Information Processing Model

Question 1

What is the information processing model?

Answer 1

Stimuli –> Sensory Store –> Short-term/Working Memory –> Long Term Memory

Question 2

What is the sensory store?

Answer 2

“Raw form” information, provides time for further processing
Pattern recognition - point at which sensory info is recognized
Iconic memory
Echoic memory

Question 3

What is iconic memory?

Answer 3

Visual
Large capacity (9-12 items)
Fast decay (500 ms)
Sperling: 12 letters shown for 50 msec (whole report vs. partial report)

Question 4

What is echoic memory?

Answer 4

Auditory
Smaller capacity (5 items)
Lasts longer (4-5 seconds)

Question 5

What is short term memory?

Answer 5

Limited capacity
Limited holding/processing time
Test: Digit Span Task (George Miller’s Magic Number: 7 (plus/minus) 2
Duration: 20-30 seconds
Information can temporarily be maintained through rehearsal
Sometimes STM holds fewer items for less time: Multiple tasks, harder tasks, organized info

Question 6

What is the Digit Span Task?

Answer 6

STM span: longest sequence a person can recall
Forward digit span task: numbers displayed –> ** –> repeat numbers
George Miller’s Magic Number: 7 +/- 2
Chunking: number matters, not size
Mnemonics

Question 7

What is working memory?

Answer 7

Involved in the processing of all active information characteristics
Limited capacity
Limited holding/processing information
Limited in how much it can process
Processing load can affect storage
Digit re-ordering span task - requires manipulation of WM info
Processing capacity - limited amount of mental resource you have available
How much WM can support depends on the number and type of tasks involved (if you exceed capacity - WM breaks down)
Baddeley’s WM Model

Question 8

What is Baddeley’s WM Model?

Answer 8

Central Executive - coordinates WM resources - phonological loop and visuospatial sketchpad
Phonological Loop - verbal information
Visuospatial Sketchpad - visual/spatial information

Question 9

What is long term memory (LTM - Tulving)?

Answer 9

Three parts:
Episodic memory
Semantic memory
Procedural memory

Question 10

What is episodic memory?

Answer 10

Part of long term memory - Explicit
Also known as flashbulb memories - emotionally charged, vivid memories - you can recall these years later
Aren’t always reliable, change over time
Related by time and space
Memory formed after one experience
You’re usually not trying to remember the information

Question 11

What is semantic memory?

Answer 11

Part of long term memory - Explicit
General world, concept, functional, factual, and language knowledge
No time/place association
Formed over repeated experiences
This information is critical for survival
Allows us to recognize new objects and situations
If we can’t recognize something it makes us uncomfortable

Question 12

What is procedural memory?

Answer 12

Part of long term memory - Implicit
Motor skills (muscle memory)
Learned through repetition
Easy to show, hard to explain
Autopilot