Lecture 5 Flashcards
What is the stage theory of memory?
The Atkinson and Shiffrin model of memory is: sensory memory (lasts roughly 300 ms, based upon how long the neurons are acting), if unattended to this information is lost. Attended to information becomes short-term memory (roughly 20s), if unrehearsed the information is forgotten, if rehearsed it helps the information stay longer in short-term memory as well as proceed to long term memory, which can then be retrieved into short term memory. This is known as the stage theory of memory.
What is the serial position effect?
The serial position effect refers to when a series of information is given to an individual they are more likely to remember the information at the start of the list (primacy effect, due to plenty of time to rehearse first few) and at the end of the list (recency effect) but the middle words are recalled less.
How are terms typically encoded in short and long term memory?
in short term memory terms are encoded in terms of sensory feelings eg sounds of words, rather than meaning of the words (which becomes more important in long term memory).
How does medial temporal lobe damage support the stage theory of memory?
medial temporal lobe damage produces dense anterograde amnesia (long term memory damage) with intact short term memory.
What were some issues with the Atkinson and Shiffrin stage theory model of memory?
Some issues with Atkinson and Shiffrin’s model are that rehearsal does not always lead to long term memory (e.g $2 coin), long term memory isn’t always enhanced by rehearsal (maintenance rehearsal only keeps it in short term). The limit should be 7 +- 2 items if unitary, even if stimulus type is different, however if information is in different forms they don’t impair memory for each other. Error also increases with more items, even when lower items than the threshold of 7 +- 2 (suggesting processing limitations rather than item limitations).
What is another possilbe term for short term memory and what does this mean?
Short term memory could also be called working memory, this focues on the active manipulation of information rather than passive maintenance. This working memory has multiple sub components, the central one being the Central executive (manipulates ideas), rehearsal has to be more than just maintenance rehearsal to push something into long term memory.
