KA3 Memory Flashcards
What does memory involve?
Memory involves encoding, storage and retrieval of information.
Memories include past experiences, knowledge and thoughts
What are the three stages of memory?
All info entering the brain passes through Sensory memory and enters Short Term memory. Information is then either transferred to the Long Term memory or is discarded.
What is sensory memory?
Sensory memory retains all the visual and auditory (seeing and hearing) input received for a few seconds.
Only selected images and sounds are encoded into the STM.
What is the short term memory span?
The STM has a limited capacity. The memory span is the number of items of info that the STM can hold which is around 7 +/- 2
How long does the STM hold info for?
A short time (30 seconds)
Items are then either transferred into LTM or lost by displacement (due to new items entering the STM) or decay (lost)
What is rehearsal?
Rehearsal involves repeating what his have learned over and over again.
It extends the length of time the info is held in the STM.
What is chunking?
Chunking maximises the amount of info that can be held in each item in STM.
It increases short term memory span.
Eg 0131337598 —-> 0131 337 598
What is the serial position effect?
The serial position effect shows that items are remembered at the start and the end of a sequence.
The first few objects are remembered because of the primacy effect and the last few are because of the recency effect
What is the primacy effect?
The first few objects are remembered because there was enough time for them to be well rehearsed and transferred to LTM from where they could be retrieved.
What is the recency effect?
The last 7 or so objects are remembered be because their images are still present in the STM and are quickly written into the paper as soon as the subject starts writing.
What is the working memory model?
It is an extension of the STM. It can process data, to a limited extent, as well as store it. This explains why the STM can perform simple cognitive tasks.
What type of a capacity does the LTM have?
The LTM has an unlimited capacity and holds info for a long time
How is info transferred and encoded from the STM to the LTM?
Rehearsal- this is regarded as a shallow form of encoding info into LTM
Organisation- information is grouped together into categories
Elaboration- additional/ meaningful info is added. This is regarded as a deeper form of encoding which leads to improved information retention.
How is retrieval from the LTM aided?
Contextual cues
What are contextual cues?
Contextual cues relate to the time and place when the info was initially encoded into LTM
