Chapter 17- Learning and memory Flashcards
Learning
Acquiring new information, behavioral patterns or abilities based on practice, study, or experience. Information, skills, memory
Memory
How we recall and retain information based on:
- Learning/encoding information
- Retaining information over time
- Retrieving (reactivating) information
How are learning and memory related?
Need to learn something first, then you can remember it later. Learning must be stored in the brain and be able to be retrieved.
Types of long term memory (2)
- Declarative
2. Nondeclarative
Declarative memory
This is what we usually think of when we think of memory, it includes facts and information acquired through learning. This is the type of memory we use to answer “what” questions, like the memory of a story or word list.
Nondeclarative memory
Procedural memory, or memory about perceptual or motor procedures. It is shown by performance rather than conscious recollection. It’s the type of memory we use for “how” problems and is often but not always nonverbal. This is the correct term for “muscle memory”- muscle memory isn’t accurate because the memory is stored in your brain, not your muscles
Sensory buffers
Sensory buffers are the briefest memories we hold. An example is the fleeting impression of a glimpsed scene that vanishes from memory moments later.
Short term memories
Short term memories are more durable than sensory buffers. However, STMs are more vulnerable than LTMs. Asking someone what they did this morning would be an example of STM, but asking them what they did this morning a month from now would be LTM- most of this memory would be forgotten.
Working memory
Working memory occurs when we mentally manipulate and process information in STM. If you look up a phone number and keep it in mind just long enough to make a call, this is working memory. In the absence of rehearsal, working memory only lasts about 30 seconds. The capacity of working memory is limited, we can only keep about 7 pieces of information in working memory at a time.
Intermediate term memory
Longer than STM, but not considered LTM. You might remember what you had for lunch yesterday, but probably not what you had for lunch a week ago.
Long term memory
Enduring and near permanent memories, like your favorite toy as a child. This is not a perfect record, only tend to recall important events used to shape future behavior. The strength of LTM is based on emotion- we tend to remember more emotional events. We have “unlimited” LTM capacity.
Encoding
A stage of memory formation in which the information entering sensory channels is passed into short term memory. Processed in the hippocampus and stored in the cortex.
Consolidation
A stage of memory formation in which information in short term or intermediate term memory is transferred to long term memory. Stored in the cortex.
Stages of memory (3)
- Encoding
- Consolidation
- Retrieval
Retrieval
LTM are returned to STM to be used. Information does not go back to hippocampus. Retrieval from LTM makes memories plastic and amenable to updating before they undergo reconsolidation and become stable again. However, this is the reason why people can remember things that never happened- each time the memory is activated, it is subject to changes.
