CLOA - Memory models Flashcards
1
Q
Introduction to memory
A
- Memory is the process of encoding, storing, and retrieving information
Types of memory:
- Declarative (explicit)
1) Episodic: Events/experiences
2) Semantic: Facts/concepts - Procedural (implicit): Skills
2
Q
MSMM - Components of memory
A
- Sensory memory
- Short-term memory
- Long-term memory
3
Q
MSMM - Sensory memory
A
- Store that detects information and holds it until it is either transferred further into STM or lost
- Capacity: Limited by our perception
- Duration: 2-5 seconds
4
Q
MSMM - Short-term memory
A
- Store that holds, but doesn’t manipulate, a small amount of information in an active state for a short period of time
- Capacity: 7+/- 2 chunks (Milner’s Magic Number)
- Duration: 30 seconds
5
Q
MSMM - Long-term memory
A
- Store that stores large amounts of information for indefinite periods of time
- Capacity: Unlimited
- Duration: Life-long
6
Q
MSMM - Conditions of transfer
A
- Attention (Sensory - STM): We choose which small subset of information from sensory memory to attend to
- Rehearsal (STM - LTM): Increases duration of STM to be transferred and consolidated
7
Q
MSMM - Strengths
A
- It is of historical significance as it has influenced our understanding of memory
1) Sparked interest in memory among psychologists
2) Following research is based on this model - Presents a good account of basic mechanisms in memory processes (encoding, storage, retrieval)
- There is significant research to support the theory of separate memory stores (both experimental research and biological case studies of brain damage)
8
Q
MSMM - Limitations
A
- Focus on structure rather than process. Doesn’t emphasise flow of information, instead explains the stores it goes through
- Over-simplified as it assumes that each store works as an independent unit
- Does not explain memory distortion or the role of emotions
- Argues that the only mechanism that enables information transfer is rehearsal
1) Due to lack of attention to memory as a process
2) Doesn’t explain why certain things may be learned with minimal amount of research
3) Craik and Lockhart’s Levels of Processing (LOPs) counter that information undergoes a series of LOPs is (the deeper the information is processed, the stronger the trace in LTM) - Suggests unidirectional flow of information, but it is a bidirectional process (STM requires information from LTM to work, which is not explained)
- LTM is not a unitary store (proved by case studies of amnesiacs - like HM - that different memory types (semantic, procedural…) are stored separately
- STM is not a unitary store, but rather a “workstation” that manipulates information coming from sensory memory together with knowledge already stored in LTM (WMM and Schema Theory)
9
Q
WMM - Components of memory
A
- Central executive
- Phonological loop
- Visuo-spatial sketchpad
- Episodic buffer
10
Q
WMM - Central executive
A
- Attention control system responsible for monitoring the operations of the sub-systems, deciding which information is attended to and giving priority to particular components and activities
- Controls attention in 2 levels:
1) Automatic level: Routine procedures
2) Supervisory attentional level: Planning and decision-making
11
Q
WMM - Phonological loop
A
- Memory store responsible for processing and storing sound-based information
ARTICULATORY CONTROL SYSTEM (INNER VOICE)
- Rehearses sound information (speech production)
- Turns visual stimuli to sound
- Allows rehearsal of information stored in phonological store, increasing chance of transfer to LTM
PHONOLOGICAL STORE (INNER EAR)
- Stores sound information (speech perception)
- Allows acoustically coded information (from senses, LTM, or inner voice) to be stored for a brief period
12
Q
WMM - Visuo-spatial sketchpad
A
- Memory store responsible for processing and storing visual and spatial information, setting up and manipulating mental images
- Information comes from:
1) Sensory memory: Keep track of our position in relation to objects
2) LTM: Displays and manipulates information from LTM
13
Q
WMM - Episodic buffer
A
- Passive display store responsible for integrating information from other components (including LTM) and processing it so it can be used in STM when needed
- Recent addition to the model (2000)
14
Q
WMM - Strengths
A
- More sophisticated than MSMM
- Allows us to explain a wider range of phenomena:
1) Dual-task technique (why we can sometimes multi-task)
2) Effects of articulatory suppression - Supported by considerable scientific evidence:
1) Case studies of patients with brain damage
2) Brain scanning showing there is a physiological correlation to separate components of the model (areas light up when stimulated) - Does not overemphasise the role of rehearsal and approaches memory as a process (unlike MSMM)
15
Q
WMM - Limitations
A
- Hard to test empirically and therefore falsify, as all its studies are designed to test only 1 aspect of the model (difficulty when designing well-controlled studies that test it entirely)
- Exact role of some components remains unclear:
1) Central executive
2) Episodic buffer (how it integrates information from sub-components with LTM) - Only involves STM and doesn’t consider other memory structures like sensory memory
- Does not explain memory distortion or the role of emotions
- Argued that visuospatial sketchpad should be further subdivided into visual and spatial information separately
