Long Term Memory

Question 1

Explain the serial position curve.

Answer 1

1. Rehearsal keeps items in STM (primacy)
2. Rehearsal also moves things from STM to LTM (Primacy)
3. Last items are still active in STM (Recency)

Question 2

Contrast retroactive with proactive interference?

Answer 2

Retroactive interference: inhibitory effects of new information on old information
Proactive interference: inhibitory effects of old information on new information

Question 3

What are the medial temporal lobes role in memory?

Answer 3

Important for systems memory consolidation. Was removed in patient H.M.

Question 4

Compare and contrast standard model vs multiple trace theory.

Answer 4

Standard model: hippocampal dependant, but retrieval is hippocampal independant (memories gets stored in the cortex as a memory trace)
Multiple Trace Theory: Hippocampal-dependent for consolidation and hippocampal independent for retrieval but for semantic memories only.

Question 5

What is the process approach?

Answer 5

There is only one type of memory (we just have different processes that classify visual/auditory input). Describes the observations that how we encode information affects the likelihood of retrieval, rather than where/how long it is stored.

Maintenance process keeps information active in STM. Elaborative process links info from STM with that info with that already in LTM. (The latter is better for memory storage because it creates meaningful links to LTM)

Question 6

What are issues that happens at retrieval?

Answer 6

1. Information is available but not accessible
2. Feeling of knowing (familiarity)
3. Tip-of-tongue

Question 7

What is the encoding specificity Theory?

Answer 7

LOP predicts that the deeper the processing during encoding, the better the retrieval after, irrespective of whether you’re using recall or recognition.

Question 8

What types of processing/learning exist at encoding and retrieval?

Answer 8

1. Transfer appropriate processing
2. Context dependent learning
3. State-dependent learning

Question 9

What are ways to improve LTM?

Answer 9

1. Find a way to do elaborative encoding (mnemonics)
2. Organize info into categories/hierarchies
3. Make it personally relevant
4. Generate info yourself
5. Use imagery/distinctive imagery