List the seven dwarfs. To name the dwarfs we must get the information into our brains (Encoding), retain it over time (Storage), and now get it back out (Retrieval). These are the three basic tasks of memory.
Maybe you have the feeling that you know the name but are unable to retrieve it? If so describe what you can.
- what letter does it start with (S and D occur most frequently)
- how many syllables (6 of the 7 have two-syllable names)
- what meaning does it have (most are vivid adjectives)
This phenomenon is called Tip-of-the-Tongue and occurs when the retrieval process does not produce a complete response but produces parts that must be constructed into a whole. It shows that forgetting can be a retrieval failure rather than encoding or storage failure.
Factors that may influence retrieval:
- Disney-buff (love the movie/characters)
- been too long since last exposure
- distracted (by others claiming to know/ working on homework, etc.)
- never focused on inconsequential information
- culture-bound (not familiar with the story/movie/characters)
Perhaps you remember the names based on pattern (heuristic, from next chapter). Memory is often organized based on sound, letter or meaning. Wrong answers illustrate this point.
- usually end in Y
- start with a S or D
- have 2 syllables
- have a similar meaning (Lazy, Clumsy, Droopy, Grouchy)
- long-beard (Sleepy, Grumpy, Bashful), short-beard (Doc, Sneezy, Happy)
or no beard (Dopey)
- hat or shirt color (red, green, brown)
Would you be able to remember the names if it was a recognition rather than recall task. Advance the slide to show the picture ONLY and then advance the list of names. Recall involves a two-step process: generation of possible targets (pictures/names) and the identification of the right ones. Recognition is generally easier because the first step has been done for you. You only have to match the information. Research suggests that the order, from most likely to least likely recalled is:
- Sleepy, Dopey, Grumpy, Sneezy, Happy, Doc, Bashful
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An easy mnemonic, or memory aid, is that there are: 2 D’s, 2 S’s and 3 emotions.
- Gabby Hopeful
- Doc Wheezy
- Scaredy Sleepy
- Happy Stubby
- Puffy Pop
- Dopey Bashful
- Sniffy Lazy
- Wishful Shorty
- Sloppy Droopy
- Teach Grumpy
- Smiley Clumsy
- Bob Cheerful
- Jumpy Puffy
- Sneezy Shy
two D’s, two S’s & three Emotions
Doc, Dopey, Sleepy, Sneezy, Grumpy, Happy & Bashful