Cognitive Approach And Memory

Question 1

Explain the first key feature of the cognitive approach.

Answer 1

• information is processed by the brain in a linear and logical way. -When we input information it is usually through our senses = this is processed using various methods eg thinking, problem solving, attention and encoding = information is then outputted in response to the stimulus in the form of our behaviour.
• information can be stored and retrieved

Question 2

Explain the second key feature of the cognitive approach.

Answer 2

-Top down processing: when we use our past experiences and knowledge to interpret the stimulus

Question 3

Explain the third key feature of the cognitive approach

Answer 3

-Bottom up processing: where we have no previous knowledge of the stimulus and therefore process information based on the stimulus

Question 4

Explain the fourth key feature of the cognitive approach

Answer 4

• our brain works like a computer
• this analogy describes the brain like a storage system that receives information from the environment, processes it, and provides an output
• input of information: keyboard / senses = computer input is more controlled and limited,, human is wide and selective
• Processing of information: runs program / problem solving, attention, memory, perception = humans can make mistakes when processing (eg interference),, computer repeats same process
• Output of information: a printout / behaviour = humans output is more complex,, computers is limited

Question 5

What is the definition of encoding? (3 mark)

Answer 5

How we put information into our memory. For example, whether we remember things by how they sound, how they look, or what they mean.

Question 6

What is the definition of storage? (3 mark)

Answer 6

How we keep information in our memory. For example whether we have to rehearse the information or pay attention to it.

Question 7

What is the definition of retrieval? (3 marks)

Answer 7

How we access our memories. For example cues can be used to trigger retrieval of memories from long term memory

Question 8

What is the definition of capacity?

Answer 8

A measure of the amount of information that can be held in your memory. It’s measured in terms of chunks of information such as numbers of digits.

Question 9

What is the definition of duration?

Answer 9

A measure of how long information remains in a store before it’s no longer available.

Question 10

What is the definition of forgetting?

Answer 10

Not being able to recall information when it’s no longer there. Forgetting can be as a result of failure to remember cues needed to retrieve memories.

Question 11

What is the Multi Store Model of Memory and who was it created by?

Answer 11

One of the 4 models of memory; shows memory as a very linear process, with 3 separate stores sensory memory, STM and LTM, which process and store all memories. By ATKINSON and SHIFFRIN (1968)

Question 12

For the sensory memory store of the Multi Store Model, state it’s input of information, capacity, duration, how information is lost and how information is transferred to STM

Answer 12

• Input: stimulus from environment e.g sight, sound, etc
• Capacity: unlimited-can receive masses of information at once
• Duration: 0.2 milliseconds
• Lost: decay
• Transferred: paying attention to the stimuli moves it to STM

Question 13

For the short term memory store of the Multi Store Model, state it’s input of information, capacity, duration, how information is lost and how information is transferred to LTM

Answer 13

• Input: paying attention to stimuli AND encodes ACOUSTICALLY
• Capacity: 7+-2 items
• Duration: 18-30 seconds
• Lost: decay displacement as new information replaces current information if not transferred
• Transferred: maintenance rehearsal (repeating) KEEPS information in STM Elaborative rehearsal (adding meaning) moves information into LTM

Question 14

For the long term memory store of the Multi Store Model, state it’s input of information, capacity, duration, how information is lost and how information is transferred to STM

Answer 14

• Input: elaborative rehearsal (adding meaning) and so encodes SEMANTICALLY
• Capacity: unlimited
• Duration: lasts a lifetime
• Lost: Forgetting due to retrieval failure (can’t remember cues)
• Transferred: can be transferred back to STM through retrieval

Question 15

What is the Working Memory Model and who created it?

Answer 15

The second model of memory which presents a more in depth description of how short term memory works, and the different systems and processes involved. There’s the central executive which has 2 slave systems, the phonological loop and visuospatial sketch pad, and an episodic buffer was later added. Designed by Baddeley and Hitch (1974)

Question 16

What is the central executive’s functions in the working memory model?

Answer 16

• has a supervisory role of focusing, inhibiting and shifting attention to the 2 subsystems
• does not store any information as has a very limited capacity
• monitors incoming data

Question 17

What is the visuospatial sketchpad’s function in the working memory model?

