Chapter 7: LTM Mechanisms Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the long term memory mechanisms (4)

A

Encoding- getting information into LTM
Retrieval - getting information out of LTM
Consolidation- establishing memories
Reconsolidating - dynamic nature of LTM

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2
Q

What is encoding

A

the process by which information is entered into the LTM

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3
Q

What is maintenance Rehearsal? What LTM mechanism is it part of

A

repeating a concept over and over again

ENCODING

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4
Q

What is Elaborative Rehearsal? Which LTM mechanism is it part of?

A

-finding meaningful association between concepts
- results in better long term retention
ENCODING

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5
Q

What is the Baker/Baker Paradox

A

Meet Mr. Baker vs This person in a baker

- it is easier to remember baker as a profession rather than a name

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6
Q

What is the levels of processing theory and what are they

A

the idea that the way information is encoded affects how well it is remembered. The deeper the level of processing, the easier the information is to recall.

  • memory depends on depth of processing
    1. Shallow processing
    2. Deep processing
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7
Q

What is shallow processing

A
  • little attention to meaning (Mr. Baker)
  • repeating a number or definition over and over again
  • physical features
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8
Q

What is Deep processing

A
  • close attention to meaning (he is a baker )
  • relating to existing knowledge
  • results in better retention
  • rhyming
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9
Q

What are the advantages of the Levels of Processing Theory (LoP). (2)

A
  • Deeper vs shallow processing: emphasizes the role of content in memory processes
  • does not strictly distinguish STM and LTM functions.: you dont have to rehearse a compliment to get it into LTM
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10
Q

What are the limitations of the Levels of Processing Theory (LoP) (3)

A
  • some information is stored better at the non-semantic level (eg. tune of a song vs lyrics) words are more deeply processed
  • circularity in defining the deeper level: information is stored better if it is deeply processed. It is deeply processed because it is stored better (eg. songs)
  • Level of processing may not be as important as matching encoding and retrieval conditions
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11
Q

What is the self-reference effect

A

memory is better for information related to ourselves

  • when words are related to self, it is represented more richly (deeper) in the person’s mind.
    example: compliments, insults, names of objects we posses
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12
Q

What is the self-schema

A
  • organized system of information about ourselves, our experiences, preferences etc.
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13
Q

What is the generation effect

A

memory is better for information we generate ourselves

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14
Q

What is an example of the generation effect

A
1. Read word pairs 
King:crown
Horse:saddle
Lamp:shade
OR 2. Generate words pairs 
King: cr
Horse:sa
Lamp:sh
results
- ps who generated the words had 28% better memory for the word-pairs than p's who only read it.
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15
Q

How is organizing information involved in encoding

A

when information is organized it is easier to remember

- recalling one item from a category cues other

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16
Q

what is the testing effect

A
  • enhanced performance due to the retrieval practice is called the testing effect
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17
Q

What is retrieval practice

A

the best way to study is to learn only those things you dont know but test yourself on everything

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18
Q

What is the best way to get information into the LTM

A
  • by testing memory
  • memory retrieval
  • re-testing improves learning more than relearning
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19
Q

what are retrieval cues? Do they create a deeper level of processing

A

cues that work are unique to the individual

  • association with pre-existing knowledge, reasoning process, preferences
  • creates a deeper processing of information
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20
Q

Retrieval is best when conditions of retrieval _______ conditions of _________.

A

matches

encoding

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21
Q

What are the three principles of retrieval

A

encoding specificity
state-dependent learning
transfer-appropriate processing

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22
Q

Self generated cues results in ________% recall of target words

A

91%

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23
Q

What is encoding specificity

A

Encoding context is stored along with the information

- example: remembering childhood memories when you visit school

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24
Q

Studying in conditions similar to exam rooms, that are quiet with no distractions is beneficial for remembering

A

yes

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25
Q

What is state-dependent learning

A

learning associated with a particular internal state—-mood, state of awareness
- Memory is better when mood during retrieval matches mood during encoding

26
Q

What is transfer appropriate processing

A

matching the cognitive task

  • better performance when the type of processing at encoding and retrieval match
  • depends on the type of processing used`
27
Q

