L2. Sensory and working memory Flashcards

1
Q

What is memory

A
  • “Memory is the means by which we retain and draw on our past experiences to use that information in the present”
  • Three common operations of memory
  • Each operation represents a stage in memory processing
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2
Q

3 operations of memory

A
  1. Encoding
    - Transform data into mental representation, can be called learning but doesn’t have to be that intentional, we can also encode things we are at least paying a little bit of attention to
  2. Storage
    - Keep encoded information in memory
  3. Retrieval
    - Pulling info from memory to be used unconsciously or consciously
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3
Q

how to we measure memory
implicit and explicit

A

For explicit memory
- The most common type, recall recognition memory
- We are asked to learn something to repeat it
- Conscious attempt to use memory

For implicit memory
- E.g. Priming: when past experience helps you with new experience without even realising
- Don’t involve conscious recall or execution

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4
Q

Explicit memory
recall

A
  • recall is producing an item from memory
    three different types
  • Serial recall, very strict e.g. phone number. Must be all in the right order
  • Free recall, any order e.g. a shopping list. No order needed as long as all items are there
  • Cued recall, information in environment used to trigger retrieval. e.g. paired-associates recall where cue could be anything
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5
Q

explicit memory
recognition

A
  • Select an item which you have seen previously
  • Can be true or false (old/new) tests or multiple choice
  • This is usually better than recall because retrieval is cue dependant, the best cue to remember the item is the item itself
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6
Q

explicit memory
Semantic and episodic memory

A
  • They are different memory systems yet the boundaries are unclean
  • Sematic memories used to be episodic but they have been decontextualised or (semantified)
  • The evidence of them being separate systems is clear from:
    ○ Ribot gradient: dementia patients loose recent episodic memories first
    ○ Reversed Ribot gradient: in semantic dementia semantic knowledge and old episodic memories are forgotten first
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7
Q

Explicit memory
Forgetting

A

Proactive interference (PI)
- Previous learning interferes with later learning
- Rest periods prevent interference

Retroactive interference (RI)
- Later learning interferes with previous learning
- Rest periods prevent interference

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8
Q

implicit memory

A
  • memory influences behaviour without conscious awareness
  • eg riding a bike or driving
  • can be further split up into priming or procedural
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9
Q

implicit memory
priming

A
  • Facilitating the processing of (and response) to a target stimulus by presenting a stimulus related to it shortly beforehand.
  • Even though you did not intentionally retrieve or consciously retrieve, seeing things more recently makes them more likely they will come to mind

Semantic
- E.g. stem completion
- More likely to choose a certain word because of recent exposure or semantic networks

Perceptual/repetition priming
- E.g. fragment completion, broken lined drawing > what animal is this?
- Repeated exposure speeds up processing
Can be very long-lasting

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10
Q

implicit memory
procedural

A
  • This is memory concerned with knowing how and it includes the knowledge required to perform skilled actions.
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11
Q

The Atkinson and Shiffrin model 1968

A
  • Three stores of memory all mainly one way
  • Sensory memory: capable of storying relatively limited amounts of information for limited periods of time (milliseconds)
  • Short-term memory: minimal capacity for a somewhat long period (seconds), STM rehearsal leads to LTM storage
  • Long term memory: very large capacity for very long times (infinite)
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12
Q

The Atkinson and Shiffrin model 1968
Criticisms

A
  • Rehearsal is ineffective for LTM retention
  • Patients with severe short-term memory deficits but intact long-term memory
  • Found non-unitary short-term memory deficits
    ○ Forgetting auditory stimuli greater than visual stimuli
    ○ Forgetting verbal materials such as letters, words and digits but not other meaningful sounds
  • Baddeley and hitch argue its oversimplified, STM isnt the only gateway to LTM and that there are more than one uniform types of STM and LTM each
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13
Q

Sensory memory

A
  • Simultaneous entry of sensory information into consciousness
  • Relatively limited capacity, very brief duration
  • Two main types: iconic and echoic
  • Both spontaneously decay and are erased by masks or inference
  • Perception can rely on icon/echo even if the physical stimulus is gone
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14
Q

sensory memory
iconic

A
  • Visual
  • Discrete visual sensory register that holds information for a short time
  • Infor is stored as visual images
  • Some argue its purely visual/perceptual and therefore no semantic processing
  • Minimum hold or 9 items for 500 m/s
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15
Q

sensory memory echoic

A
  • Auditory equivalent of iconic memory
  • Brief, unanalysed memory of an auditory stimulus (an ‘echo’)
  • Masking tone task where the noise is correctly reported if the masking tone is delayed
  • About minimum 3 items for 250 m/s
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16
Q

Baddeley and Hitch working memory model
components (2000)

A

Working memory
- A limited-capacity system used in the processing and brief holding of information.

Central Executive
- A modality-free, limited-capacity, component of working memory.

phonological loop
- A component of working memory in which speech-based information is processed and stored briefly and subvocal articulation occurs.

Visio-spatial sketchpad
- A component of working memory used to process visual and spatial information and to store this information briefly.

Episodic buffer
- A component of working memory; it is essentially passive and stores integrated information briefly.

17
Q

Baddeley and Hitch working memory model
Two key assumptions

A

(1) If two tasks use the same component, they cannot be performed successfully together.
(2) If two tasks use different components, they can be performed as well together as separately

18
Q

Baddeley and Hitch working memory model
Phonological loop components
2 effects associated with it

A

Has two components:
- a passive phonological store directly concerned with speech perception;
- an articulatory process linked to speech production (i.e., rehearsal)
giving access to the phonological store.

Phonological similarity effect
- The finding that immediate serial recall of verbal material is reduced when the items sound similar.

Word-length effect
- The finding that verbal memory span decreases when longer words are presented.

19
Q

Baddeley and Hitch working memory model
Visouspatial sketchpad components

A

Two components
- visual cache: this stores information about visual form and colour;
- inner scribe: this processes spatial and movement information. It is
involved in the rehearsal of information in the visual cache and transfers information from the visual cache to the central executive.

  • evidence that these can operate independently but also interacts with other systems alot
20
Q

Baddeley and Hitch working memory model
Central executive
four processes

A
  • most important and versatile componant of the working memory system
  • heavily involved in all complex activities but does not store information
  1. focusing attention or concentration
  2. dividing attention between two stimulus streams
  3. switching attention between tasks
  4. interfacing with long term memory
21
Q

Baddeley and Hitch working memory model
episodic buffer

A
  • it is episodic because it olds integrated information (or chunks) about episodes or events in a multidimensional format combining visual, auditory and other info sources.
  • its acts as a buffer between other working memory components and links perception to long-term memory
  • can hold up to 4 chunks (eg 16 words)
22
Q

Baddeley and Hitch working memory model
Crystallised systems

A
  • ‘Visual semantics’ and ‘language’ are semantic long-term memory modules that interact with WM
  • link explains why it is easier to hold/chunk items in WM that have semantic meaning