Lecture 19: Learning and Memory

Question 1

Define Encoding.

Answer 1

Processing new information into a form that can be stored

Question 2

Define Storage.

Answer 2

Retaining/Maintaining a memory

Question 3

Define Retrieval.

Answer 3

Getting information out of storage into conscious awareness.

Question 4

Define Recall.

Answer 4

To bring back to min (ex. search a memory bank)

Question 5

Define Recognition.

Answer 5

To perceive something as previously known ; “familiar”

Question 6

Define Short-term Memory.

Answer 6

Short-lived memory for things that just happened / limited storage 7 items.

Question 7

Define Long-term Memory.

Answer 7

Memory for things that do not currently occupy your attention; they must be retrieved.

Question 8

How do short term memories become long term memories?

Answer 8

STM –> Consolidation –> LTM

Question 9

What are 3 ways to consolidate short-term memories into long-term memories?

Answer 9

1. GLUCOSE
2. Study from different angles
3. Sleep and drugs to slow you down.

Question 10

Where do you obtain glucose?

Answer 10

1. Food
2. Adrenaline and Cortisol

Question 11

Where is adrenaline released from?

Answer 11

Adrenal Medulla

Question 12

Where is Cortisol released from?

Answer 12

Adrenal Cortex

Question 13

Why does sleep and drugs that are “depressants” help with memory?

Answer 13

Anesic effect ; stops new memories from being formed, which would otherwise interfere with the memory consolidation of items just studied/learned.

Question 14

Define Semantic.

Answer 14

Facts that can be stated, things that you just know ; “knowing”

Question 15

Define Episodic.

Answer 15

Memory for events that you’ve experienced, things that you “remembered”

Question 16

Define Procedural Memory.

Answer 16

Procedures, motor skills, habits.

Question 17

Talk about the Lab Mirror Drawing Experiment / Tower of Hanoi.

Answer 17

Things that you had a hard time doing the first time but over time you remember.

Question 18

Define Priming.

Answer 18

When exposure to a stimulus influences behavior (but you are not consciously aware).

Question 19

What are two examples of Conditioned responses?

Answer 19

Operant and Classical Conditioning.

Question 20

Explain the Reward “Reinforcement” in Operant Conditioning.

Answer 20

Increase the likelihood of behavior X
Positive: If you do this, I will give you this.
Negative: If you do this, I will remove this

Question 21

Explain the Punishment in Operant Conditioning.

Answer 21

Decrease the likelihood of behavior Y
Positive: If you do this, I will GIVE you this (ex. nag)
Negative: If you do this, I will remove something.

Question 22

Define Classical Conditioning.

Answer 22

Uses “natural” automatic response. When you do this, I do that.

Question 23

Explain Pavlov’s Dog and the Bell.

Answer 23

:D

Question 24

What did Donald Hebb discover?

Answer 24

Learning/Training is an INCREASE in connectivity between neurons as a result of simultaneous activity in those neurons–> Hebbian Mechanisms.

Question 25

What does Hippocampus damage do?

Answer 25

Memory loss, Amnesia.

Question 26

Define Retrograde Amnesia.

Answer 26

Loss of events prior to memory.

Question 27

Define Anterograde Amnesia.

Answer 27

Inability to create new memories after the injury.

Question 28

Describe the story of HM and what happened when he got his hippocampus and amygdala removed.

Answer 28

Severe anterograde amnesia, but only mild retrograde amnesia.
Anterograde amnesia for LTM, not STM
Anterograde amnesia for explicit LTM, not implicit STM.