4: STM & WM Flashcards
What is short term memory? What is the capacity and duration without rehearsal?
the capacity for holding a limited amount of info in mind for a limited period of time, in a readily available state
- +/-7 items
- 20-30 sec
What is rehearsal?
repeating verbal information to keep it active in STM (or aid transfer to LTM)
What is decay?
forgetting due to loss of info over time
What is interference?
forgetting due to interference from other material in memory
What is proactive interference and how to overcome it?
interference from previously learned material
by making items distinct from one another
What is retroactive interference?
interference from subsequently (newly) learned material
What is memory span?
number of correct items people can immediately recall from a sequence of items
What is capacity of STM affected by?
chunking
phonological similar words
word length
What is a memory search demo?
Remember a series of digits presented one at a time
test if a digit was part of the memory set
How do we search our STM?
Serial, exhaustive search process - All items in STM are scanned, then checked with the probe once
location doesnt affect search speed, same response times for positive and negative responses
How does degraded stimuli affect encoding and scanning?
Longer reaction time needed for encoding and scanning
What is working memory?
the use of STM as a temporary store for information needed to accomplish a particular task
What are the components of Baddeley’s WM?
visuo-spatial sketchpad: visual/spatial info
phonological loop: acoustic info
central executive: manages the use of working memory, selects strategies and integrating info
episodic buffer: integrates the visual and phonological information
What shows the existence of baddeley’s wm?
when interfere with each component, that component is affected and that other isnt
- eg Articulatory suppression
What is the cognitive load theory?
learning process optimal when WM resources are not overwhelmed
