6. Memory Flashcards
What is memory
It is learning that we retain over a long period of time the actual definition is “an information processing system that works constructively to encode, store and retrieve info.”
what’s are the three key memory processes
Encoding - storage - retrieval
Why may one forget something
If they fail any of the 3 of the key memory processes
What are the three major stages of memory
Sensory memory
Short term memory or working memory
Long term memory
How do the three stages/types of memory differ for each other
Capacity- how much info can be stored in each
Duration- how long info can be stored in each
Function- what is done with the info stored in each
What is sensory input
Everything we see hear taste and smell
What happens after sensory input takes place
Encoding, changing what we sensed into a format out brain can interpret
All sensory input/ input that is encoded goes to our
Sensory memory or sensory storage, info stays there for only two seconds unless given attention
What is the function of sensory memory/ store
It holds info long enough to be processed for basic physical characteristics like smelling cake and identifying that its cake
What is the capacity and duration of sensory memory?
Capacity? Large, can hold many items at once
Duration? Very short/ brief ( milli seconds or seconds)
- iconic memory (visual info): 250 ms
- echoing memory (auditory info): 3s
Again what goes into and is encoded into our sensory memory?
Sensory input
Sensory input —> sensory memory
To form sensory memory attention or interpretation is ___ needed
Not
It is ONLY needed to transfer to info to actual working memory when being used again
There is a separate register of memory for each sense in the sensory memory/store stage, they are
Iconic memory- eye (visual)
Echoing memory- ear (auditory)
Tactile memory- touch
Olfactory memory- smell
Gustatory memory- taste
Images take take form of nerve impulses at ____ memory
Sensory memory
What is the separate register of memory for the sense of seeing
Iconic memory
What is the separate register of memory for the sense of hearing
Echoing memory
What is the separate register of memory for the sense of touch
Tactile memory
What is the separate register of memory for the sense of smelling
Olfactory memory
What is the separate register of memory for the sense of tasting
Gustatory memory
Considering the information in sensory memory is given much attention it will then go to your
Short term memory
In order to keep info in our short term memory we must
Repeat and practice it and this is known as rehearsal/ maintenance rehearsal
What’s another term for short term memory STM used nowadays-
Working memory
What are the three components of STM
- central executive: this is basically attention
- Phonological loop: holds info given in a speech-based form
- Visuo-spatial sketchpad: holds visual and spatial information
Explain Function capacity and duration of STM or working memory
Function: conscious processing of info meaning its where info is actively worked on/ “maintenance rehearsal”
Capacity- limited (holds 7 +/- 2 items at a time)
Duration- brief storage (20 seconds)
If maintenance rehearsal is not used, memory in STM decays quickly
STM is often based on sound or speech even with visual inputs
What is the petersons STM task
It’s a test used for memory. Using 3 letter nonsense syllables that participants must remember after counting backwards for a few seconds then recalling.
Without rehearsal the memory of these letters fades because without rehearsal things leave our STM
Ways to improve STM
“Chunking”
This is when you group small buts of info into larger units of info, therefore the capacity decreases in a way
For example: you remember the numbers 4 8 3 7 9 2 5 1 6 in the form of 483 792 and 516 (chunking into groups of 3)
Once rehearsed the info enters/ is encoded into your Long term memory LTM
note that rehearsal is different than maintenance rehearsal, maintenance rehearsal is to keep info in the STM, rehearsal is enough rehearsal to move it to the LTM
Explain LTM capacity and duration
Capacity: Unlimited
Duration: unlimited
What is the percentage of info in the STM that reaches the LTM
25%
In order to remember smth from our LTM we must retrieve it and bring it back to our
STM (the working station) where it is can be outputted
Summarize the movement of memory in the three stages
Info is sensory inputted into our sensory memory/store, this has a large capacity however short duration of remembrance. Info sits there unless given much attention where it is moved to the STM (longer duration than the sensory memory however a smaller capacity of only 7 +/- 2). In order to stay here maintenance rehearsal is done, however once enough rehearsal is done, info is encoded/moved to the LTM. This stage has unlimited capacity and duration of info however in order to output that input it must retrieve it from the LTM then go back into the STM where it is outputted.
Function of LTM
Organisms and stores info (more passive form of storage than working memory/ STM)
When asked what encoding vs retrieval is
Encoding: Process that controls movement from STM memory to LTM storage (getting info in)
‘
Retrieval: process that controls flow of info from LTM to the STM (getting info out)
What is primacy- the recency effect
It explains that When presented lots of info in serial order, we tend to remember more from the beginning and end of the list at the expense of the intermediate terms
Think of encoding as a calendar (basic form of memory)
When something is encoded it is not exactly represented. You’ll remember u received a letter from your friend regarding a party this weekend but you wont remember the exact wording of that letter.
When we use encoding to store info into the LTM this is known as
Consolidation
- involves structural change: when using encoding to store memory in the LTM, the pattern of neural pathways are changed
The strengthening of synapses takes placed this is called long term potentiation and is the cellular foundation for memory
Research I done on consolidation (how to induce the LTM) is useful in ____ treatment
Dementia
The receptor found in research to see how greater memory storage/ LTP is known as
NMDA, a ionotropic glutamate receptor
Consolidation required metabolic activity for ___/____ after the stimulus has been presented
Minuted/hours
Info in the STM/ WM are prone to ____
Interference because it needs maintenance/ repeated rehearsal to stay there
What are the two types of interference that happen in STM
- retroactive interference
New info interferes with old info
For example ur trying to remember ur new phone number but ur old number gets in the way or finding it hard to go back to manual driving because the habits of just learning automatic driving get in the way - proactive interference
Old info interferes with the recall of new info
For example: mistakingly giving your old phone number instead of your new one or attempting to change gears manually (u drive manual ur whole life) in a newly bought automatic car
Retrieval of info in ur LTM requires
Cue: prompt, reminder, question (otherwise we would be thinking about everything in our LTM at all times)
A good filling system: mnemonics (making something personally relevant to you and ur more likely to remember it
We know the info in out STM can be affected by interference but so can the info when undergoing Retrieval in the LTM both proactively and retroactively
List the four factors affecting retrieval
Interference
Levels of processing: the more smth is elaborated/ giving attention during encoding the easier it will be to retrieve (repetition is important in memory)
Organization: organizing different concepts in memory
Context: being in the same place or emotional state Asia’s the time of encoding facilitates recall. (State dependent memory)
List the types of long term memory
Episodic memory (autobiographical)
Semantic memory
Declarative
Procedural
Prospective
Types of memory:
Sensory memory
STM
Working memory
Long term memory
- Episodic memory (autobiographical)
- Semantic memory
- Declarative
- Procedural
- Prospective
What is episodic LTM
It stores every event/fact that you have been involved in. If you haven’t been involved in it will not be stored as autobiographical memory. The other interesting feature of episodic or autobiographical memory is that we are designed to be preferentially more likely to remember that information.
Think episode of ur life, uve been involved so u remember
Brain damage leads to one losing their ____ memory the most
Episodic
What is semantic memory
Memory of facts about the world. This is a pc, this a desk
this is a chair, London is the capital of UK is London etc..
What is declarative memory
is memory of facts and events, and refers to those memories that can be consciously recalled (or “declared”). It is sometimes called explicit memory, since it consists of information that is explicitly stored and retrieved.
What is procedural memory
Memory for procedures, driving a car, tying a shoe lace
What is prospective memory
Memory for the things u will do in the future/ have planned. Buying milk after leaving work, putting gas in ur car on ur way home tonight.
