Chapter 8: Memory Flashcards
memory
faculty for recalling past events/learning
encoding
recording of perceptual sensory data and transferring to brain
storage
retention of information for later use, placing info in sensory/working/long-term memory
retrival
recapturing memories into consciousness when necessary, activates hippocampus and prefrontal cortex
information processing model
sensory memory –> working memory –> long-term memory
sensory memory
.5 secs visual, 2-4 secs auditory, involves brief image or sound
working memory
30 secs, 5-9 items, temporarily held for analysis, implicates prefrontal cortex
long-term memory
relatively permanent/unlimited
activates hippocampus
activates cerebellum for implicit memories
parallel distributed-processing model (connectionist model)
info is represented in the brain as a pattern of activation across entire neural networks
automatic processing
encoding of info w/ little conscious awareness/effort
effortful processing
encoding of info w/ careful attention+conscious effort
spacing effect
facilitated encoding of material through rehearsal situations spread out over time
rehearsal
conscious repetition of info to make sure it is encoded
phonological encoding
encoding using the sounds of things
visual code encoding
image of how things look
semantic code
cognitive representation of info/event based on the meaning of the info
mnemonic devices
techniques used to enhance meaningfulness of info to make it more memorable
schemas
knowledge bases that we develop based on prior exposure to similar experiences/other knowledge
storage
retention of info in working or long-term memory
capacity of mind
5 to 9 items at a time (Ebbinghaus, George Miller)
memory span
max number of items that can be recalled in the right order
chunking
grouping bits of info together to enhance ability to hold info (more info) in working memory
explicit memories
can be brought consciously to mind (hippocampus to neocortex)
semantic memory
general knowledge of the world
episodic memory
personal events/episodes from their life
implicit memories
not consciously aware of
includes procedural, classical conditioning, priming memory (striatum)
search process
to retrieve info we focus on a specific question than scan all memories
activation process
to retrieve info we activate relevant info which expands to all associated pieces of info
retrieval cues
stimuli that reminds of info to retrieve from memory
priming
activation of 1 piece of info which activates other so on to ultimate retrieve specific memory
recognition tasks
memory task where ppl answer whether or not they have seen the presented object before
recall tasks
memory taks which ppl must produce info w/o little or no retrieval cues
state-dependent memory
retrieval facilitated by being in the same state of mind where 1st encoded info
exciting or upsetting events tend to be retrieved easier than bland ones as there is more rehearsal, elaboration, organization
gordon bower
flashbulb memory
detailed, near-permeant memories of an emotionally significant event
forgetting
the inability to recall info previously encoded in memory
decay theory
memories often fade away on their own b/c neglect/disuse
cannot account for relearning being quicker than initial learning
interference theory
memory influenced by what happens to ppl before and after they take info in
proactive interference
competing info that is learned before the forgotten material prevents recall
retroactive interference
learning new info disrupts access to previously recalled info
motivated forgetting
forget unpleasant events
repression
process of unconsciously preventing traumatic events from entering our awareness so that we do not need to experience the anxiety or blows to self-concept
source misattribution
remembering info but not from the source it came from or remember things as true despite unreliable sources
misinformation
result in memory distortion or manufactured memories
effect of imagination
when ppl are repeatedly instructed to imagine a memory they can become real
neural networks
LTP can increase the chance that certain networks will respond strongly in the future enabling easier retrieval of some memories
proteins
ribonucleic acid +calcium in protein creation which help memories form
amnestic disorders
memory loss is the primary symptom
retorgrade amnesia
inability to remember things before an organic event
anterograde amnesia
ongoing inability to form new memories after an amnesia-inducing event
dementia
severe memory problems combine w/ losses in at least one other cognitive function
older women more likely than men, stroke increases risk
Alzheimer’s Disease
most common form of dementia
mild memory problems/lapses of attention –> problems completing tasks, remembering long-term memories
appears different in men, less testosterone means more beta-amyloid
neurofibrillary tangles
twisted protein fibres found within cells of hippocampus, etc
senile plaques
spherical deposits of beta-amyloid b/w cells in hippocampus, cerebral cortex, nearby blood vessels
Causes of Alzheimer’s
beta-amyloid and tau proteins take abnormal forms
imbalance in calcium metabolism
familial traits
dissociative disorders
psychological disorders characterized by major loss of memory w/o clear physical cause
dissociative amnesia
inability to recall important info, usually of an upsetting nature, while retaining implicit memory
dissociative fugue
loss of memory of personal identities /past life, flight to different location
dissociative identity disorder
development of sub personalities
causes: self-hypnosis, misinformation, state-dependent memory
sub personalities
each has a unique set of memories, behaviours, thoughts, emotions
hyperthymesia
enhanced memory, an ability that allows people to remember nearly every event of their life with great precision
