CH 5 Flashcards
What is Memory
Memory - the active processing system of encoding, storing, and retrieving information that has been previously encountered.
What is the Atkinson-Shiffrin Multistore Model of Memory
Atkinson-Shiffrin Multistore Model of Memory - model of memory which outlines the three separate stores of memory (sensory, short-term, and long-term) each of which interact through the processes of encoding, storage, and retrieval.
What is storage
Storage - the retention of information over time.
What is Retrieval
Retrieval - the process of accessing information, that has been stored in long-term memory,
What is encoding
Encoding - the process of converting information into a useable form which can be manipulated and stored in the brain.
What is sensory Memory? What is its capacity and duration?
Sensory memory - a store of memory which very briefly stores raw information detected by the senses.
- Duration – 0.2 – 4 seconds
- Capacity – Unlimited however most information is not attended to and is lost.
List 4 types of sensory memory
Types of Short-Term Memory
- Iconic Memory – Visual Memory
- Echoic Memory – Auditory Memory
- Haptic Memory – Physical Touch Memory
- Eidetic Memory – Visual Sensory Memory with an extended duration
What is short term Memory? What is its capacity and duration?
Short-term memory (STM) - a store of memory that temporarily stores a limited amount of information that is consciously being attended to and actively manipulated.
- Duration – 18-30 seconds
- Capacity – 5-9 items
What is long term Memory? What is its capacity and duration?
Long-term memory (LTM) - a store of memory in which a potentially unlimited amount of information is stored for a relatively permanent amount of time.
- Duration – Relatively Permanent
- Capacity – Potentially Unlimited
Strengths of the Atkinson-Shiffrin Multistore Model of Memory
- The model distinguishes between the different stores involved in memory.
- The model outlines that each memory store has a different capacity and duration.
- The model provides a good understanding of the structure and process of memory.
- Findings from memory studies support the distinction between STM and LTM outlined in the model.
- The model can help explain why amnesia patients may have difficulty retrieving memories from LTM or encoding information from STM to LTM.
Limitations of the Atkinson-Shiffrin Multistore Model of Memory
- The Atkinson-Shiffrin multi-store model of memory is thought to be oversimplified.
- STM is more complex than the model suggests.
- Baddeley and Hitch (1974) propose that STM is not just a singular store but rather includes different components within it.
- The model ignores factors, such as motivation and strategy, which can facilitate learning and assist in encoding information from STM to LTM.
- Initially, the model proposed that rehearsal was necessary for information to be transferred into LTM. However, studies show that transferring information into LTM can occur without rehearsal.
- The model does not account for individual differences in memory processes, storage duration, and capacity.
What is explicit memory/declarative memory
Explicit Memory (Declarative Memory) - type of long-term memory that is formed and retrieved intentionally and with conscious effort. They are memories that involving ‘Knowing That’ - e.g., facts etc.
What is sematic memory
- Sematic Memory – type of explicit memory that consists of general knowledge or facts e.g., Academic Knowledge and Facts
What is episodic memory
- Episodic Memory – type of explicit memory that consists of personal experiences or events e.g., Autobiographical Events/Personal
What is implicit memory
Implicit Memory - type of long-term memory that is formed and retrieved without conscious effort.
What is procedural memory
- Procedural Memory – type of implicit memory that involves knowing how to carry out tasks that are facilitated by motor skills.
What is classical conditioned memory
- Classical Conditioned Memory – type of implicit memory that involves an involuntary response, such as fear, to a stimulus which has repeatedly been associated with an emotionally-arousing stimulus.
What is the Hippocampus (in relation to memory)
Hippocampus (in relation to memory) – A brain structure that is primarily involved in encoding explicit memories.
What does damage to the hippocampus lead to?
Damage to the hippocampus -> Causes people to experience -> difficulty forming new explicit memories (Can lead to Alzimers)
What is the Amygdala (in relation to memory) and what aids it?
Amygdala (in relation to memory) – A brain structure that is primarily involved in encoding the emotional components of memories and retrieving explicit memories.
- Involves explicit memories specifically those that are emotion driven and the emotional components of classically condiditioned implicit memories.
- Adrenalin aids in the formation and strength of emotional memories
What is the Neocortex (in relation to memory)
What is the Neocortex (in relation to memory) – A brain structure that stores explicit memories.