What would the levels of processing theory predict about matching encoding to retrieval

A

LOP would predict meaning based encoding should always result in better memory

28
Q

Essay type exams test what

A
  • organized chunks of information

types of LTM

29
Q

How much information can the brain store

A

inifnite

30
Q

Why does the brain have unlimited capacity (3)

A
  1. enormous number of connections present in the brain (over 10 trillion)
  2. overlapping pathways store different information
  3. it changes in response to new information
31
Q

What is the Semanticization of Episodic memories

A

some memory is lost over time (decay)

32
Q

Describe how memory is volatile immediately after formation (2)

A
  1. can be affected by interference (proactive vs retroactive)
  2. can be affected by other factors such as dementia, TBI, age related
33
Q

What is Ribots law

A

Memory is lost (due to brain injury) last in first out, first in last out

34
Q

What is retrograde amnesia

A

the inability to remember old information (past)

35
Q

What is Anterograde Amnesia

A
  • inability to store and retrieve new information
36
Q

What is memory consolidation

A

The process which transform new memories from fragile state to permanent state

37
Q

Early memories depend on what area of the brain

A

hippocampus

38
Q

What is an example of regions which process a kind of information also holds memories

A

Auditory areas hold the tune of a song

39
Q

What are the two components of consolidation

A

Synaptic Consolidation

System Consolidation

40
Q

What is synaptic consolidation

A

structural changes at the synapse

- short lived ( min to hours)

41
Q

What is systems consolidation

A

reorganization of neural circuits in the brain

- long lived ( days to years)

42
Q

Do synaptic and system consolidation work together or independently

A

together

43
Q

What happens during synaptic consolidation

A

Repeated activation at synapses results in structural changes that strengthen the connection between the pre- and post-synaptic neurons

44
Q

What is long term potentiation

A

There is enhanced firing after repeated stimulation

45
Q

Long term potentiation leads to

A

new protein synthesis
more Neurotransmitters
more dendrites

46
Q

Memories are stored by changes in _____________

A

Memories are stored by changes in strength of connection between neurons

47
Q

What are the two views system consolidation has on the hippocampus

A
  1. May be important in early stages of memory but not after consolidation (hippocampus communicates with cortical areas to consolidate memories)
  2. Hippocampus remains active even after consolidation (higher activation for episodic vs semantic memories)
48
Q

The Hippocampus has higher activation for episodic or semantic memories

A

episodic

49
Q

_____ is vital for memory consolidation

A

sleep

50
Q

Why is sleep vital for memory consolidation

A

consolidation is a deliberate process

Memory consolidation in sleep depends on what information is considered important to remember

51
Q

What is the old vs the new view on consolidation

A

old: consolidation transforms memory to a robust state where it cannot be disrupted
new: retrieved memories have to be re-stored as new memories (memory reconsolidating)

52
Q

What is reconsolidation

A

Process of updating existing memories after retrieval

53
Q

What is Anisomycin involved in and wha does it do

A

inhibits protein synthesis and memory formation

-( protein synthesis is required for synaptic memory consolidation )

54
Q

memory has to be re-stored in LTM each time it is retrieved (T or F)

A

True

55
Q

Anisomycin affects memory when

A

during retrieval or new memory learning

56
Q

The Anisomycin injection shows that about memory

A

memory enters a volatile state after retrieval before being re-stored again

57
Q

Why would memory become fragile after retrieval?

A

so new information can be incorporated into it

58
Q

What are the implications of reconsolidation?

A

If memories can be made volatile, we can intervene to reduce the effect of negative memories—post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

59
Q

What is PTSD and what can cause it

A

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by symptoms of arousal, anxiety, and depression in response to a major traumatic event

  • combat
  • disasters and accidents
  • sexual assault
  • violence
60
Q

How do we treat PTSD

A

Confront memories the person is trying to avoid in a safe and supportive environment
Detailed recollection of events and memories
Over time, arousal, anxiety, and distress reduces

61
Q

What injection can be used during PTSD treatment

A

Propranolol

  • Propranolol blocks the stress response in amygdala, and reduced the emotional reaction associated with the trauma
  • Memories are retrieved and re-stored with less emotional valence