Chapter 3 Flashcards
What is the primary function of STM?
Temporary storage of small amounts of information over brief delays.
Define working memory (WM).
A system that temporarily stores and manipulates information for complex tasks like reasoning, learning, and comprehension.
How do STM and WM differ?
STM focuses on storage, while WM includes manipulation of information.
What is memory span?
The longest sequence of items that can be recalled in the correct order without error.
Who introduced the digit span task?
John Jacobs in 1887.
What is the capacity of STM according to Miller (1956)?
7 ± 2 items.
What helps improve memory span?
Chunking, grouping items into meaningful units.
What is the phonological loop?
A subsystem in WM that processes verbal and auditory information.
Name the two components of the phonological loop.
Phonological Store and Articulatory Rehearsal Process.
What is the phonological similarity effect?
Similar-sounding items are harder to recall accurately.
What is the word length effect?
Recall decreases as the length of words increases due to rehearsal limits.
Define articulatory suppression.
The disruption of verbal STM when speaking during encoding.
What is the feature model of STM?
Proposes a single memory system where forgetting is due to interference.
What is free recall?
The ability to recall items in any order after a list is presented.
What is the recency effect?
Better recall of the last items in a list due to STM.
What is the capacity of visual STM?
Around 4 items.
Name a task that measures spatial STM.
Corsi block-tapping task.
How does spatial STM differ from visual STM?
Spatial STM focuses on locations, while visual STM handles visual features like color or shape
What is a key neuropsychological finding about STM deficits?
Patients with STM deficits can still perform complex tasks, indicating distinct systems for STM and WM.
What is the dual-task method?
A technique where STM is taxed by requiring simultaneous task performance.
What does the digit span task measure?
Verbal STM capacity.
What evidence supports separate storage systems in STM?
Studies showing dissociation between verbal and visuo-spatial STM.
What is chunking?
Grouping individual items into larger, meaningful units to enhance STM capacity.
