Lecture 3

Question 1

What are the three steps of memory?

Answer 1

1. Acquisition
2. Retention
3. Retrieval

Question 2

Differentiate between implicit and explicit memory.

Answer 2

1. Explicit: Based off conscious recollection

2. Implicit: Unaware of active recall of information

Question 3

Why don’t we use the explicit/implicit memory distinction in amnesia?

Answer 3

Amnesia only seems to affect explicit memory; E/I memories come from completely different theories, and are not a measure of cognitive theory.

Question 4

Differentiate between procedural and declarative memory.

Answer 4

1. Procedural memory: “storage of skills and procedures”
   - Motor performance
   - Independent of TLs including hippocampal system.
2. Declarative memory: “accumulation of facts/data from learning experiences”
   - Active learning for encoding is required
   - ‘Relational memory’ (Hippocampal system)
   - Processed by various systems, feeding back to the hippocampal system
   - Memory activation independent of environment.

Question 5

What is the breakdown of the models of memory?

Answer 5

Parallel: parallel distributed processing model
Serial: Tulving, Atkinson-Shiffrin, Levels of Processing model

Question 6

Describe the Atkinson-Shiffrin model of memory.

Answer 6

Sensory memory - working memory - LTM
SM->WM by attention
WM->LTM by encoding
LTM->WM by retrieval and rehearsal

• Memories are not stable, they change over time and develop
• Movement through system is dependent on attention given & maintenance of memories

Question 7

What is the definition of memory? (Ashcroft)

Answer 7

The mental processes of acquiring and retaining information for later retrieval.