Chapter 7: Human Memory Flashcards
True or false, our deepest sense of self relies on our memories
True
What is memory? What does it do to essential info?
Allows us to acquire, store, and retrieve essential info
Where are memories stored in the brain?
The hippocampus
What part of the brain is referred to as the “loading dock” of memories?
The hippocampus
What happens when there is an increase in hippocampus activity?
There’s an increase in retrieval
Memory depends on encoding.. What are the three types of encoding?
Semantic– what it means to you
Acoustic– simply listening
Visual– seeing knowledge
Memory depends on encoding storing, and recalling. What are the differences between recalling, retrieving, and recognition?
Recalling– to locate info and bring it to consciousness
Retrieval– recalling with little assistance
Recognition– Retrieval is aided by cues
What type of recalling style do multiple choice tests use?
Recognition
Retrieval is aided by cues
What are the three types of memory?
Episodic– memory for a specific event eg. what you had for lunch
Semantic– general, non-specific eg “I know that..”
Proceduaral– remembering how to do something eg. tying a shoe
What is the difference between an explicit memory and an implicit memory?
Explicit– conscious effort to remember something. used on exams
Implicit– remembering something w/o conscious retrieval effort. (tying shoes)
Explain the levels or processing model of memory
most important determinant of memory is how info is processed when it is received
The more you think about something, the more solid the memory is
maintenance rehearsal and elaborative rehearsal
Explain the difference between maintenance rehearsal and elaborative rehearsal (pertains to levels of processing model of memory)
Maintenance rehearsal– repeating things over and over till
Elaborative rehearsal– studying for a little bit every day, over a longer period of time
Explain the information processing model of memory
Sensory memory, then short-term, then long-term
sensory lasts a few seconds, short term lasts a few mins, long term lasts forever
Explain “chunking” information
We can remember up to 7 things at once, we chunk information so we can remember more
True or false, long term memory is prone to distortion
True
What are the two types of retrieval cues that help us retrieve stored information?
Context dependent– if you recall where you learned info
State dependent– If you were drunk while learning, you’ll recall it better if you are drunk
True or false, Deja-vu is a function of reduced cues
True
Why do we forget? Give 3 reasons
1– Decay: we forget over time
2– Interferance: old and new information interfere with eachother
3– repression: we’d rather forget something
What are the two types of Interferance of memory?
Retroactive– new information interferes with old information
Proactive– old information interferes with old information
What are the two types of amnesia related to repression of memories?
Psychogenic amnesia– something embarrassing we prefer to forget
Traumatic amnesia– controversial. Forgetting because of trauma
What are iatrogenic disorders?
Disorders that develop as a result of treatment
What does attention have to do with memory?
You have to pay attention to something if you intend to remember it
Does attention “filter” early or late?
Both!
True or false, the location of our attention filter depends on the cognitive load of current information processing
True
True or false, complicated, high-load tasks that consume much of our attentional capacity, selection tends to occur early (attention)
true
What is structural encoding?
shallow encoding, what something looks like
remembering physical structure
What is the levels-of-processing theory?
deeper levels of processing result in longer-lasting memory codes
What type of encoding leads to deeper processing?
Semantic encoding
True or false, semantic encoding can often be enhanced through elaboration
True
What is elaboration?
linking a stimulus to other information at the time of encoding
eg. applying something you’re reading to your life
making associations
Explain Paivio’s Dual-Encoding Theory
memory is enhanced by forming semantic and visual codes, since either can lead to recall.
eg. juggler-dress OR truth-think
Is attention inherently selective?
Yes
What is self-referent encoding?
process that involves deciding how or whether information is personally relevant
think: Remembering bus stops that you use, or where your friends get on
What is sensory memory?
Information preserved in it’s original sensory form for a brief time, usually only a few seconds
eg. letting a sound linger for a few seconds after it’s happened
How long does short-term memory last, what is it?
About 20 seconds, the ability to store un-rehearsed information
How can you make short-term memory last longer?
rehearsal
What is the difference between maintenance rehearsal and elaborative rehearsal?
Maintenance– remembering a list of words
Elaborative– focusing on the meaning of the list of words
What two things contribute to loss of information from short-term memory?
Decay and interference
What does Miller mean when he refers to “The Magical Number Seven?”
People can only remember up to 7 items of unfamiliar material
What does Cowen think about “The Magical Number Seven?”
He thinks it’s actually ~4, new research is leading to this as well
Today, do we lean more towards “The magical 7” or 4 plus or minus one theory of STM storage? Why?
4, because old studies didn’t do much to protect people from chunking information
How can you increase the capacity of your STM?
combining stimuli into larger units– think: Chunking information
What does Baddeley mean by the term “working memory?”
a limited storage system that temporarily stores info by providing an interface between perception, memory, and action
What are the four components of Baddely’s “working memory” theory?
1– Phonological loop: repeating/rehearsal
2– Visuospatial Sketchpad: temp. holds images, allows you to manipulate
3– Central Executive: controls attention
4– Episodic Buffer: integrates info and works between working mem and long term mem
What is working memory capacity?
one’s ability to hold and manipulate information in conscious attention
True or false, working memory capacity is a stable trait that appears to be influenced by heredity
True
True or false, working memory capacity can be influenced to a considerable degree by situational factors such as worry or pressure
True
True or false, working memory capacity plays a fundamental role in complex cognitive processes and intelligence
True