Ch. 6 - Memory Flashcards
What is memory?
the ability to store and receive info over time
What are the 3 key functions of memory?
- encoding - transforming perceptions into memories
- storage - maintaining info over time
- retrieval - bringing to mind info that has been encoded and stored
What area the 3 types of encoding processes?
- semantic encoding - assigning meaning from knowledge that is already stored in memory
- visual imagery encoding - storing info by converting it into mental pictures
- organizational encoding - categorization of info according to the relationships among a series of items
Which part of the brain does semantic encoding activate?
increased activity in the lower left part of the frontal lobe and inner part of left temporal lobe
Which part of the brain does visual imagery encoding activate?
activates visual processing regions in the occipital lobe
Which part of the brain does organizational encoding activate?
activates upper surface of the left frontal lobe
How does the evolutionary perspective view memory?
believe memory mechanisms hat help us survive and reproduce should be preserved by natural selection. also scenarios that involve planning which are critical for long term survival
What are the 3 major kinds of storage? How are they distinguished?
- sensory - holds sensory info for a few seconds or less
- short-term - holds nonsensory info for more than a few seconds but less than a minute
- long-term - holds info for hours, days, weeks, or years
they are distinguished mainly by the amount of time a memory’s retained
What is iconic memory and echoic memory and how long do the memories last?
Iconic memory is a fast-decaying store of visual info (decay in 1 sec or less)
echoic memory is a fast-decaying store of auditory info (decay in about 5 sec)
What is rehearsal?
What is rehearsal?
The process of keeping info in short term memory by mentally repeating it (each time you repeat you reenter the info for another 15-20 secs)
What is the serial position effect? How does it relate to rehearsal?
the observation that the first few and last few items in a series are more likely to be recalled than the items in the middle. the first few items are repeated the most and therefore remembered most called primary effect
What are the limits of short-term memory?
How long and much it can hold (around 7 meaningful items at once)
What is chunking?
combining small pieces of info into larger clusters of chunks that are more easily held in short-term memory (ex. servers who use organizational encoding are essentially chunking)