Answer 17

• stores visual information in its component for eg shape, colour, size
• also considers spatial arrangement of shapes
• allows us to recreate images either based on something we’re currently seeing or something we’ve seen in the past
• has a limited capacity of 3-4 objects

Question 18

What is the function of the phonological loop, including its 2 sub components in the working memory model?

Answer 18

• deals with auditory information
• Articulatory control system: (your inner voice) allows maintenance rehearsal in a loop format. Has a capacity of 2 seconds = word length has an effect
• Phonological store: (your inner ear) stores auditory information

Question 19

What is the episodic buffer’s function in the working memory model?

Answer 19

• new component added in 2000 by Baddeley
• acts as a backup store which communicates with both long term memory and the components of working memory
• controlled by central executive
• limited capacity of 4 chunks
• combines the processed acoustic, visual and spatial information with LTM

Question 20

What are semantic memories?

Answer 20

Memories for general knowledge, facts and linking concepts. For example capital cities, addition and subtraction etc. These memories are located in the frontal and temporal lobes.

Question 21

What are episodic memories?

Answer 21

Autobiographical memories that are personal to you, they are linked to time and have context as to where they took place.

• For example where you were when you found out about 9/11.
• These episodic memories are located in the hippocampus.
• Episodic memories are encoded through cues that overlap the memories themselves and these cues aid retrieval

Question 22

What is Tulvings explanation of long term memory?

Answer 22

In 1972, Tulving proposed that LTM could be divided into two memory stores: episodic and semantic

Question 23

Explain how semantic memories and episodic memories are related/ interrelated.

Answer 23

• Semantic memories come from episodic memories as we learn new facts or concepts from our experiences
• the episodic memory is considered to support and underpin semantic memory
• forming a new episodic memory is affected by information in semantic memory as it must pass through the semantic memory before it can be cemented into long-term memory as an episodic memory
• Semantic memory can operate independently of episodic memory as we don’t need to remember how, when and where we learnt the information
• Episodic memory is unlikely to operate without semantic memory as we need to be able to draw on previous knowledge to understand them

Question 24

Explain time referencing in terms of episodic and semantic memories.

Answer 24

• Episodic memories are dependent on time referencing

- Semantic memories (factual information) can be recalled without reference to when it was learned

Question 25

Explain spatial referencing in terms of episodic and semantic memory.

Answer 25

• Episodic memory is continuous as we constantly experience

- Semantic memory can be input in a fragmented way

Question 26

For semantic memory, state how it encodes, retrieval type, and how these memories are forgotten

Answer 26

• Encodes acoustically and from episodic memories
• Retrieval can occur from just understanding the rules behind the concept,, does rely on cues
• Forgetting= memory trace is strong and less susceptible to transformation

Question 27

For episodic memory state how it encodes, retrieval type, and how these memories are forgotten.

Answer 27

• Perceptionally encoded using all forms of encoding,, stored in spatial (where) and temporal (when) links
• Retrieval using cues which are encoded at the point of learning, using prior knowledge to access the memory
• Forgetting due to retrieval cue failure,, memories can also be changed/ distorted in content as they’re linked to previous memories

Question 28

What is Bartlett’s model of memory?

Answer 28

In 1932, Bartlett proposed that people do not passively record memories as exact copies of new information, and so he developed the idea of reconstructive memory and the schema theory.

Question 29

What is a schema?

Answer 29

Past stores of information which are used to help make sense of current situations.

Question 30

What is meant by rationalisation in reconstructive memory?

Answer 30

When recalling an event, ppts change the order of the story to try make sense of it. They may use terms more familiar to their culture, and add details or emotion.

Question 31

What is meant by simplification in reconstructive memory?

Answer 31

Story of an event becomes significantly shorter with each retelling because ppts remove information not seen as important. (330 words drop to 180 words)

Question 32

What is meant by transformation in reconstructive memory?

Answer 32

When ppts change details within the story in order to make it feel more familiar, fit their cultural expectations, and help it to make sense. (Transform it)

Question 33

What is meant by confabulation in reconstructive memory?

Answer 33

When new information is added to the story in order to piece it together better and make sense of it