Understanding Memory: Explaining the Psychology of Memory through Movies

Product type

Understanding Memory: Explaining the Psychology of Memory through Movies

Coursera (CC)
Logo Coursera (CC)
Provider rating: starstarstarstar_halfstar_border 7.2 Coursera (CC) has an average rating of 7.2 (out of 6 reviews)

Need more information? Get more details on the site of the provider.

Description

When you enroll for courses through Coursera you get to choose for a paid plan or for a free plan

  • Free plan: No certicification and/or audit only. You will have access to all course materials except graded items.
  • Paid plan: Commit to earning a Certificate—it's a trusted, shareable way to showcase your new skills.

About this course: Welcome to Understanding Memory. Someone once said that memory is fascinating because sometimes we forget what we want to remember, sometimes we remember what we want to forget, and sometimes we remember events that never happened or never happened the way we remember them. I want to show you how memory works, why it sometimes fails, and what we can do to enhance it. Based on my recent book – Memory and Movies: What Films Can Teach Us About Memory (MIT Press, 2015) – I will provide an introduction to the scientific study of human memory by focusing on a select group of topics that hold widespread appeal. To facilitate your understanding, I will use clips from numerous…

Read the complete description

Frequently asked questions

There are no frequently asked questions yet. If you have any more questions or need help, contact our customer service.

Didn't find what you were looking for? See also: Psychology, Emotional Intelligence, Interpersonal Skills, Problem Analysis & Solving, and Life Coaching.

When you enroll for courses through Coursera you get to choose for a paid plan or for a free plan

  • Free plan: No certicification and/or audit only. You will have access to all course materials except graded items.
  • Paid plan: Commit to earning a Certificate—it's a trusted, shareable way to showcase your new skills.

About this course: Welcome to Understanding Memory. Someone once said that memory is fascinating because sometimes we forget what we want to remember, sometimes we remember what we want to forget, and sometimes we remember events that never happened or never happened the way we remember them. I want to show you how memory works, why it sometimes fails, and what we can do to enhance it. Based on my recent book – Memory and Movies: What Films Can Teach Us About Memory (MIT Press, 2015) – I will provide an introduction to the scientific study of human memory by focusing on a select group of topics that hold widespread appeal. To facilitate your understanding, I will use clips from numerous films to illustrate different aspects of memory – describing what has been learned about memory in a nontechnical way for people with no prior background in psychology. Many of us love watching movies because they offer an unparalleled opportunity for entertainment, even if entertaining films are not always scientifically accurate. Still, I believe that we can learn a lot about memory from popular films, if we watch them with an educated eye. Welcome once more. I am looking forward to showing you what movies can teach us about memory. John Seamon Professor of Psychology Emeritus Wesleyan University

Created by:  Wesleyan University
  • Taught by:  John Seamon, Professor Emeritus

    Psychology
Commitment 5 weeks of study, 1-2 hours/week Language English, Subtitles: Korean, Greek, Spanish, Chinese (Simplified) How To Pass Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. User Ratings 4.6 stars Average User Rating 4.6See what learners said Задания курса

Каждый курс — это интерактивный учебник, который содержит видеоматериалы, тесты и проекты.

Помощь сокурсников

Общайтесь с тысячами других учащихся: обсуждайте идеи, материалы курса и помогайте друг другу осваивать новые понятия.

Сертификаты

Получите документы о прохождении курсов и поделитесь своим успехом с друзьями, коллегами и работодателями.

Wesleyan University At Wesleyan, distinguished scholar-teachers work closely with students, taking advantage of fluidity among disciplines to explore the world with a variety of tools. The university seeks to build a diverse, energetic community of students, faculty, and staff who think critically and creatively and who value independence of mind and generosity of spirit.

Syllabus


WEEK 1


Memory Processes and Memory Movies



Human memory involves a collection of systems that enable us to remember the past and imagine the future. Films can enhance our understanding of memory by telling us stories about people, illustrating how their present was shaped by their past and how, by watching their stories, we might navigate similar situations in our future.


