Atkinson Shiffrin

Question 1

Chunking

Answer 1

A strategy that can be used to influence short-term memory capacity where information is divided into ‘chunks’. These individual chunks are considered as one item.

Question 2

Capacity

Answer 2

The amount of information that can be stored.

Question 3

Echoic memory

Answer 3

A type of sensory memory in which auditory information is temporarily stored. Echoic memories are typically stored in our sensory memory for a slightly longer period than iconic memories because we need to register information in its entirety before we can make it meaningful; hence the delayed reaction. We may appear not to hear a question, but as we focus, we realise we can actually make sense of what was said and are able to give an answer. This occurs because the sound is ‘held’ long enough in echoic memory. If we then consciously attempt to remember the question, the information is moved to short-term memory. If not, it is lost.

Question 4

Duration

Answer 4

The amount of time that information can be stored for.

Question 5

Long term memory

Answer 5

The final store of memory according to the Atkinson-Shriffin Model in which an unlimited amount of information is stored for an unlimited amount of time. In long-term memory, information is encoded by its meaning (that is, semantically) and stored in semantic networks.

Question 6

Iconic memory

Answer 6

A type of sensory memory in which visual information is temporarily stored. An iconic memory with unlimited duration is known as eidetic memory. Iconic memory lasts for about 0.3 seconds. This explains why we can see moving pictures from a series of still shots projected onto a movie screen. We are still storing the image of one still shot when it is replaced by the next frame, so the illusion of movement is created.

Question 7

Sensory memory

Answer 7

The first store of memory according to the Atkinson-Shiffrin model in which sensory information gained by our senses such as sight, hearing and touch that is paid attention to is processed to be stored very briefly in short term memory. STM acts as a type of working memory. Things that are being paid attention to at a given point in time.

Question 8

Short term memory

Answer 8

This is the second store of memory according to the Atkinson-Shiffrin model, which is in our conscious awareness and that holds information curently being attended to. This store of memory holds onto information temporarily and has a limited capacity. We routinely draw information from the long-term memory to the short-term memory to evaluate and understand information that we are working on at a given moment; for example, reading comprehension questions or mental arithmetic.

Question 9

Encoding

Answer 9

The process of converting sensory information into a useable form for storage in LTM.

Question 10

Storage

Answer 10

The retention of information over time for future use.

Question 11

Retrieval

Answer 11

The process of bringing back from its stored location into consciousness (for explicit memories) or for a response of action (for implicit memories.)

Question 12

Memory

Answer 12

Memory is an active processing system that encodes, stores and recovers information when required. Memories pass through many different stores to be consolidated. They are not an exact replica of the world at the time they are recovered for use.

Question 13

Maintenance rehearsal

Answer 13

Simple rote repetition of information to help retain it in short term memory e.g. repeating times tables.

Question 14

Semantic network theory

Answer 14

When our memories are stored in long term memory, they are arranged according to their relationship with pre-existing memories. They are organised in an interconnected grid of concepts (nodes) and meaningful links, that are inter-related. Nodes are organised hierarchically.
• The shorter the link the stronger the memory
• The more links to a memory the stronger it is

Question 15

Capacity and duration of the different types of memory

Answer 15

Sensory Capacity: Unlimited Duration: .2-4 secs

Echoic Capacity: Unlimited Duration: 3-4 secs

Iconic Capacity: Unlimited Duration: 0.2-.4 secs

Short term Capacity: 7+-2 items. Duration: 18-30 secs

Long term Capacity: Unlimited Duration: Relatively permanent

Question 16

Types of long term memory

Answer 16

Procedural KNOWING HOW
Declarative KNOWING THAT
Semantic ACADEMIC KNOWLEDGE/FACTS
Episodic AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL EVENTS/PERSONAL

Question 17

Why is iconic memory so short

Answer 17

If it lasted longer there would be an overlap of images resulting in an unclear single image.

Question 18

Why is echoing memory longer

Answer 18

So that an entire word or sentence can be processed and made sense of.

Question 19

Elaborative rehearsal

Answer 19

adding meaning to information or linking it to information already stored in long term memory. Helps information to be encoded into long term memory
e.g. making an acronym or story from words to be remembered

Question 20

Node

Answer 20

A group of concepts in the semantic network theory.

Question 21

Process of memory through the model

Answer 21

The model describes memory as a flow of information with inputs, processes and outputs. Environmental input, or information from our surroundings, enters through our sensory memory, also called our sensory register.

The short-term memory then processes and stores this input. In our short-term memory, information is rehearsed and can then be stored more permanently in our long-term memory to retrieve later on.

The short-term memory retrieves information from the long-term memory to output information such as when we reminisce with friends, remember formulas for an exam or recall someone’s name.

Question 22

Functions of sensory memory

Answer 22

Its duration is very brief, but long enough for our brain to determine whether it is important enough to be transferred to our short-term memory. Our senses are bombarded with information every second of our normal waking consciousness. It is impossible for us to pay attention to all of this information, so our sensory registers act like filters for what is relevant to what we are doing or thinking at any given moment. FILTER

The brief duration (rapid decay) of sensory memory is necessary. Otherwise, we would be unable to process new incoming information.
The rapid decay also allows us to perceive our world as smooth and ongoing, and to hear sounds just long enough to understand whole words and sentences. SMOOTH

Question 23

Capacity of long term memory (can long term memories be forgotten)

Answer 23

It is generally considered that ‘forgetting’ long-term memories is due to poor retrieval cues rather than capacity limitations.