This new edition of `Memory in the Real World' has been extensively updated and extended to include the latest research in all areas of everyday memory. The controversy about the value of naturalistic research, as opposed to traditional laboratory methods, is described and the views of both critics and defenders put forward. The current trend towards the convergence of the two approaches is evaluated. This book provides a comprehensive state-of the-art review, bringing together studies on many different topics such as memory for plans and actions; for names and faces; for routes and maps; conversations and stories; autobiographical experiences, and childhood events. Further chapters focus on memory for general knowledge and for specialist domains like music, chess and computer programming. Emphasis is also given to memory for internal mental events such as thoughts and dreams. Topics that have recently attracted attention, such as false memory syndrome, memory for health events and social remembering, are included. This new edition spells out the links between naturalistic and applied studies and the models, and theories that support them. It shows how theoretical frameworks such as schemas, scripts, mental models and production systems, and concepts such as encoding specificity, implicit memory and rule-based and case-based reasoning, are needed to explain and interpret the findings and observations derived from the study of memory in the real world. (A)
Abstract