13. MEMORY Flashcards
1
Q
- What is memory?
Provide a vague definition.
A
- it is the learning we retain over a long period of time
2
Q
- Provide a scientific definition for human memory.
A
- it is an Information Processing System
- it works constructively to encode, store and retrieve information
3
Q
- What are the three key Memory Processes?
A
- Encoding
- Storage
- Retrieval
4
Q
- What is Forgetting a result of?
A
- it can result from a failure of any of the three stages
(Encoding, Storage, Retrieval) - it is not an issue with the whole memory process itself
5
Q
- With regards to comparing your memory to a computer (the Computer Paradigm), what is Encoding?
A
- this is the same as typing data into a computer system
6
Q
- With regards to comparing your memory to a computer (the Computer Paradigm), what is Storage?
A
- it is the same as the data that has been stored in a hard disc or on a flash drive
- this is the second step
- you now have information stored for later
7
Q
- With regards to comparing your memory to a computer (the Computer Paradigm), what is Retrieval?
A
- it is the third step
- this is when the information that is already in storage is needed
- and one has to bring it back for usage
8
Q
- What are the three major stages of Memory?
A
- Sensory Memory
- Short Term Memory
(Working Memory) - Long-Term Memory
9
Q
- What areas do the three stages of memory differ in?
A
- Capacity
- Duration
- Function
10
Q
- What is Capacity?
A
- it refers to how much information can be stored
11
Q
- What is Duration?
A
- it refers to how long the information can be stored for
12
Q
- What is Function?
A
- it refers to what is done with the stored information
- it refers to what is done with the capacity and the function
13
Q
- What is Sensory Input?
A
- it is everything we:
- see
- hear
- taste
- smell
14
Q
- What happens to the Sensory Input?
A
- it is encoded
- it is changed into a format that the brain can interpret
15
Q
- Where does all the sensory input go into?
A
- all the sensory input goes into our sensory memory
16
Q
- What does our Sensory Memory collect?
What does it do with this?
A
- it collects everything from all our sense
- it processes all this information very quickly and briefly
- the information stays in our Sensory Memory for 2 seconds
(unless we give this information attention)
17
Q
- What is the Function of Sensory Memory?
A
- it holds the information long enough to be processed
for basic physical characteristics
18
Q
- What is the Capacity of the Sensory Memory?
A
- it is large
- it can hold many items at once
19
Q
- What is the Duration of the Sensory Memory?
A
- it has a very brief retention of images
- it is about 250 milli seconds for visual information
- it is 3 seconds for auditory information
20
Q
- How does Sensory Memory form?
A
- it forms automatically
- it does not need attention or interpretation to form
21
Q
- What is needed to transfer Sensory Memory to Working Memory?
A
- attention
22
Q
- What are the two types of Sensory Memory?
(that are converted into Working Memory)
A
- Iconic Memory
- Echoic Memory
23
Q
- What is Iconic Memory?
A
- it is used for visual information
- it holds information for 250 milli seconds
- it relates to nerve impulses sent from the eye
24
Q
- What is Echoic Memory?
A
- it is used for auditory information
- it holds information for 3 seconds
- it relates to nerve impulses sent from the ear
25
Q
- What exists for each sense?
A
- a separate register
- memory images take the form of nerve impulses at this stage
26
Q
- Which Memory Register exists for Touch?
A
- Tactile Memory
27
Q
- Which Memory Register exists for Smell?
A
- Olfactory Memory
28
Q
- Which Memory Register exists for Taste?
A
- Gustatory Memory
29
Q
- Where will information go once it has been given Attention?
A
- it will go to Short-Term Memory
30
Q
- What is capacity does Short Term memory have?
A
- it has 7 +/- 2 pieces of information
31
Q
- How long can pieces of information be stored in Short Term Memory?
A
- they can be stored for 20 seconds before they decay
32
Q
- What is necessary to keep the information in the short-term memory?
What is this process called?
