Chapter 8: Memory

Question 1

In explicit memory tests, recognition is usually better than recall. What is the difference between recognition and recall?

Answer 1

Recognize: able to identify something previously encountered

Recall: able to reproduce previous information independently

Question 2

There are 3 main memory models:

-INFORMATION PROCESSING
-3 BOX MODEL
-PARALLEL DISTRIBUTED PROCESSING / CONNECTIONIST
Describe the information processing model

Answer 2

Involves the INPUT, OUTPUT, ACCESSING, and memory retrieval

Question 3

There are 3 main memory models:

-INFORMATION PROCESSING
-3 BOX MODEL
-PARALLEL DISTRIBUTED PROCESSING / CONNECTIONIST
Describe the 3 box model

Answer 3

Proposes 3 interacting systems:
1) Sensory register
-limited info, important sent to:
2) Working memory
-reviews/rehearses info, moves some to:
3) Long-term memory

Question 4

There are 3 main memory models:

-INFORMATION PROCESSING
-3 BOX MODEL
-PARALLEL DISTRIBUTED PROCESSING / CONNECTIONIST
Describe the connectionist model

Answer 4

Represents knowledge as connections among numerous interacting processing units in a vast network, similar to neurons in the brain

Question 5

Sensory registers are memory stores that hold perceptual info for a short amount of time. Iconic and echoic are 2 different types of sensory memory. What do they refer to?

Answer 5

Iconic: VISUAL form of sensory memory (lasts ~1 sec)

Echoic: AUDITORY form of sensory memory (lasts ~5-10 sec)

Question 6

People were asked to recall a series of letters which briefly flashed in front of them. They were then asked to do it again with an added step, which improved performance when recalling the letters. What was added for the 2nd time?

Answer 6

One of 3 tones would play while the letters flashed, which helped participants to remember better

Question 7

What is the magic number of short term/working memory?

Answer 7

7 (+/- 2)

Question 8

What is chunking?

Answer 8

Bringing smaller units of information into larger, more meaningful units

Eg. turning this:
CTVBBCHBOTSN
into this:
CTV BBC HBO TSN

Question 9

What are 2 ways that long term memory is stored?

Answer 9

Base info on semantic categories that the info belongs to (dogs and cats go together with other pets)

Organize info based on the appearance and sound of the word itself (what causes words to be on the tip of our tongue)

Question 10

What are 2 types of EXPLICIT memory?

Answer 10

Semantic memories: declarative memories including facts about the world

Episodic memories: declarative memories from personal experiences, organized around “episodes” and recalls from a 1st-person POV

Question 11

What are 2 types of implicit memory?

Answer 11

Procedural memory: learned patterns of muscle movement (motor memory)

Priming: exposure to a stimulus which unconsciously changes our behaviour at a later point

Question 12

When recalling a list of words, participants are more able to recall the first and last few words on that list. What effect does this exemplify?

Answer 12

Serial position effect

Proactive interference focuses attention on the first words it hears, retroactive interference makes it difficult to remember what came before the most recent ones

Question 13

________ ________ is a long lasting increase in the strength of synaptic responsiveness, which likely underlines many forms of learning and memory

Answer 13

Long-term potentiation

Question 14

Neural changes for long-term potentiation take time to develop, which explains why memories require a period of ________, which often occurs during ________.

Answer 14

consolidation, sleep

Question 15

What are 3 areas of the brain that are very important for making memories, and what are their basic functions?

Answer 15

Amygdala: formation, consolidation, and memory retrieval

Frontal lobes: efficient encoding of words and pictures

Hippocampus: forms LTM, perceives passage of time

Question 16

The cerebellum and striatum are important for the formation of _______ memories.

Answer 16

implicit

Question 17

Emotional memories are often intense and vivid; even vivid _________ memories become less accurate over time

Answer 17

flashbulb

Question 18

What kind of food can have a large effect on memory?

Answer 18

Glucose

Question 19

What is effortful encoding?

Answer 19

Encoding (learning) information through conscious attention and effort. Forms of review and repetition are important for remembering, and retrieval practice (like short quizzes or flashcards) is necessary for consolidation

Question 20

How do maintenance rehearsal and elaborative rehearsal differ?

Answer 20

MR: plain memorization

ER: more likely results in becoming LTM, involves associating info with previous knowledge or experiences

Question 21

What are 3 theorized mechanisms of forgetting?

Answer 21

Decay theory: info disappears if not accessed (not a complete explanation)

Replacement theory: new info may erase and replace old info in LTM

Cue-dependant forgetting: insufficient cues for recalling info

Question 22

An overlap of present and past memory cues can confuse the brain’s recollection, causing what?

Answer 22

The feeling of deja vu

Question 23

Explain 4 key factors which help memory retrieval

Answer 23

Encoding specificity principle: same conditions during encoding & retrieval
Context-dependent memory: same physical setting for encoding & retrieval
State-dependent memory: internal state for retrieval matches for encoding
Mood-dependent memory: mood at retrieval matches during encoding

Question 24

A proposed theory of a certain type of amnesia involves a rare occurrence where a person undergoes massive, temporary memory loss. It is theorized to be caused for psychological reasons (like escaping embarrassment or shock). Think of Walter’s faked “episode” in BB, wherein he was trying to replicate this amnesia. What is it called?

Answer 24

Psychogenic amnesia

Question 25

_______ amnesia is a highly controversial theory originated by Freud. It allegedly involves the forgetting of traumatic events for long periods of time. Freud argued that the mind defends itself from traumatic memories through _______, which pushes them into the unconscious

Answer 25

Traumatic, repression

Question 26

Memory is highly selective and reconstructive. It is like having a few unconnected clips and then stringing them together. People often experience source misattribution. What is this?

Answer 26

The inability to distinguish an actual memory of an event from information you learned elsewhere about the event

Question 27

What is confabulation?

Answer 27

The confusion in your memory of imagined events with actual ones. When you think, hear, or tell others about an imagined event, imagination inflation occurs, where it becomes more cemented in your memory