cognitive psychology Flashcards
define the term cognitive psychology
how behaviour is affected by cognitive processes
define the term memory
our ability to encode, store, retain and recall information and past experiences
The Multi-Store Model
who created this theory
Atkinson and Shiffrin
Multi- Store Model
define information processing
the idea that information is processed in a linear way meaning it flows through the brain in a way that is logical
Multi- Store Model
define encoding
the way in which information is registered as a memory e.g. sound or smell
Multi- Store Model
define storage
how the information remains as a memory once it is registered
Multi- Store Model
define retrieval
how we find and access stored memories
Multi- Store Model
define capacity
the size of the memory store - how much information can be held
Multi- Store Model
define duration
how long information remains in the memory store
Multi- Store Model
how do memories disappear from the STM
displacement or decay
Multi-Store Model
how do memories disappear from the LTM
inteference
Multi- Store Model
what is the duration, capacity, and encoding of the sensory store
- duration - o.5 to 2 seconds
- capacity - very large
- encoding - modality specific - the 5 senses
Multi- Store Model
what is the duration, capacity, and encoding of the STM
- duration - 18 to 30 seconds
- capacity - 5 +/- 2
- encoding - acoustically (sound)
Multi- Store Model
what is the duration, capacity, and encoding of the LTM
- duration - lifetime
- capacity - unlimited
- encoding - semantic
Multi- Store Model
positive evaluation points
- credible - most evidence used to support the MSM is obtained from highly controlled lab experiments - memory ability was measured objectively
- useful application - can help people with dementia to rehearse information via memory aids e.g. diaries or repetition
- supporting evidence - HM had a STM functioning normally but couldn’t rehearse information to LTM (no hippocampus) - shows the two seperate stores
Multi- Store Model
negative evaluation points
- alternative expanation - Working Memory Model better expanation for STM - explores both visual and verbal memories
- reductionist - isolates just three specific memory stores even though memory = very complex - ignores other ways memories could be created e.g. flashback memories
- refuting evidence - KF had a LTM functioning normallty despite his STM being damaged - shows that STM doesn’t transfer to the LTM
the working memory model
who created the theory and when
Baddeley and Hitch (1974)
working memory model
explain the model
- argued the model of STM in the MSM was too simplistic
- replaced ‘Short Term’ to ‘Working Memory’
- meant to temporarily store and manipulate information
working memory model
explain the central executive
- responsible for monitering and coordinating the slave systems
- decides which information should be attended by the working memoryand where it goes (phonological loop or visuo-spatial sketchpad)
- directs attention to particular activities
working memory model
explain the phonological loop
deals with verbal information (spoken and written) and is split into two parts - phonological store and articulatory loop
working memory model
explain the phonological store
part of the phonological loop
- linked to speech perception (inner ear) and holds for 1 - 2 seconds
- written words are converted into articulatory (spoken) code before entering the phonological store
working memory model
explain the articulatory loop
part of the phonological loop
- linked to speech production (inner voice)
- rehearses information from the phonological store by circulating information around e.g. remembering a telephone number
- also converts written material into articulatory code and moves to the phonological store
working memory model
explain the visuo- spatial sketchad
deals with the visual and spatial information (inner eye) to help keep track of where we are in relation to other objects
working memory model
explain the episodic buffer
acts as a ‘back-up’ store that communicates with both the LTM and the WM
working memory model
when and why was the episodic buffer added
updated by Baddeley in 2000 after the firat model failed to explain experiments
working memory model
positive evaluation points
- supporting evidence - KF - brain damage after motorbike accident - STM impared (mainly verbal, visual left unaffected) - shows seperate memory stores
- credibility - numerous experiments by Baddeley (1960s) - carried on and found episodic buffer (2000) - improvements using hypotheticodeductive approach
- useful application - supporting dementia patients with daily routines - no distractions while giving instructions - can’t do two verbal tasks at the same time
working memory model
negative evaluation points
- refuting evidence - Lieberman (1980) - blind people have excellent spatial awarness - but never have visual information - visual and spatial may be two seperate stores
- alternative explanation - multi-store model - claims that LTM first enter sensory store - must be paid attention and rehearsed - goes beyond the WMM
- reductionist - isolates two sub-systems - ignores how information is passed from the to components to the LTM
Baddeley classic study on the working memory model
when did the study take place
1966b (second experiment that same year)
baddeley classic study on the working memory model
descirbe the aim
to see if the LTM is impared by semantic similarities and to show that the LTM is not impaied by acoustic similarities
baddeley classic study on the working memory model
descirbe the sample
- 72 mainly houswives that were paid a small amount
- volunteer sample from the Applied Psychological Research Unit at Cambridge University
baddeley classic study on the working memory model
what was the experimental design and what were the IV
independent group design - 4 groups
* control groups - acoustically dissimilar words - semantically dissimilar words
* experimental groups - acoustically similar words - semantically similar words