chapter 7: Memory Flashcards
Memory
memory is an active system that receives, stores, organizes, alters, and recovers information
memories can be fallible
Atkinson-Schiffrin proposed a three-stage model of memory
- Sensory Memory
- Short-Term Memory
- Long-Term Memory
These three systems work together
Sensory Memory
Can be thought of as the ‘first stage’ of memory, Information is first encoded into our sensory memory i.e. an exact copy of incoming information is stored for a few seconds or less.
Information here is only held very briefly, just long enough for it to be retrieved in order to be encoded next into short-term memory
Iconic memory
Visual sensory image that is stored for about half a second
Echoic memory
When information is heard, it is stored as echoic memory for up to 2 seconds
Short-Term Memory
Short-Term Memory (STM) stores small amounts of information, and relatively briefly too i.e. for about a dozen seconds or so
Our mind tries not to store everything, otherwise, you might remember a lot of junk information too!
Working Memory
Working Memory is part of STM, Working memory briefly holds the information we need when we are thinking and solving problems e.g. mental arithmetics
Long-Term Memory
Long-term memory (LTM): The memory system used for relatively longer storage of meaningful information
Information that is important or meaningful is retrieved from STM to be encoded to Long Term Memory
Ways to prolong a memory
- Maintenance Rehearsal: silently repeating in mind or mentally reviewing information to prolong its presence in STM
- Rote Rehearsal: the use of simple repetition to transfer information to LTM e.g. read slides 10 times to memorise (not very effective)
- Elaborative Processing: making memories more meaningful, by linking new information with existing memory or knowledge in LTM (much more effective)
Diagram that summarizes the different types of memory
