Memory: Phenomena, Experiment and Theory

By Alan J. Parkin and Alan J Parkin

Book Overview

Memory: Phenomena, Experiment and Theory provides a lively but comprehensive account of modern experimental and theoretical approaches to the study of human memory. Throughout, the book integrates experimental findings with neuropsychological and neurophysiological data and describes a wide range of fascinating memory phenomena. A central theme of the book concerns the organisation of memory. The idea that memory is composed of a series of structures is contrasted with process accounts of how memory works. There is a substantial account of the explicit/implicit distinction in memory research - an area that has been the centre of much recent experimentation and debate. A long chapter on remembering and forgetting describes recent theoretical accounts of retrieval and provides an account of a wide range of forgetting phenomena including the effects of mood, repression and multiple personality. Additional chapters are devoted to imagery and the working memory approach, and the final two chapters examine memory development and explain how and why memory changes in later life.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0631157123
• ISBN13: 9780631157120
• Release Date: July 1993
• Publisher: Blackwell Publishers
• Length: 231 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.

Customer Reviews

avoids lower level biological models

Parkin does not go into any of the underlying biological models of memory acquisition and retention. Since this book was published in 1993, there have been considerable advances in the biology. Instead, the book is pitched towards the higher levels of systems and clinical tests. Many experimental studies are summarised, and placed within an overall coherent and simple to understand framework. Different models of memory as discussed, along with how these are supported (or not) by experimental evidence. An interesting section is on the short term working memory. We see how this functions like a scratch pad. And we see its limitations. Along with speculations as to how it differs from long term memory.