Chapter 7: memory Flashcards
Multimodal model of memory
Sensory information is held for a few milliseconds in the sensory memory, and then transferred to the short-term memory. The short-term memory can only hold a few items for a limited time (maximum of half a minute). By rehearsing the information in the short-term memory, it can be passed on to the long-term memory. At a later time, the information can be retrieved from the long-term memory.
(This model assumes that serial processing takes place.)
Working memory model (Baddeley and Hitch)
This model is based on 2 things:
1. Information is kept active and processed for a relatively short time when attention is consciously directed to it.
2. Working memory consist of several components:
- Central executive: control and coordinates attention.
- Phonological loop: auditory information and lip or sing-language.
- Visuospatial sketchpad: visual and spatial information.
- Episodic buffer: long-term memory.
Capacity of the working memory
People can hold 5-7 things in their working memory. But with chunking, this can be bigger.
Standard theory of long-term memory
Long term memory is divided into 2 types of memory:
1. Semantic: factual knowledge, we don’t remember where we learned it.
2. Episodic: personal memories, in which we can remember the context.
Elaboration
Consciously forming as many associations as possible with what needs to be remembered. This is the best way to remember things.
Encoding specifity principle
Memories are linked to the context in which they are created. This states that it’s easier to recall information when you are in the same context in which you memorized or studied it.
Interference theory
The more similar new information is to information we already have stored, the more likely interference is to occur.
Decay hypothesis
Memories decay (get worse) over time if they are not recalled regularly.
Procedural memory
The memory of sequences of actions (like going to a restaurant). This type of memory can be impaired in people with Parkinsons.
Autobiographical memory
A combination of memories of personal events, and general knowledge about the self and one’s own life history.
Childhood amnesia
People lack memories from before the age of 4.
Reminiscence bump
A large number of memories from the period of adolescence and early adulthood.
Ribot’s gradient
More recent memories are the first one’s to dissapear.
Future thinking
The ability to imagine a future situation and experience it in the same way as one would a previous experience. People with amnesia have a great difficulty to imagine a future situation.
Prospective memory
Recalling to perform an intended activity at the right moment or under the right circumstances, like taking your medicine before dinner of wishing your friend a happy birthday.
Long-term potentiation
Repeated electrical stimulation of axonal connections increases the effectiveness of connections. The hippocampus is essential in learning and the neurotransmitter glutamate plays a crucial role in long-term potential.
Concept cells
Cells in the thalamus that respond to broad conceptual categories such as faces, animals or fruits.
Familiarity cells
Cells that recognise if the stimulus is familiar or new.
Memory storage
The memories are stored in the cortex, while the processing or binding of the memories happens in the hippocampus.
Retrograde amnesia
Impaired autobiographical memory from before the onset of the amnesia or brain damage.
Anterograde amnesia
Impaired autobiographical memory from after the onset of the amnesia/ the brain damage.
(Procedural and semantic memory are rarely affected by amnesia).
Transient global amnesia
Anterograde amnesia occurs suddenly and lasts less than 24 hours, without any other neurological symptoms.
Functional amnesia
Memory impairments that occur in association with psychological or psychiatric disorders.
Fugues
Gaps in autobiographical memory after long-term experience of stress.
