Memory: Foundations and Applications

by Bennett L. Schwartz

The fully updated Third Edition of Bennett L. Schwartz's practical text on memory science engages students in an exploration of how memory works in everyday life through unique applications in areas such as education, job-related memory, investigations, and courtrooms. Throughout the book, integrated coverage of cognitive psychology and neuroscience connects theory and research to the areas in the brain where memory processes occur.

Four overarching themes that create a framework for the text the active nature of learning and remembering; memory′s status as a biological process; the multiple components of memory systems; and how memory principles can improve our individual ability to learn and remember.

Featuring substantive changes that bring the book completely up to date, the Third Edition offers students an array of high-interest examples for augmenting their own memory abilities and appreciation of memory science.

544 pages, ebook

First published August 12, 2010

Reviews

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a text book, not a ‘popular’ science book like those written by Oliver Sacks or V.S. Ramachandran, and so is laid out and written very differently. The book is divided into subjects- the various aspects of memory: working memory, episodic memory, visual memory, semantic memory, false memory, memory disorders, memory in children and older adults, and, finally, memory improvement (there are actually tips on memory improvement in other chapters, too). Each chapter does start with a case history that illustrates the aspect of memory for that chapter, but the rest is solidly researched facts. The text is sprinkled with graphs, illustrations, memory tips, quizzes (with the key at the end of them), review questions, and related on line resources. I wish text books had been written like this when I was in college! It’s readable by anyone, but it’s while it’s not slow going, it’s not fast, either. There are a lot of facts to get through and understand. Four stars, looking at it from the point of view of a casual reader rather than someone reading it for a college class.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to understand and read. Very informative. Got a bit repetitive in parts though. Had to go to another textbook to learn about forgetting, misattribution, suggestibility, etc. It covered all the other portions of memory pretty well otherwise!