Chapter 1 and 2 Flashcards
Why do humans often claim to have a “terrible memory”?
People notice memory failures more readily than successes and may use this as an excuse for forgetting unimportant details
What evidence suggests memory is not a single system?
Different types of memory, such as Clive Wearing’s preserved musical memory despite amnesia, show that memory involves multiple systems
What is the purpose of psychological theories of memory?
To provide structured “maps” that summarize knowledge, suggest new questions, and aid understanding
What does “reductionism” mean in the context of memory studies?
It is the idea that higher-level phenomena, like psychology, should be explained by lower levels, such as biology or physics
How did Hermann Ebbinghaus contribute to memory research?
He systematically studied memory using nonsense syllables and developed the “forgetting curve”
What is the “modal model” of memory?
A framework proposed by Atkinson and Shiffrin, describing memory as involving sensory, short-term, and long-term stores
How is sensory memory different from short-term memory?
Sensory memory stores brief sensory impressions (e.g., iconic and echoic memory), while short-term memory holds small amounts of material over a short time
What is “iconic memory”?
A type of sensory memory that briefly retains visual information, such as the afterimage of a sparkler trail
What did Sperling’s experiments reveal about sensory memory?
They showed that sensory memory has a large capacity but decays rapidly, as evidenced by his partial-report technique
How do episodic and semantic memory differ?
Episodic memory involves specific events and experiences, while semantic memory stores general knowledge about the world
What are the main goals of neuropsychological approaches to memory?
To understand how brain damage impacts memory and identify brain areas crucial for memory processes
How do PET and fMRI studies contribute to memory research?
They allow scientists to observe brain activity and identify regions involved in different types of memory tasks
Which brain regions are most associated with memory?
The hippocampus, amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and cerebellum are key areas for memory encoding, retrieval, and storage
What role does the hippocampus play in memory?
It is critical for forming and retrieving episodic memories and is often affected in amnesic conditions
How does damage to the amygdala affect memory?
It impairs emotional memories, which are often more vivid and longer-lasting than neutral ones
What is the cellular basis of memory?
Memory relies on changes at the cellular level, such as synaptic plasticity and long-term potentiation (LTP), which strengthen neural connections
How do genetic approaches inform memory research?
They identify genes that influence memory abilities and susceptibility to memory-related disorders
What does “working memory” refer to in neuropsychology?
A system that temporarily holds and manipulates information for complex tasks, such as reasoning and decision-making
What have lesion studies revealed about memory?
Specific brain lesions, such as damage to the hippocampus, can lead to severe memory impairments like amnesia
How does the prefrontal cortex contribute to memory?
It plays a role in working memory, attention, and the organization of complex tasks requiring memory
It plays a role in working memory, attention, and the organization of complex tasks requiring memory
