Basic principles of memory

Question 1

More items stored in short-term memory is linked to what?

Answer 1

Greater fluid intelligence

Question 2

What is fluid intelligence?

Answer 2

Ability to reason, consider + think flexibly.
Assists in resolving new problems.

Question 3

What is crystallised intelligence?

Answer 3

Accumulation of knowledge, facts + skills.
Assists in using previously acquired knowledge to solve problems more rapidly.
Also known as ‘wisdom’

Question 4

What are the steps of memory processes?

Answer 4

Encoding (Need attention + perception)
Storage (Mental representation)
Retrieval (Behaviour)

Question 5

Atkinson + Shiffrin proposed what model of memory?

Answer 5

Multi-modal memory

Question 6

What is multi-modal memory?

Answer 6

Suggests there are three unitary + separate memory stores.
Information is transferred between them linearly.
Sensory memory, short-term memory (working) and long-term memory.

Question 7

What are the two types of attention?

Answer 7

Sustained
Selective

Question 8

What is sustained attention?

Answer 8

The ability of focus on the stimulus over a period of time.

Question 9

What is selective attention?

Answer 9

The ability to focus on the stimulus, ignoring the rest of sensory input.
‘Cocktail party effect’

Question 10

What is salience?

Answer 10

Filtering out + focussing on the important information.

Question 11

What is sensory memory?

Answer 11

Creating a representation in our minds of a stimulus after it has disappeared, for a few milliseconds.
If important (salience), it gets stored.

Question 12

What are the stores for sensory memory?

Answer 12

Visual - Iconic - milliseconds
Auditory - Echoic - longer
Touch - Tactile - quite a bit longer

Question 13

In sensory memory, salience is needed for information to be stored. What happens if there is a delay in salience?

Answer 13

If delay is >1sec, recall drops to <50%.

Question 14

Answer 14

Question 15

Working memory has a capacity of what?

Answer 15

7 (+/- 2)

Question 16

Answer 16

Question 17

In the working memory model, what does phonological loop refer to?

Answer 17

Sounds + words.
Subdivided into phonological store (holds words we hear)+ articulatory process/loop (allows us to repeat words in a loop/add meaning).
Acts as a ‘tape recorder’.

Question 18

In the working memory model, what does the central executive do?

Answer 18

Drives the whole system + allocates data to phonological loop and visuospatial sketchpad.

Question 19

In the working memory model, what is the episodic buffer?

Answer 19

Able to reach into phonological loop and visuospatial sketchpad to bring them together. Also keeps them working effectively.

Question 20

What is the visuospatial sketchpad and where is it located??

Answer 20

Ability to temporarily hold visual and spatial information.
‘Mind’s eye’.
Across parietal and occipital lobes.

Question 21

Answer 21

Question 22

What is correlated with learning outcomes in literacy + numeracy, especially reading comprehension?

Answer 22

Working memory capacity

Question 23

What has been shown as a better predictor of academic success than IQ?

Answer 23

A child’s working memory at 5 years old.

Question 24

‘Memory problems aren’t always memory problems’. What is meant by this?

Answer 24

Problems encoding (Getting information in).
Problems with storage (Keeping information in).
Problems with retrieval (Getting information out).

Question 25

How do we build stronger memory circuits?

Answer 25

Practice (builds new neuronal connections)
Memorise by meaning
Concentrate on meaning of words
Use different multi-sensory techniques
Testing + hands on learning activities
Emotionally enhancing memories

Question 26

Who originated the multi-component model of working memory?

Answer 26

Baddeley