A
- we must repeat and practice this information
- this is known as Rehearsal or Maintenance Rehearsal
33
Q
- What is another term for Short Term Memory?
A
- Working Memory
34
Q
- What are the three components of Short Term Memory (Working Memory)?
A
- Central Executive
- Phonological Loop
- Visuo-Spatial Sketchpad
35
Q
- What is Central Executive?
A
- this resembles attention
36
Q
- What is the Phonological Loop?
A
- it holds the information in a speech-based form
37
Q
- What is the Visuo-Spatial Sketchpad?
A
- it is specialised for holding visual and spatial information
38
Q
- What is the function of Short Term Memory (Working Memory)?
A
- it is responsible for the Conscious Processing of information
- it is where information is actively worked on
39
Q
- What is the code for Short Term Memory?
A
- it is often based on sound or speech
- it even has visual inputs
40
Q
- What happens if maintenance rehearsal cannot be used?
A
- the memory decays quickly
41
Q
- What is one method to improve your Short Term Memory (Working Memory)?
A
- Chunking
42
Q
- What is Chunking?
A
- it is grouping small bits of information into larger units of information
- it expands the Working Memory Load
43
Q
- What happens to the information in the Short Term Memory (Working Memory) that is rehearsed?
A
- the information will enter the long-term memory
44
Q
- What can be said about the Capacity of the Long Term Memory?
A
- it has an unlimited capacity
45
Q
- What can be said about the Duration of the Long Term Memory?
A
- it has an unlimited duration
- some psychologists think it to be permanent
46
Q
- What percentage of information that reaches the Short-Term memory goes into the Long-Term memory?
A
- around 25%
47
Q
- What happens when we need to remember something from the long-term memory?
A
- we must retrieve it
- bring it back into the short-term memory
- this is where it can be outputted from
48
Q
- When can information be encoded into long term memory?
A
- after it passes from sensory information to working memory
49
Q
- What is the function of Long Term Memory?
A
- it organises and stores information
- it is a more passive form of storage than working memory
50
Q
- What is the Encoding process?
A
- it is the process that controls the movement from Short Term Memory (Working Memory)
TO
Long Term Memory Storage
(this is the process of getting the information in)
51
Q
- What is the process of Retrieval?
A
- the process that controls the flow of information from the Long Term memory
TO
the Short Term Memory (Working Memory)
(this is the process of getting information out)
52
Q
- What is the Primacy-Recency Effect?
(the Serial Position Effect)
A
- when presented with a lot of information in Serial
Order:
- we remember more from the beginning
and from the end of the list- this is at the expense of the Intermediate Items
53
Q
- Finish the sentence:
In general, meaning is ___________ rather than being
an exact representation
A
- encoded
54
Q
- What is the process of storing information into long-term memory known as?
A
- Consolidation
55
Q
- What does Consolidation involve?
A
- it involves a structural change
- the pattern of neural pathways are changed
- it requires Metabolic Activity for minutes/hours after the stimulus has been presented
56
Q
- What is Long Term Potentiation?
A
- it is the strengthening of synapses
- it is the cellular foundation for memory
57
Q
- Which condition is the introduction of Long Term Potentiation into treatment useful for?
A
- Dementia
58
Q
- Why is Short Term Memory (Working Memory) prone to interference?
A
- traces of information will only remain in Short Term memory (Working Memory) with repeated rehearsal
- the information has to be attended to
- this can be prone to interference
59
Q
- What are two types of Interference in Memory Recall (Working Memory)?
A
-Retroactive Interference
- Proactive Interference
60
Q
- What is Retroactive Interference?
Provide examples.
A
- the new information interferes with the retention of old information in the Short Term Memory
(Working Memory) - EG: trying to remember your old phone number after using a new phone for several months
- EG: finding it difficult to revert back to using manual gears after driving an automatic car for a prolonged period of time
61
Q
- What is Proactive Interference?
Provide examples.
A
- the old information interferes with the recall of new information
- EG: giving your old phone number to someone instead of your new one
- EG: attempting to change gears while driving your new automatic car