LTM: Encoding, Retrieval, Consolidation Flashcards
Two types of rehearsal used to encode information into LTM
- Maintenance rehearsal
2. Elaborative rehearsal
Maintenance rehearsal
Involves repetition without consideration of meaning or connections.
Results in poor encoding, therefore poor memory
Elaborative rehearsal
Involves thinking about the meaning of information and making connections
Levels of processing theory states that…
memory is better when processing is deep than when processing is shallow
Shallow processing
Repetition without attention to meaning. Associated with maintenance rehearsal
Deep processing
Close attention to meaning and connection. Associated with elaborative rehearsal
Paired-associate learning was used to…
conclude that forming visual images helps to remember words
Self-reference effect
Memory for a word is improved by relating the word to the self
Generation effect
Memory is better when people are generating it rather than passively receiving it
What are the 6 ways to effectively study?
- Elaborate
- Generate and test
- Organize
- Take breaks
- Avoid “illusions of learning”
- Be an “active” note-taker
What are some types of retrieval cues?
Words, smells, sounds, locations, or other stimuli that help us to remember
Retrieval cues are more effective when they are…
self-generated
Encoding specificity
A way to match retrieval and encoding conditions
Matching the context in which encoding and retrieval occur
State-dependent learning
A way to match retrieval and encoding conditions
Memory is best when a person is in the same mental state for encoding and retrieval
Transfer-appropriate processing
A way to match retrieval and encoding conditions
Retrieval is better if the same cognitive tasks are involved for both encoding and retrieval
Consolidation
Process that transforms new memories from a fragile state, in which they can be disrupted, to a more permanent state, in which they are resistant to disruption
Synaptic consolidation
Structural changes at the synapse that happen rapidly over a period of minutes or hours.
Repeated activity strengthens the synapse
Long-term potentiation: enhanced firing of neurons after repeated stimulation
Systems consolidation
Gradual reorganization of circuits within brain regions. Takes place on a long timescale.
Standard model of consolidation
Overtime connections between cortical areas strengthen and connections between hippocampus and cortical areas weaken
Considering the characteristics of systems consolidations, hippocampus is only crucial during…
early stages of memory
Retrograde amnesia
Inability to remember events that happened before injury
Anterograde amnesia
Inability to form new memories after injury
Graded nature of retrograde amnesia
Amnesia is most severe for events that were closer in time to the injury
Multiple trace model of consolidation
Contrasts with the standard model of memory.
States that the hippocampus is involved with the retrieval of remote memories, especially episodic
How does sleep enhance consolidation?
No distractions to interfere
Memories are stronger if people expect to be tested the next day
Reconsolidation
When a memory is retrieved it becomes reactivated. So, it must be consolidated again. It can be modified or eliminated
Reconsolidation: Famous Rat Experiment
Demonstrated for the first time that retrieving a memory can open it to being changed
Reconsolidation in Humans: Experiment
Reminder group and non-reminder group.
Reminder group was presented with a list of objects on Monday (List A) and asked to remember them for later.
On Wednesday they were asked to remember the initial testing procedure and then presented with a new list of objects (List B). They then had to recall list B objects.
On Friday they were asked to recall List A objects. They recalled 36% List A, and 24% List B.
Different from non-reminder group in that they were not asked to remember testing procedure. They were more successful at recalling List A objects on Friday.
Conclusion: When the reminder group thought back to the original List A session, List A became vulnerable to change. The reminder reactivated memory for List A and allowed List B objects to be added
Reconsolidation and PTSD
Reactivation of traumatic memory followed by reconsolidating can help alleviate symptoms of PTSD