- Stores episodic and semantic memories once they are encoded and transferred from the hippocampus.
- Responsible for attention, thoguht, and perception which all influence memory and is heavily linked to processing and recognition of auditory stimuli
- Consists of six layers and is part of the cerebral cortex
What is the Basal Ganglia (in relation to memory)
Basal Ganglia (in relation to memory) – A brain structure that is involved in encoding and storing procedural memories and those that are associated with unconscious habits and behaviours.
- Responsible for encoding and storage of motor and implict memories.
- Associated with habit-forming, linking and stimuli and response learning.
- Supported by dopamine in the formation of these memories.
What is the Cerebellum (in relation to memory)
Cerebellum (in relation to memory) - A brain structure that encodes and stores implicit procedural memories.
- The brain structure is responsible for balance, movement, co-ordination and motor skills.
- Increased evidence for its role in the working memory which is controlled by the pre-frontal cortex.
What are the 5 main brain structures involved in memory?
Basal ganglia, Neocortex, Amygdala, Hippocampus, Cerebellum
What are the interactions between the brain structures involved in memory
- The amygdala detects and experience that is emotionally arousing.
- It signals to the hippocampus to strengthen the encoding of explicit memories that have implict emotional components.
- The hippocampus encodes the explicit memories.
- The Neocortex stores the explict memories.
What is Autobiographical Events
Autobiographical Events - personally lived experiences.
What types of memory is involved in retrieval of autobiographical events.
Episodic and Semantic Memory
What is possible imagined futures?
Possible Imagined Futures - hypothetical experiences and situations that an individual can create and conceptualize in their mind.
What is neurodegenerative diseases?
Neurodegenerative Diseases – diseases characterised by the progressive loss of neurons in the brain.
What is Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s Disease - neurodegenerative disease that involves the progressive loss of neurons in the brain and is characterised by memory decline and personality change.
List at least 3 symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease
Symptoms:
- decrease in cognitive functions, such as the ability to plan, problem-solve, and think logically.
- personality change.
- changes in mood and emotion.
- frequently becoming confused or disoriented.
- difficulty with language and communication.
How is Alzheimer’s diagnosed? And define.
Diagnosis:
- A conclusive diagnosis can only happen in a post-mortem examination however it can be diagnosed through brain imaging and cognitive tests etc.
o Post-Mortem Examination - an assessment of a dead body that occurs to determine the cause of death.
List 4 effects of Alzheimer’s on the brain
- Amyloid Plaques
- Neurofibrillary Tangles
- Cortical Shrinkage – Loss of neurons and their connections
- Imbalance in Acetylcholine (Neurotransmitter involved with memory)
Define Lesion and list and define the main ones involved in Alzheimer’s
Lesion - an area of tissue that has been damaged due to disease or injury.
- Amyloid Plaques - fragments of the protein beta-amyloid that accumulate into insoluble plaques that inhibit communication between neurons. (Protein Deposits)
o Prevents memories from forming.
- Neurofibrillary Tangles - an accumulation of the protein tau that forms insoluble tangles within neurons, which then inhibit the transportation of essential substances and eventually kill the neuron entirely.
What does brain imaging allow researchers to see?
Allows researchers to see tumours, cortical shrinkage, lesions, inactivty etc.
How do lesions show up on brain imaging
Lesions show up as dark spots on brain imaging scans
List three types of Brain imaging.
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) – Imaging technique that measures structure.
- fMRI (Functional Resonance Imaging) – Imaging technique that measures structure and function.
- PET (Positron Emission Technology) – Imaging technique that measures function.
Alzheimer’s Effects on Memory
Effects on Memory:
- It is characterised by a loss of episodic memory in early stages, but as it progresses, the impact on semantic memory is seen as well.
o As Damage can be associated with the hippocampus -> Leads to difficulty to remember episodic and semantic components of personally experienced events.
o This means that paitents lack the ability to draw on their explict memories to create and plan out possible imagined futures.
- Implicit memories remain largely intact allowing for patients to be able to carry out tasks such as playing the piano despite the loss of explicit memories.
Define Aphantasia
Aphantasia - phenomenon in which individuals lack the capacity to generate mental imagery.
- Can be born with it or acquire it later in life.
- No cause for the phenomenon
Define Mental Imagery and explain it.
