Chapter 9: Memory, Attention, and Consiousness Flashcards
Memory stores
- sensory memory
- working/ short-term memory
- long-term memory
3 characteristics of memory stores
- Function ( the overall purpose of the memory store in the working mind)
- Capacity ( how much information can the store hold at any given instance)
- Duration ( how long an item of information can be held)
Sensory store
Traces of sensory input briefly stays in your information-processing system.
- less than 1 sec for visual sights
- several seconds for sound
Attention
Information in the sensory memory that is attended to moves into the short-term memory
Short-term memory
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.
Long-term memory
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.
Effortful processes
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
Automatic processes
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
Dual-processing theories
The theory that states
- ‘fast’ thinking is unconscious and intuitive
- ‘slow’ thinking is conscious and deliberate
Stroop interference effect
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.
Preattentive processing
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.
Spatial neglect
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.
Phonological loop
Responsible for holding verbal information.
This is done through subvocal repetition( like mental repetition) and permits verbal thought.
Memory span
The number of pronounceable items that a person can keep in mind and report back accurately after a short delay.
Working-memory span
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.