Down Memory Lane: the Relationship Between Long and Short Term Memory

David Hogberg,, Professor emeritus, Psychology Department, Albion College. email: dhogberg@albion.edu; and Martha O’Kennon, Professor Emerita, Mathematics and Computer Science Department, Albion College, email: mokennon@albion.edu; phone: 517-629-8216.

Tuesdays, 2 – 4 p. Jan 31, Feb 1, 14, 21, at Ludington.

You know how they say we older folks lose our short-term memory but never can get rid of those annoying evidences of long-term memory, like those Tom Lehrer songs that some of us know by heart to the annoyance of some of our friends. Dave Hogberg is studying the relationship between Long- and Short-term memories, and has found evidence that our long–term memory may actually be able to help with our short-term memory. At the beginning of each class, he will discuss these topics: Day 1: Stages of Memory: Echoic and iconic, short/long term. Day 2: Measures of memory: Recall vs recognition. Day 3: Memory maintenance: Brain and Memory. Day 4: Memory improvement/memory and aging; fluid vs crystallized memory.

In the second half of each class, we will practice our long-term memories. We will sing to and with each other. There are hymns, for example, that most of us know by heart. We can also choose to recite poems that we learned in school (or the better ones we learned outside of class). Maybe you still remember how to do the fox-trot or waltz? We can reminisce about scenes from childhood or younger adulthood. Can these long-term memories be used to aid our short-term memory? Let’s find out!