Chapter 9: Memory, Attention, and Consiousness

Question 1

Memory stores

Answer 1

• sensory memory
• working/ short-term memory
• long-term memory

Question 2

3 characteristics of memory stores

Answer 2

1. Function ( the overall purpose of the memory store in the working mind)
2. Capacity ( how much information can the store hold at any given instance)
3. Duration ( how long an item of information can be held)

Question 3

Sensory store

Answer 3

Traces of sensory input briefly stays in your information-processing system.

• less than 1 sec for visual sights
• several seconds for sound

Question 4

Attention

Answer 4

Information in the sensory memory that is attended to moves into the short-term memory

Question 5

Short-term memory

Answer 5

Information in the short-term memory fade quickly if it is left unrehearsed and not thought about.
It has a short duration and a limited capacity if 7 (+ / - 2) items, it is reffered to as active.

Question 6

Long-term memory

Answer 6

Information that us rehearsed may or may not be encoded into the long-term memory which has an unlimited capacity and a long duration (items can last a lifetime). It is referred to as relatively passive.
- allows us to recall flavours of food, sound and lyrics of music, etc.
We are unconscious about the items and info in our long-term memory except when they are actively retrieved into the short-term memory.

Question 7

Effortful processes

Answer 7

Processes which require the use of mental resources to successfully be completed.
They are hypothezised to:
1. Be available to consciousness
2. Interfere with the execution of other effortful processes
3. Improve with practice
4. Be influenced by differences in intelligence, motivation, and education

Question 8

Automatic processes

Answer 8

Processes that require little to none of the short-term memory’s capacity and mental resources.
They are hypothesized to:
1. Occur without conscious awareness
2. Not interfere with the execution of other processes
3. Not improve with practice
4. Not to be influenced by intelligence, education, and motivation

Question 9

Dual-processing theories

Answer 9

The theory that states

• ‘fast’ thinking is unconscious and intuitive
• ‘slow’ thinking is conscious and deliberate

Question 10

Stroop interference effect

Answer 10

Often, when presented with a problem, you cannot shut off the fast system, even if it may interfere with solving the problem through your slow system.

Question 11

Preattentive processing

Answer 11

The idea that all information is picked up by the senses briefly into the sensory memory where the information is analyzed for its relevance to the ongoing task and its potential importance for the person’s survival.

Question 12

Spatial neglect

Answer 12

Caused by damage to areas in the left or right hemisphere of the brain.
People with spacial neglect are unable to process info from the visual field opposite to the brain hemisphere in which they have a lesion.

Question 13

Phonological loop

Answer 13

Responsible for holding verbal information.

This is done through subvocal repetition( like mental repetition) and permits verbal thought.

Question 14

Memory span

Answer 14

The number of pronounceable items that a person can keep in mind and report back accurately after a short delay.

Question 15

Working-memory span

Answer 15

Examines how many words someone can keep in their mind while performing another task (‘work’).
- similar to using the phone while driving. Both are rather automatic skills but performing one interferes with performing the other.