CH5 The Psychobiological Process of Memory Flashcards
1
Q
Memory
A
Defined as the processing, storage and retrieval of information acquired through learning.
2
Q
Sensory memory
A store in the Atkinson–Shiffrin Multi-Store Model of Memory
A
- Capacity is unlimited; duration for iconic (0.3-05s), for echoic (3-4s)
- Consciously unaware of information
- Receives sensory information from the environment
-
Enables perceptual continuity (i.e. constant awareness) for the world around us.
- Does this by storing sensory impressions long enough for each impression to slightly overlap the next.
3
Q
STM (or working memory)
A store in the Atkinson–Shiffrin Multi-Store Model of Memory
A
- Capacity is 7±2 items; duration is 12-30s
- Receives encoded version of information from sensory memory
- Transfers information to and from LTM through rehearsal
- Maintains information in conscious awareness for immediate use
- When full, old items are pushed out to accomodate new items
4
Q
LTM
A store in the Atkinson–Shiffrin Multi-Store Model of Memory
A
- Stores information for re-access and use at a later time.
- Explicit and implicit memory
5
Q
Storage
A
- Is the retention of the encoded information over time
- Allows for information to be held for an extended period of time
6
Q
Retrieval
A
- Is the recovery of stored information into conscious awareness
- From LTM to STM
7
Q
Encoding
A
- Making information meaningful
- Only occurs in STM and LTM
8
Q
Capacity
A
- In relation to memory, the amount of information that can be retained at any given moment
9
Q
Duration
A
- In relation to memory, the length of time that information that can be retained
10
Q
Ways to manipulate capacity and duration of STM
A
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Chunking
- Grouping of separate bits of information into one or more larger units.
- Increases capacity of STM. -
Maintenance rehearsal
- Repeating new info over and over again
- Increases duration of STM
- Inneffective transfer of info to LTM. -
Elaborative rehearsal
- Linking info to info already stored in LTM
- Encodes new information
- More effective form of transfer to LTM.
11
Q
Echoic memory
A
- Form of sensory memory
- Relates to auditory sensory information
- Capacity: unlimited
- Duration: 3-4s
12
Q
Iconic memory
A
- Form of sensory memory
- Relates to visual sensory information
- Capacity: unlimited
- Duration: 0.3-0.5s
13
Q
Implicit memory
A
- LTM held without conscious awareness
- Does not require intentional/conscious retrieval
(I)mplicit = (I)dk
14
Q
Explicit memory
A
- LTM held with conscious awareness
- Requires intentional/conscious retrieval
15
Q
Classically conditioned memory
A
- Form of implicit memory
- Consists of learnt emotional reactions that occur in response to a stimulus or an event you have formed an association with.
- E.g. being fearful of a large dog running towards you.
16
Q
Procedural memory
A
- Form of implicit memory
- Consists of skills, habits or actions
- Tasks that are facilitated by motor skills.
- E.g. biting nails when anxious, riding your bike.
17
Q
Semantic memory
A
- Form of explicit memory
- Consists of general knowledge or facts (i.e. knowing that…)
18
Q
Episodic memory
A
- Form of explicit memory
- Consists of personal experiences or events
- Unique to each individual
- Enables mental time travel like imagined futures and reliving the past
19
Q
Autobiographical memory
A
- Consists of experiences recollected from an individual’s life
- Uses reconstruction to combine episodic and semantic memory to form a more coherent, complete or accurate memory
20
Q
Alzheimer’s Disease
A
- Is a neurodegenerative disorder characterised by the gradual widespread degeneration of brain neurons progressively causing memory decline, deterioration of cognitive and social skills, and personality changes.
- Disrupts STM first then progresses into hippocampal damage
- Primarily affects LT explicit memory, therefore patients cannot access autobiographical memories
21
Q
Causes of Alzheimer’s
A
- Begins in the hippocampus (hippocampal damage)
- Amyloid plaque build-up between the synapses of neurons
- Neurofibrillary tangles when protein builds up inside the neuron and are associated with cell death
- Brain atrophy when Amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles progressively damage and kill neurons
22
Q
Aphantasia
A
- Is the inability to visualise imagery
- Those affected may have issues with autobiographical memory, imagined futures, semantic memory, remembering faces
- No known causes
23
Q
Mnemonics
A
- Any technique used for improving or enhancing memory. It can:
- Add information to organise information in LTM, making it easier to locate and retrieve
- Works best for remembering information that needs to be memorised but is not necessarily understood.
24
Q
Written cultures
A
- Cultures in which stories and information are shared and preserved through the processes of reading and writing.
25
Q
Acrostic
A
- Is a written culture mnemonic technique
- Making verbal associations for items by constructing sentences using the first letters of the information to be remembered.
- Each letter of each word in the sentence acts as a retrieval cue
Every Good Boy Deserves Fruit
26
Q
Acronym
A
- Is a written culture mnemonic technique
- Are pronounceable words formed from the first letters of a group of words
- Each letter acts a retrieval cue for the first letter of each word to be recalled.
BODMAS
27
Q
Method of loci
A
- Is a written culture mnemonic technique
- Items are converted into mental images and associated with specific locations
- Each location acts as a retrieval cue
- Location should be familiar
- First step is determining what locations one is most familiar to
28
Q
Oral cultures
A
- Cultures that involve people who communicated vital information and spread stories via word of mouth.
29
Q
Song lines
A
- Is an oral culture mnemonic technique
- Is a navigational route comprising a sequence of locations. Links information with a physical location.
- In addition, at each location, a story, song, dance or ceremony is performed that is associated with that particular location.
30
Q
How song lines differ from the method of loci
A
- Each location is used for a complex story so use larger locations
- They are designed for permanent memory
- Made by communities for communal use, rather than being made by individuals
31
Q
The role of the hippocampus in LTM
A
- Located in the medial temporal lobe
- Encodes and consolidates explicit memory
32
Q
The role of the amygdala in LTM
A
- Located in the medial temporal lobe
- Strengthens encoding by consolidating emotional component of explicit memories
- Involved in formation of implicit, classically-conditioned fear responses; (involuntary, flight-fight-freeze)
The amygdala’s primary role lies in implicit memory rather than in explicit, despite its involvement in consolidation
33
Q
The role of the neocortex in LTM
A
- Located in the cerebral cortex
- Long-term storage
- Involved in retrieval
34
Q
The role of the basal ganglia in LTM
A
- Located in the cerebral cortex
- Encodes and stores procedural memories involving voluntary motor movements.
- Plans movement to enable fluidity.
- Involved in habituation.
35
Q
Habituation
A
- Is a non-associative process
- Involves becoming accustomed to a stimulus due to repeated exposure to it.
36
Q
The role of the cerebellum in LTM
A
- Located at the base of the brain
- Encodes and stores implicit, procedural memories. Enables coordination of movement.
- Stores simple classically-conditioned responses like blinking in response to CS
