Nature of things. The past imperfect. Memory

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Description

Memory is at the heart of everything we do and affects how we function as human beings. It is a complex system with some extraordinary capacity and some unexpected foibles. This Nature of Things production explores many aspects of memory: long and short term memory; hypnosis as a method of recalling the past; the phenomenon of amnesia; the memory of very young children; and the veracity of eye witness testimony. Memory does not work like a videotape recorder. There is the acquisition stage, the retention stage and the retrieval stage. At each stage, memory is subject to influences, but the retention stage is especially vulnerable. Several experts share their findings. We hear from psychologist Alan Baddeley of Cambridge University who has been studying various aspects of 'working memory.' Dr. Elizabeth Loftus describes her work as an expert in eyewitness testimony. Psychologist Carolyn Rovee-Collier of Rutgers University describes her research on babies' memories.