Learning & memory Flashcards
Define learning
Gaining/acquiring new knowledge or skill(s)
Define memory
The expression of what you have acquired, ie retaining and retrieving that knowledge/skill
State the three fundamental stages of the memory process
The three fundamental stages are encoding, storage, and retrieval.
If any one of these processes fails, memory will fail.
What is first stage, encoding?
Conversion of information into a usable form so that it can be placed and stored in memory.
What is the second stage, storage?
retention of the encoded information over time.
What is the third stage, retrieval?
recovery of stored information and bringing into consciousness awareness for use when needed.
The Encoding process can be affected by:
our emotional state
the attention we give to the information
If not done properly the accurate recall of details will not be possible
What are the three ways we can encode info?
Visual Encoding: the encoding of picture images.
Acoustic Encoding: the encoding of sound, especially the sounds of words.
Semantic Encoding: the encoding of meaning.
State the three stages of memory storage
sensory store
short-term store
long-term store.
What is sensory memory?
A split-second holding tank for all sensory information
Explain the process of sensory memory
Information picked up by our sense organs is sent to our brain
It is stored here in our sensory memory for a few seconds
After a few seconds the memory will be gone unless we pay attention to it and move it into short term memory
Define and explain short-term memory (STM)
The information we encode from the sensory goes to STM.
Events are encoded visually, acoustically or semantically (with meaning)
Holds about 7 items for about 20 seconds.
Define and explain long-term memory (LTM)
An unlimited storehouse of information.
Can store memory for a long time provided we use it
Information includes:
-Facts
-Events
-Actions/How to do things
