Introduction to Memory 1-6 Flashcards
What is working memory (short term)?
A memory system during which the brain holds a few ideas together at the same time to try to connect them to gain understanding of a concept, solve a problem, practice a memory until it becomes permanent
What part of the memory process is working memory?
It’s the part of the memory process that has to do with what your mind is immediately and consciously *processing *
Where is working memory located in the brain?
i.e. Where is its home office?
Prefrontal cortex but it also has connections to other parts of the brain from which it accesses stored long term memories so that it can use them to process.
How many chunks of information (new or stored) can working memory use at one time?
4
What is an information chunk?
Groups of memory items, either stored memories or new information
What’s the benefit of grouping together new information into chunks during learning?
Working memory can only actively manage 4 chunks of information - like having only 4 memory slots on a computer - by grouping information together, the working memory is tricked into working with more information at once.
What kinds of information can you strategically chunk?
- Break up reading material into logical relational chunks
- Condense processed material into mind maps or other organizational tool, like mnemonics
What is a good analogy of short term memory?
A piece of paper using invisible ink. The ink disappears in a short period of time so the information is difficult if not impossible to retrieve
What is short term (working) memory
A type of memory that lasts for a very short period of time. The body’s natural dissipating process (metabolic vampires) destroy it unless more is done with it.
What causes short term memory to be destroyed?
The body’s natural disspating processes: metabolic vampires.
How can you avoid losing short term memory
Frequent repetition, like repeating a phone number until you get a chance to write it down.
What is 2 strategies to help retain short term memory so that it can be captured for a while?
- Repetition
- Closing eyes to avoid distractions/focusing
What is long term memory?
A memory system in which memories are stored indefinitely
Where is long term memory stored in the brain
Distributed all over the brain, depending on how it was encoded:
- what relationships were used to understand it
- what prior knowledge was used as a scaffold
- which senses were initially used while interacting with the information to learn it
Why is it important to practice retrieval of long term memories?
The long term memory storage warehouse is immense, with billions of memories all stored on top of each other. It takes the brain a while to locate and retrieve. The more you practice it, the better the brain knows the path and how to “pick” it.
