Intuition might say that memory is very precise. Humans rely on memory for everyday habits, driving directions, performing tasks at work, and academic tasks. However, numerous studies in psychology indicate that memories can be created and distorted.

As it turns out, the answer to the question of memory鈥檚 precision is not so simple. , an assistant professor of at 草莓社区 (EMU), explained how cognitive psychologists model memory in a recent Suter Science Seminar.

Cognitive psychology deals with how people 鈥渢ake in information content from the world and process that information and use it in a meaningful way that helps us interact and successfully navigate our everyday life,鈥� said Koop.

Memory is just one way people process information. Humans rely heavily on memory, but Koop cited two studies that suggest memory is not reliable. A series of experiments by psychologist Elizabeth Loftus showed that wordings of questions regarding visual memory could change the details of the memory. Another study by Loftus showed that entirely new memories could be implanted into a person鈥檚 mind.

Koop, who has conducted research and published numerous studies on the memory and cognitive psychology, explained that memory can be divided into three sub-processes: encoding, storage, and retrieval. Encoding involves perceiving the world and processing it into memory. Once memories enter the brain, they are stored. They remain stored until the brain recalls, or retrieves, the memories.

Koop used a model developed by Richard Shiffrin and Mark Steyyers called Retrieving Effectively from Memory (REM) to demonstrate these processes. In REM, the process of encoding is assumed to be incomplete and subject to occasional errors. When memories are retrieved, the brain fills in additional details, which also opens the opportunity for new encoding errors.

To explain this model, Koop discussed an experiment in which a participant is asked to memorize a series of words. The participant is then given a second series of words and asked to identify which words are repeats and which words are new. People do this by retrieving aspects of the stored memory and comparing them with the aspects of a word in the second series.

Koop also explained that REM enables researchers to make computer programs that simulate human memory. Demonstrating the process, Koop input a series of to-be-remembered items which the computer then encoded, stored, and retrieved. Human memory can be modeled by changing the computer鈥檚 accuracy in encoding and other variables.

Koop spoke as part of EMU鈥檚 annual . Lectures are presented by experts in their field and are free and open to the public. Jim Krauss, president of RMH Sentara Medical Center, will speak March 9 at 4 p.m. about his healthcare career that began in Paraguay as a Peace Corps volunteer.

“Interlude,” a 14-voice choir comprised of current EMU students and recent graduates.

Concerts by choral groups occur regularly on the EMU campus, but this one will be a bit different.

“Interlude,” a 14-voice choir comprised of current EMU students and recent graduates, will present a concert of choral favorites on Wednesday, Apr. 28. But this will be the group’s only performance, and the program is dedicated to the memory of a fallen EMU alumnus.

Admission to the concert, at 7 p.m. in Martin Chapel of the seminary building, is by donation, with all proceeds going to the Matthew Garber Endowed Scholarship Fund at EMU.

Garber: student leader, musician

Garber, 22, a well-loved student leader, musician, and 2008 nursing graduate from Elizabethtown, Pa., was known for his strong faith, musicianship and good sense of humor.

He drowned on July 1, 2008 while on a missions trip in Costa Rica. Garber was planning to begin work as an emergency room nurse at Lancaster (PA) General Hospital the end of that summer.

About the concert

The group will be perform a wide variety of choral music from Rachmaninoff, Lauridsen and several African pieces to selections from a group from Finland called Rajaton. A member described the program as “kind of a ‘greatest hits’ of collective favorites from past choral experiences.”

“We just had a group of people who loved singing and wanted to do it together on a regular basis,” said choir member Katie Derstine.

“But in choosing music and during early rehearsals, Matt (Garber) kept coming to mind. Several of us talked about how pieces reminded us of him and how much he would have enjoyed participating in this project. Turning the concert into a benefit seemed a good way to focus our energy and give a more tangible purpose to what we were doing,” she added.

For more information on the program, contact Katie Derstine at 540-432-4110; email: katherine.derstine@emu.edu.