Language and Memory

Question 1

In Atkinson & Shriffin’s model, what happens in the short-term store?

Answer 1

• Communication between LTM & SR
• Reasoning & comprehension
• Information decay & loss

Question 2

In Atkinson & Shriffin’s model, what happens in the long-term store?

Answer 2

• Less information decay & loss

- More stable, but modifiable

Question 3

What did support for Atkinson & Shriffin’s model come from?

Answer 3

1. People with learning difficulties (short term memory is unaffected, as expected)
2. Conduct aphasia patients (STM affected, LTM not, as expected)

Question 4

What is an argument against Atkinson & Shriffin’s model?

Answer 4

If short term memory is working memory,
and working memory is the interaction of different cognitive tasks,
then impaired short term memory should result in cognitive impairment

BUT: it’s not the case

Question 5

What are the components of short-term memory in Baddley and Hitch’s model?

Answer 5

Visuo-spatial sketchpad, phonological loop, episodic buffer

Question 6

Name and describe the subcomponents of the phonological loop.

Answer 6

1. Storage system: memory traces, fast decay, language-independent
2. Subvocal rehearsal system: dependent on previous language knowledge

Question 7

What factors aid word retention?

Answer 7

1. Acoustic/ phonological features
2. SImilarity effect: similar words are harder to remember than different ones
3. Words with similar meanings are easier to remember
4. Word length effect: short words are easier to remember; long words take longer to recall

Question 8

What is the function of the phonological loop?

Answer 8

1. Sentence comprehension
2. Language acquisition & learning
3. Subvocalization (action control, cognitive switch, strategic control)

Question 9

What is the visuospatial sketchpad?

Answer 9

Where visual, spatial, and kinesthetic information is integrated

Question 10

Describe the central executive.

Answer 10

• Attentional control of working memory
• Most important in terms of cognition
• Combines storage and processing of information
• Influences language comprehension capacity

Question 11

Describe the episodic buffer.

Answer 11

Creates multidimensional representations (visual + verbal); has storage capcity