Mental Imagery - the visual representations and experiences of sensory information without the presence of sensory stimuli
- Individuals use sensory information that has been organised in short-term memory and then transferred to long-term memory to recreate perceptual experiences.
- This sensory information can be stored in both our semantic and episodic memories.
- This is initiated by our visual cortex, allowing brain imaging to be used to diagnose aphantasia.
Effects of Aphantasia on episodic and semantic memory
- Individuals struggle to retrieve and record autobiographical events (episodic memories) and construct possible imagined futures.
- Individuals are still able to apply non-visual components of autobiographical memories to future events, however their lack of mental imagery makes this process more difficult and less vivid than those without the condition.
Define Mnemonics
Mnemonics - devices or techniques used to aid the encoding, storage, and retrieval of information.
List 2 findings of studies on Aphantasia
fMRI has been used to study the structural and functional differences in those with Aphantasia.
- Only 1-3% of the population has Aphantasia.
- People with Aphantasia typically have a higher IQ.
- Aphantasia links to Autism and impairments in imagination and social skills.
How does Mnemonics Help Memory?
How do Mnemonics Help Memory?
- Involves Manipulation of Short-term Memory.
o Organises information into a cohesive whole.
- Helps with the encoding of information in a more useful and useable way.
o Information is more cohesive improving the initial encoding of information.
- Involves linking to your long-term memory.
o Aids storage in long-term memory as they create links to strengthen the storage of information.
o These connections help create strong retrieval pathways which improves the likelihood for the information to be retrieved.
List three things to remember about mnemonics.
Things to Note:
- Mnemonics do not decrease the amount of information to be stored.
- Mnemonics require the individual to spend time learning and rehearsing it for it to work.
- Mnemonics can fail if it is interpreted incorrectly or if the mnemonic is unable to be retrieved.
Define written traditions
Written Traditions - practices in which knowledge, stories, and customs are preserved and shared through writing and reading.
List the types of written tradition mnemonics
Acronym, Acrostic, and Method of Loci/Memory Palace
Define oral traditions
Oral Traditions - practices in which knowledge, stories, and customs are preserved and shared through spoken word and movement.
List types of oral tradition mnemonics
Sung Narratives and Songlines
What is an Acronym
- Acronym - mnemonic device in which the first letters of items form a pronounceable word to aid memory.
o The first letter of the word acts as a retrieval cue to help bring the targeted information into short-term memory for use.
o They link information to words or sounds we already know aiding encoding and storage.
o Acronyms are pronounced as whole words (Such as BODMAS) whilst abbreviations are pronounced as individual letters (Such as AFL)
What is an Acrostic
- Acrostic - mnemonic device in which the first letters of items create a phrase, rhyme, or poem to aid memory.
o The first letter of the word acts as a retrieval cue to help bring the targeted information into short-term memory for use.
o They link information to familiar phrases or sentences we already know aiding encoding and storage.
o E.g., Never Eat Soggy Weet-bix (North, East, South, West)
Define the Method of Loci/Memory Palace
- Method of Loci/Memory Palace - mnemonic device that converts items into mental images and associates them with specific locations to aid memory.
List the Steps of the Method of Loci
Individuals need to:
1. Visualise and imagine a familiar route or place.
2. Select several memorable places (landmarks) on the route or in their chosen place.
3. Create visual imagery for each item that needs to be remembered. Creating bizarre or funny mental imagery can help strengthen the likelihood of the item being remembered.
4. Link each item to one of the identified memorable landmarks.
5. Imagine they are walking along the familiar route or in the place and retrieve each item by observing the items at each landmark.
List two strengths of the method of loci
- Powerful technique as order and sequence is built into the memory aid.
- It can also be further developed over time by adding more rooms etc.
What is Sung Narratives?
- Sung Narratives - stories that share important cultural, ecological, and survival information through the use of singing, harmony, and rhythm.
- Stories told through songs.
Factors that determine how Sung Narratives are communicated?
- Factors that determine how Sung Narratives are communicated:
o Who sings and to whom?
o What is sung?
o When it is communicated
o Where it is communicated
What is Songlines?
Songlines - multimodal performances conducted as a family or community traveling through Country and spaces in the landscape that record journeys, link important sites, and describe ways to live, care for, and nurture Country.
- Connection between songs and performances conducted to the physical paths travelled.
- Similar to Method of Loci but incorporated song and dance to aid memory
