At last a research-based text that engages students in learning about memory in a meaningful way"""
Designed to make memory research come to life through the use of examples that students can use in their everyday lives, this text provides an in-depth exploration into the science and the methodology of memory. Author Bennett Schwartz includes separate chapters on metamemory, biology of memory, and false memory critical to a comprehensive understanding of memory science to enhance the book s accessible introduction to the field. Throughout the book, coverage of cognitive psychology and neuroscience is integrated to help students make the connection between cognitive theory and research and the places in the brain where memory processes occur.
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.
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!