5 videos, 1 reading expand


  1. Video: Preview: Welcome to Memory and Movies
  2. Video: Lecture 1: Sometimes Life Imitates Art - Film: 50 First Dates
  3. Video: Lecture 2: What is Memory? - Film: Finding Nemo
  4. Video: Lecture 3: Memory's Everyday Function
  5. Video: Lecture 4: Using Films to Tell Stories About Memory - Film: The Princess Bride
  6. Материал для самостоятельного изучения: Suggested Readings for Module 1 (optional)

Graded: Memory Processes and Memory Films

WEEK 2


Making Long Lasting Memories
Memory’s main purpose is to facilitate future thinking. But to plan successful future actions, effective strategies for learning and retention are needed. Some strategies are highly effective for producing long lasting memories, others are not.


6 videos, 1 reading expand


  1. Video: Lecture 5: A Memory Worth Keeping - Film: After Life
  2. Video: Lecture 6: Creating Long Lasting Memories - Film: Cast Away
  3. Video: Lecture 7: Facing the Future by Looking Backward - Film: Groundhog Day
  4. Video: Lecture 8: Different Ways of Remembering - Film: Crash
  5. Video: Lecture 9: Where Do We Keep Our Memories - Film: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
  6. Video: Lecture 10: Memory Champs, Mnemonics, and Savants - Movie: Rain Man
  7. Материал для самостоятельного изучения: Suggested Readings for Module 2 (optional)

Graded: Making Memories that Last

WEEK 3


Autobiographical Memories and Life Stories



Each of us has a life story based on our personal experiences. These autobiographical memories define us and make us unique. But in telling our life story, we have reconstructed a personal narrative, much like a memoir writer. These recollections are generally accurate, but our memories are never a perfect record of the past.


6 videos, 1 reading expand


  1. Video: Lecture 11: Narrative Flashbacks - Film: The Kite Runner
  2. Video: Lecture 12: Tell Me a Story About You - Film: Slumdog Millionaire
  3. Video: Lecture 13: Emotion, Empathy, and Movies - Film: Cinema Paradiso: The New Version
  4. Video: Lecture 14: Distant Memories - Film: Titanic
  5. Video: Lecture 15: Unforgettable Moments - Film: Unchained Memories: The Slave Narratives
  6. Video: Lecture 16: Remember Me - Film: The Joy Luck Club
  7. Материал для самостоятельного изучения: Suggested Readings for Module 3 (optional)

Graded: Autobiographical Memories and Life Stories

WEEK 4


Understanding the Reality of Amnesia



Amnesia has often been portrayed in film as resulting from a bump on the head and cured by another head bonk. In real life, amnesia can follow physical or emotional trauma, it may be temporary or permanent, and if it resolves, it is never from another blow to the head.


5 videos, 1 reading expand


  1. Video: Lecture 17: Where Am I? - Film: Desperately Seeking Susan
  2. Video: Lecture 18: Organic Amnesia from Brain Injuries - Film: The Music Never Stopped
  3. Video: Lecture 19: Lost and Found Memories: Dissociative Amnesia - Film: The Return of the Soldier
  4. Video: Lecture 20: Lost and Found Memories: Dissociative Fugue - Film: The Majestic
  5. Video: Lecture 21: Memory's Most Studied Mind - Film: Memento
  6. Материал для самостоятельного изучения: Suggested Readings for Module 4 (optional)

Graded: Understanding the Reality of Amnesia

WEEK 5


Senior Moments, Forgetfulness, and Dementia



Changes in memory can occur as we get older. Some changes are normal, whereas others might signal the onset of Alzheimer’s disease or some other form of dementia. Memory loss is worrisome, but there are effective ways to help maintain memory function as we age.


5 videos, 1 reading expand


  1. Video: Lecture 22: My Memory Isn't What It Used to Be - Film: Cocoon
  2. Video: Lecture 23: A Troubling Turn: Mild Cognitive Impairment - Film: On Golden Pond
  3. Video: Lecture 24: Strokes and Vascular Dementia - Film: Amour
  4. Video: Lecture 25: The Insidious Invader: Alzheimer's Disease - Film: Away From Her
  5. Video: Lecture 26: Maintaining Memory in Old Age - Film: The Bucket List
  6. Материал для самостоятельного изучения: Suggested Readings for Module 5 (optional)

Graded: Senior Moments, Forgetfulness, and Dementia
There are no reviews yet.

Share your review

Do you have experience with this course? Submit your review and help other people make the right choice. As a thank you for your effort we will donate £1.- to Stichting Edukans.

There are no frequently asked questions yet. If you have any more questions or need help, contact our customer service.