Chapter 7 - Understanding Memory Flashcards
What are the 3 processes of memory?
encoding, storing, and retrieving
What is memory?
Involves taking something we have observed and converting it into a form we can store, retrieve, and apply everyday
Encoding
When we put an idea into the brain it is put into an electrochemical signal
Storing
keeping info in the brain so we can use it later. The info is stored in an organised way to make it easier to recover memories when needed.
Retrieving
getting memories back so we can them relies on the right cues so we get to the correct location of the brain.
The Multi-store Model of Memory
Describes three stores of memory:
- Sensory
- Short-term
- Long-term
Sensory Memory
The first stage of memory. It is a store for incoming sensory information. (touch, hearing, vision)
Specifics of sensory memory
- Has unlimited capacity but short duration
- Holds info for a fraction of a second to several seconds
- It has not yet entered our awareness
- There is rapid decay of sensory memory, but it allows us to hear sounds long enough to understand the words
ECHOIC MEMORY
(memory for hearing) duration can be up to 4 seconds. When someone talks, your echoic memory retains each individual syllable. Your brain recognizes words by connecting each syllable to the previous.
ICHONIC MEMORY
(memory for vision) Duration can be up to 1 second. Visual sensory memory, it explains why we can see moving pictures form a series of still shots projected into the movie screen. Therefore, movies run at 24 frames per second
Sperling’s Study of Iconic Memory concludes?
Iconic memory has a duration of approx. one-20th of a second.
Short-term memory
Short term memory allows us to retain info long enough to use it
Info moves to long term -> short term memory to evaluate and understand info we are working on
Short term memory is limited to 5-9 things
Duration and capacity of short-term memory
Lasts 12-30 seconds
Retained from use of maintenance rehearsal, this increases chances of this info moving to long-term memory
Long-term memory
Info is stored differently from sensory & short-term memory it is stored in semantic networks – it is encoded by its meaning
Types of Long-term memory
Procedural & Declarative
Procedural memory
KNOWING HOW TO DO (implicit)
Action, skills, operations & conditioned responses
Very resistant to forgetting
Declarative memory
KNOWING WHAT TO DO
(explicit)
Semantic memory; for facts or general knowledge
Episodic memory; memories of episodes or experiences in your life
Implicit memory
unconscious. It doesn’t require deliberate recall.
Includes procedural memory, motor learning and classical conditioning (amygdala & hippocampus)
Explicit memory
conscious retrieval of memory, includes recall and recognition.
Includes declarative memory. (hippocampus)
Key Brain Areas for Long-term Memory
Cerebral cortex
Amygdala
Cerebellum
Hippocampus
Cerebral Cortex function LTM
Formation and storage of implicit and explicit memories
Amygdala function LTM
adds to emotional content to declarative memories
Cerebellum function LTM
Stores procedural memories of learnt motor skills that require muscle coordination
Hippocampus function LTM
Integrates info from number of brain areas to form a single declarative memory
Function of Photographic Memory
The ability to form, and later recall, sharp, detailed visual images of a picture or notes from a page after examining them for only a short period of time.
Potential advantages of Photographic Memory
- It may take less time and energy to perform daily activities
- It would be very useful when studying, memorizing information
- Likely to have better academic performance
Potential disadvantages of Photographic Memory
- Pressure from people expecting to never make mistakes with memory
- Difficulty forgetting painful memories
Where Are Memories Stored?
Motor cortex Frontal lobe Prefrontal cortex Temporal lobe Amygdala Hippocampus Cerebellum
Working Memory
Working with the information we are aware of at any given time.
Baddeley and Hitch’s model of working memory suggests?
4 seperate but interdependent aspects of working memory.
The 4 interdependent aspects of working memory?
Central Executive
Phonological loop
Visuospatial Sketch Pad
Episodic buffer
Central Executive function
puts the sound and vision together and controls attention so it is possible to mentally manipulate data
Phonological loop function
auditory working memory (storage for what we hear & allows us to understand a sentence)
Visuospatial Sketch Pad function
visual working memory
Episodic buffer function
retrieves info form LTM to associate with info that is working in memory, and to select and encode info to LTM
Strengths of the working memory model?
Accounts ability to store & actively process info simultaneously - Explains the ability to multitask - Supports empirical research 1. Tracking task + letter imagery task 2. Tracking + verbal task (2) Proved less difficult,
Limitations of the working memory model?
- Central executive most important part, but which we know the least about
- Cannot specify precise functioning of central executive
- does not give us a clear idea of which part of the model is normally involved in a task
Craik and Lockhart’s Level of Processing model of memory concludes?
that memories grow stronger the more they are elaborated & used, and memories are stronger if they are linked to what we care about
Strengths of LOP Theory?
good contribution of understanding processes that take place during learning
Provides explanation of antegrade Amnesia
Limitations of LOP Theory?
Only aids in research
Circular definition
Issues with defining deep processing
Describes rather than explains
Circular reasoning function
type of informal fallacy in which a conclusion is reached as it is not materially different from something that was assumed as a premise of the argument. i.e. People love Bec -> because she is popular
Capacity of STM
Between 5 - 9
Capacity of LTM
Between
STM can not be?
Increased
7.2 Sperling’s Test
associates with STM
2 focus’ of Memory
Duration and Capacity
Sensory Memory
Very Large Capacity
iconic + echoic
