Key Terms

Question 1

Coding

Answer 1

The format in which information is stored in the various memory stores

Question 2

Capacity

Answer 2

The amount of information that can be held in memory store

Question 3

Duration

Answer 3

The length of time that information can be held in memory

Question 4

Short term memory

Answer 4

Limited capacity store
Coding- acoustic
Capacity- 7±2
Duration- 18 to 30 seconds

Question 5

Long term memory

Answer 5

Permanent memory store
Coding- semantic
Capacity- unlimited
Duration- unlimited

Question 6

Multi store model

Answer 6

Representation of how memory works in terms of three stores: sensory store, STM & LTM
Describes how information is transferred from one store to the next

Question 7

Sensory register

Answer 7

Memory store for each of out 5 senses

Question 8

Episodic memory

Answer 8

Memories of when events occurred and people and environment that was present
Memories need to be retrieved consciously

Question 9

Semantic memory

Answer 9

Knowledge of the world
Includes facts and knowledge of what words and concepts mean
Memories need to be recalled deliberately

Question 10

Procedural memory

Answer 10

Knowledge of how to do things
Memories of learnt skills
Can recall memories without making a conscious effort

Question 11

Working memory model

Answer 11

A representation of short term memory

Question 12

Central executive

Answer 12

Component of the WMM

Co-ordinates activities of the thee sub sytems

Question 13

Phonological loop

Answer 13

Component of WMM
Processes information based on sound
Divided into the phonological store and articulatory process

Question 14

Visio-spatial sketchpad

Answer 14

Component of WMM

Processes visual and spatial information

Question 15

Episodic buffer

Answer 15

Component of WMM

Brings together material from other subsystems into a single memory

Question 16

Interference

Answer 16

Forgetting because on memory blocks another causing both memories to be distorted or forgotten

Question 17

Proactive interference

Answer 17

Forgetting occurs when older memories disrupt recalls of new memories
Degree of forgetting is greater the memories are similar

Question 18

Retroactive interference

Answer 18

Forgetting occurs when new memories affect older ones

Degree of forgetting is greater when memories are similar

Question 19

Retrieval failure

Answer 19

A form of forgetting

Occurs when we don’t have to necessary cues to access a memory

Question 20

Cue

Answer 20

A trigger of information that allows us to access a memory

Question 21

Eyewitness testimony

Answer 21

The ability of people to remember the details of events

Question 22

Misleading information

Answer 22

Incorrect information given to the eyewitness usually after the event

Question 23

Leading question

Answer 23

A question which suggests a certain answer

Question 24

Post event discussion

Answer 24

Occurs when there is more than one eye witness to an event

Eye witnesses may discuss what they each saw which can affect accuracy

Question 25

Anxiety

Answer 25

A state of emotional of psychical arousal

Worried thoughts and feelings, physical changes include increased heart rate

Question 26

Cognitive interview

Answer 26

A method of interviewing eyewitnesses to help them relieve more accurate information 
Four main techniques:
1- report everything
2- reinstate the context 
3- reverse the order 
4- change perspective