3.3 Flashcards
What are memories?
Memories include experiences which have happened in the past, thoughts had in the past and knowledge which has been previously gained.
Example: Remembering a childhood birthday party.
What happens to information in the sensory memory?
The sensory memory retains all the visual and auditory input received, but only for a few seconds. Only some images and sounds are encoded into the short term memory.
Example: Seeing a flash of light before it disappears.
Where does information go after entering short term memory?
Information is then passed to the long term memory OR it is discarded.
Example: Repeating a phone number in your head to remember it later.
What are the characteristics of Short Term Memory?
Limited capacity
Holds information for a short period of time
Can process information as well as store it
Items can ‘decay’ or be ‘displaced’ (pushed out by another item)
This is called the working memory model.
How does chunking improve short term memory?
By grouping items together to make a single item.
Example: Phone numbers: 01419552393 can be chunked as 0141 955 2393.
What does the serial position effect influence?
Groups of items entering the STM.
The serial position effect influences groups of items entering the STM.
Which items in a group are better recalled?
The items that come first (primacy) and last (recency).
Those items in the group that come first (primacy) and last (recency) are better recalled than the intermediate items.
How can items be transferred to long-term memory?
By rehearsal, organisation, and elaboration.
Transfer of items to the long-term memory can be brought about by: - Rehearsal - repeating information frequently - Organisation - putting information into categories and sub-categories - Elaboration - building more detail into the information
What is retrieval?
The recall of information when required.
Retrieval is the recall of information when required
What is encoding?
Information to be added to memory has to be
encoded.
• Encoding is where nerve signals are converted
into a form that can be interpreted by the
brain.
Explain the two different types of encoding ?
Shallow encoding uses methods like rehearsal
• Deep encoding uses methods like elaboratio
What is a contextual cue ?
• A contextual cue is used to help get
information from the brain
• It will help to “jog the memory”
• Photographs or significant objects can bring
memories back
• Often used by police or psychiatrists
