Human Memory: Theory And Practic - Softcover

Baddeley

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0863771335 ISBN 13: 9780863771330

Publisher: Psych Press UK, 1990

Synopsis

This undergraduate text presents a view of current research on human memory that relates traditional laboratory-based work to the rich and growing body of evidence from the study of memory in everyday life and in the clinic. The text has three parallel strands; First, an account of what laboratory-based studies have told us about the structure and function of human memory, and how theories are developed and tested. This includes a clear exposition of the relationship between theory development and experimental data and involves a detailed description of key experiments. The links with theories of learning based on conditioning in animals are also explored, particularly the practical implications of such work for the modification of habits and the treatment of emotional disorders. The methods of Artificial Intelligence and Connectionist models of memory based on Parallel Distributed Processing approaches to cognition are considered. The second strand of the book is rather less conventional, approaching the analysis of human memory by starting with the problems people encounter in the world, and using these to motivate an interest in the study of memory in the laboratory. The third strand that runs through the book is concerned with the breakdown of memory in brain-damaged patients. In addition to work on amnesic patients "Human Memory" uses neuropsychological data in order to demonstrate the everyday importance of memory, and includes detailed description of individual patients with memory deficits of various types. The account covers both the theoretical implications of the various deficits and the light they throw on the importance of memory in everyday life. Finally the question is raised of how psychology can help the patients using specific case histories to illustrate the range of single-case and group treatment designs that are now being applied. The book is aimed at a university or college student taking a course in human memory, but assumes that memory lies at the centre of cognition. Consequently the links between memory and attention, perception, action and emotion are stressed, making it a useful core text for a more general course on cognitive psychology. "Human Memory" aims to teach aspects of human learning and memory that will be useful to readers both in understanding their own memory, and in providing a background for a range of possible subsequent courses which might involve education, law, medicine or any of a range of social sciences.

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

About this edition

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