Human Memory: Theory And Practic - Softcover

Baddeley

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0863771335 ISBN 13: 9780863771330

Publisher: Psych Press UK, 1990

Synopsis

People seem to be intrigued by memory, and by its sometimes spectacular failure in (for example) people with amnesia. However, students of memory sometimes fail to retain this fascination. The reason is clear: in order to study memory we must carry out carefully-designed experiments, which can seem boring even when they are exciting science. Fortunately, we now know enough about memory to relate laboratory studies to the world beyond. In other words, our scientific knowledge of memory and how it works can help us to explain those aspects of memory that most people find of greatest interest.

This book presents a thorough, accessible and appealing overview of the field, written with students in mind, by some of the world's leading researchers. It starts with a brief overview and explanation of the scientific approach to memory before going on to discuss the basic characteristics of the various memory systems and how they work. Summaries of short-term and working memory are followed by chapters on learning, the role of organization in memory, the ways in which our knowledge of the world is stored, retrieval, and on intentional and motivated forgetting.

The latter half of the book involves the broader application of our basic understanding of memory, with chapters on autobiographical memory, amnesia, and on memory in childhood and aging. After chapters discussing eyewitness testimony and prospective memory, a final chapter addresses an issue of great importance to students how to improve your memory.

Each chapter of the book is written by one of the three authors, an approach which takes full advantage of their individual expertise, style and personality. This enhances students enjoyment of the book, allowing them to share the authors own fascination with human memory.

About this title

From the Back Cover

The field of memory in cognitive Psychology is undergoing rapid changes. This new edition is updated with the most-recent discoveries in the field. In this new edition, respected scholar Alan Baddeley retains all of the chapters of the previous edition and adds three new chapters called "Consciousness," "Implicit Learning" and "Recollective and Implicit Memory." The new chapters include coverage of one of the most fascinating studies of memory: ecological (or everyday) memory. Addtional topics include: failing memory; retrieval; treating memory problems; and the role of memory. Cognitive psychologists and psychiatrists.

Review

It is written in an unusually lucid and entertaining way, while nevertheless managing to grapple with important theoretical issues. This is an unusual skill (at least among academic psychologists!) Secondly, Baddeley appears to have fewer theoretical axes to grind than many writers of academic books. As a consequence, he succeeds in presenting balanced evaluations of the theories and experiments he discusses. - Michael W. Eysenck in The British Journal of Psychology

As well as having an impressive list of contents, the book is also extremely enjoyable to read. The author deals with complex issues in an approachable and understandable way and the style is chatty and free of confusing jargon. This is complemented by a liberal sprinkling of anecdotes which both inform and amuse. To summarise, this is an excellent book with no serious rivals in its field. It should be an essential item on the shopping list of all psychology undergraduates. - Tim Dalgleish in the Irish Journal of Psychology

Edition details

• Publisher: Psych Press UK
• Publication date: 1990
• ISBN 10: 0863771335
• ISBN 13: 9780863771330
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 528