Chapter 7: Memory

Question 1

What is memory?

Answer 1

The ability of the nervous system to retain and retrieve skills and knowledge

Memory makes it possible to record and store information form experiences for later use

Question 2

What are the 3 phases in information processing for memory?

Answer 2

Encoding

Storage

Retrieval

Question 3

When does coding take place?

Answer 3

Learning

Question 4

Into what does the brain convert information into?

Answer 4

Neural code

Question 5

What is storage for memory?

Answer 5

The preservation of the undecided representation

Question 6

What is consolidation?

Answer 6

Neural connections that support memory become stronger and new synapses are formed, which is known as consolidation

Question 7

What is retrieval?

Answer 7

Reaching into the memory store to find and recall a previously encoded and stored memory when needed

Question 8

What is reconsolidation?

Answer 8

As soon as the memories are activated, they are reconsolidated to be stored in the memory again

Question 9

When does reconsolidation happen?

Answer 9

Happens every time a memory is activated and placed back in the memory

Therefore, memories of events can change over time

Question 10

What does Hebb propose about memory?

Answer 10

Proposed that memory is the result of changes in the synaptic connections

When one neuron excites another, changes take place that strengthen the connection between the two neurons

‘Cells that fire tighter wire together’

Question 11

What is long term potentiation (LTP)?

Answer 11

A process central to the neural basis of memory consolidation

LTP is the strengthening of a synaptic connection, making postsynaptic neurons easier to activate

Question 12

A requirement for LTP is the NMDA receptor on the postsynaptic neuron. What is the NMDA?

Answer 12

NMDA is a glutamate receptor that only responds when there is a large amount of glutamate available in the synapse

Question 13

Epigenetic mechanisms, such as HDAC, are important for memory. What are HDAC?

Answer 13

HDAC is a group of enzymes that inhibit gene expression

Blocking HDAC can lead to increased memory

HDAC functions as an interruption to the memory

This interruption temporarily disappears when something important happens in the environment

Question 14

What is the term engram?

Answer 14

Refers to the physical place of storage in memory

However we now know there is no storage palce

Question 15

What did Lashley find?

Answer 15

Found that memory is distributed throughout the brain, an idea known as equipotential

Question 16

What did we learn about the brain and memory from HM?

Answer 16

We now know that regions within the temporal lobes, such as the hippocampus, are important for the ability to store new memories

Question 17

What is the sensory memory?

Answer 17

Is a temporary memory system related to the sensory systems

Question 18

How long does sensory memory last?

Answer 18

Only lasts a fraction of a second before that information is converted into neural impulses

Question 19

What is another name for visual sensory memory?

Answer 19

Ionic memory

Question 20

What is another name for auditory sensory memory?

Answer 20

Echo memory

Question 21

How is information transferred from sensory memory to short term memory?

Answer 21

When attention is focused on something

Question 22

What is short term memory?

Answer 22

An active processing unit that deals with different types of information

Question 23

What is another name for short term memory?

Answer 23

Working memory

Question 24

How long does information remain in working memory?

Answer 24

20 to 30 seconds

Question 25

How can information stay longer in the working memory?

Answer 25

By repeating it continuously

Question 26

How much information can the working memory usually remember?

Answer 26

7 units

Question 27

What is a way to remember more in the working memory?

Answer 27

By chunking

Question 28

Where is information permanently stored?

Answer 28

Long term memory

Question 29

What are the two separate effects of the serial position effect?

Answer 29

The primacy effect The recency effect

Question 30

What is the primacy effect?

Answer 30

Releases to the improved recall of objects at the beginning of a list These objects are rehearsed the most and therefore end up in long term memory

Question 31

What is the recency effect?

Answer 31

Relates to the improved recall of objects at the end of the list

Question 32

What are the various ways that memory can get into the long term memory?

Answer 32

Through repetition Relevant information about the environment will be transferred to long term memory

Question 33

Into what are perceptual experiences converted into?

Answer 33

Mental representations in the brain

Question 34

According to the levels of the processing model, what happens when an item is deeply encoded?

Answer 34

The deeper an item is coded, the more meaning it has and the better it is remembered

Question 35

What are the different types of repetition that lead to different forms of encoding?

Answer 35

Maintenance rehearsal Extended rehearsal

Question 36

Maintenance rehearsal

Answer 36

The repetition of the object

Question 37

Extended rehearsal

Answer 37

The meaningful encoding of information This can be done by linking it to knowledge form long term memory

Question 38

What are schemas?

Answer 38

Long term memory structures that help to perceive, organise, process and use information Schemas direct attention to relevant features Schemas can be influenced by culture and may therefore be biased

Question 39

What is a retrieval cue?

Answer 39

Anything that helps a person to call a memory can be seen as a retrieval cue

Question 40

What does the principle of encoding specificity say about retrieval cues?

Answer 40

Any stimulus encoded together with an experience can later evoke a memory of this experience

Question 41

What does context dependent memory describe?

Answer 41

Describes a memory that is recalled when the recall situation is similar to the endowing situation This type of memory can be based on a certain location, smell and music

Question 42

When does state dependent memory occur?

Answer 42

When the memory is reinforced by the eternal state of a person

Question 43

What is a prospective memory?

Answer 43

A memory of doing something in the future This type of memory is easily forgotten, so retrieval cues can be useful

Question 44

What are the 2 categories of memory?

Answer 44

Implicit memory Explicit memory

Question 45

Implicit memory

Answer 45

The unconscious memory

Question 46

Explicit memory

Answer 46

Includes processes that people use to consciously remember information

Question 47

Cognitive information retrieved from explicit memory is called declarative memory, what is it?

Answer 47

Mean that people can consciously think about the memory

Question 48

Explicit memory can also be divided into episodic memory and semantic memory. What is episodic memory?

Answer 48

Includes personal experiences

Question 49

What do semantic memory include?

Answer 49

Knowledge of facts independent of personal experiences