards to the use case of the knowledge, thus making the assessments and tests given at schools, primarily high school, quite useless as the form in which we will use our learned knowledge is usually not on paper but more so in the real world, in practice.
January 3, 2022
What is memory?
Unfortunately, this is, as the 12th Doctor would say, a very *BIG* question.
As a neuroscientist in training who is studying the neurobiology of learning and memory, this book as been invaluable in giving me a foundation to view the whole field. By framing the book as tackling different concepts (encoding, retrieval, persistence, forgetting, plasticity), and having different experts weigh in on their perspectives on the state of the field, it's truly unlike any academic text I have ever read.
In spite of being published over 14 years ago, this book remains incredibly sharp and critical to any developing LAM neuroscientist. I will be returning to it for years to come.
Unfortunately, this is, as the 12th Doctor would say, a very *BIG* question.
As a neuroscientist in training who is studying the neurobiology of learning and memory, this book as been invaluable in giving me a foundation to view the whole field. By framing the book as tackling different concepts (encoding, retrieval, persistence, forgetting, plasticity), and having different experts weigh in on their perspectives on the state of the field, it's truly unlike any academic text I have ever read.
In spite of being published over 14 years ago, this book remains incredibly sharp and critical to any developing LAM neuroscientist. I will be returning to it for years to come.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews