Introduction to memory

Question 1

how is memory based on computer model (cognitive psychology)

Answer 1

input –> processing (–> storage) –> output

Question 2

what is memory according to cognitive psychologists

Answer 2

-the study of how people learn, structure, store and use knowledge

Question 3

facts about capacity of brain

Answer 3

-infant learns on average 10 words a day
-adults vocab can contain over 100,000 words

Question 4

how has memory worked as an evolutionary advantage

Answer 4

-ability for one generation to pass along its insights, innovations and experiences to the next
-so that they can improve upon them

Question 5

what is the definition of memory

Answer 5

the process by which we retain information about evens that have happened in past (past can be immediate not only yrs ago)

Question 6

why is the memory important

Answer 6

-case studies of brain damaged patients show memory is vital for learning
-for remembering how to do things (like catch a bus)
-important for talking to friends and remembering places

Question 7

what type of info is stored in the STM

Answer 7

-info that we process and recall straight away
-info that we are currently aware of

Question 9

what is coding (STM)

Answer 9

-the format in which information is stored in memory

Question 10

how is short term memory learned

Answer 10

-acoustically
-through sound

Question 11

how do we forget a STM

Answer 11

-if we do not attend to it or rehearse it

Question 12

what is the short term memory

Answer 12

a limited capacity storew

Question 13

what is rehearsal

Answer 13

adding to info so that it stays in our memory e.g. verbal repetition

Question 14

what happens if we rehearse sensory information

Answer 14

-it will transfer to our short term memory

Question 15

what is the long term memory

Answer 15

-the permanent memory store

Question 16

what kind of info does LTM store

Answer 16

-info that is largely outside of our awareness but can be recalled when needed

Question 17

what kind of coding is the LTM

Answer 17

-semantic

Question 18

what does semantic memory mean

Answer 18

-memory for meaning
-factual recall

Question 19

capacity of LTM

Answer 19

-potentially unlimited
-can hold info for years until we want to retrieve it

Question 20

what is retrieval

Answer 20

-the process of locating and extracting stored memories

Question 21

what is capacity

Answer 21

-the amount of information held in a memory store

Question 22

what is duration

Answer 22

-the length of time information can be held in a memory store