Introduction to Memory Flashcards
What is memory?
a set of storage systems & processes for ENCODING, STORING, & RETRIEVING information acquired through our senses & for relating this information to previously acquired knowledge
OR
the mental representation of knowledge within memory systems stored within neural networks of the brain
Who proposed the MSM?
Atkinson & Shiffrin (1968)
How are the 3 stores in the MSM distinguished?
based on duration (how long memory is retained) & capacity (how much info can be stored)
Define encoding
the process involved in attending to & acquiring info from experiences & mental processes
- registration of info in SENSORY REGIONS of brain
- ATTENTION to elements of experience
- INTERPRETATION & INTEGRATION OF EXPERIENCE with prior knowledge
Define storage
consolidation of representations of info in memory traces in networks of neurons throughout the brain
dif. kinds of memories are stored in dif networks
Give examples of memory storage
neurons in visual cortex store info about the sights that were part of an experience
What is storage capacity & duration dependent on?
the KIND of memory system involved
Define retrieval
the process of recovering or locating information stored in memory
- is reconstructive & error-prone that may change the memory trace
remembering, knowing, & doing
What is sensory memory?
A temporary, sensory-based representation of input received through sensory channels
- provides buffer b/w early sensory processes & later cognitive processes
Outline 2 types of sensory memory
- iconic (visual)
- echoic (aditory)
both had BRIEF duration & LARGE capacity - relative to STM
Who determined the capacity & duration of iconic memory?
George Sperling (1960) - using the full-report vs partial-report methods
Who determined the capacity & duration of iconic memory?
George Sperling (1960) - using the full-report vs partial-report methods
Using full report . . .
Sperling found that participants could only name 4 of the letters on average - it was info being read from a rapidly decaying (fading) icon
Using partial-report method . . .
Sperling provided a signal immediately after the letters disappeared telling participants which of the 3 lines to report
- since participants could recall all of the letters from any cued row this demonstrated that all 12 items were available
What was the main issue with the full-report method?
- it underestimated the capacity of the iconic trace by confounding the reporting method with the duration of the iconic trace (reporting takes time)
