LTM: Encoding, Retrieval, Consolidation

Question 1

Two types of rehearsal used to encode information into LTM

Answer 1

1. Maintenance rehearsal

2. Elaborative rehearsal

Question 2

Maintenance rehearsal

Answer 2

Involves repetition without consideration of meaning or connections.
Results in poor encoding, therefore poor memory

Question 3

Elaborative rehearsal

Answer 3

Involves thinking about the meaning of information and making connections

Question 4

Levels of processing theory states that…

Answer 4

memory is better when processing is deep than when processing is shallow

Question 5

Shallow processing

Answer 5

Repetition without attention to meaning. Associated with maintenance rehearsal

Question 6

Deep processing

Answer 6

Close attention to meaning and connection. Associated with elaborative rehearsal

Question 7

Paired-associate learning was used to…

Answer 7

conclude that forming visual images helps to remember words

Question 8

Self-reference effect

Answer 8

Memory for a word is improved by relating the word to the self

Question 9

Generation effect

Answer 9

Memory is better when people are generating it rather than passively receiving it

Question 10

What are the 6 ways to effectively study?

Answer 10

1. Elaborate
2. Generate and test
3. Organize
4. Take breaks
5. Avoid “illusions of learning”
6. Be an “active” note-taker

Question 11

What are some types of retrieval cues?

Answer 11

Words, smells, sounds, locations, or other stimuli that help us to remember

Question 12

Retrieval cues are more effective when they are…

Answer 12

self-generated

Question 13

Encoding specificity

Answer 13

A way to match retrieval and encoding conditions

Matching the context in which encoding and retrieval occur

Question 14

State-dependent learning

Answer 14

A way to match retrieval and encoding conditions

Memory is best when a person is in the same mental state for encoding and retrieval

Question 15

Transfer-appropriate processing

Answer 15

A way to match retrieval and encoding conditions

Retrieval is better if the same cognitive tasks are involved for both encoding and retrieval

Question 16

Consolidation

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Synaptic consolidation

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Systems consolidation

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Considering the characteristics of systems consolidations, hippocampus is only crucial during…

Answer 19

early stages of memory

Question 20

Retrograde amnesia

Answer 20

Inability to remember events that happened before injury

Question 21

Anterograde amnesia

Answer 21

Inability to form new memories after injury

Question 22

Graded nature of retrograde amnesia

Answer 22

Amnesia is most severe for events that were closer in time to the injury

Question 23

Multiple trace model of consolidation

Answer 23

Contrasts with the standard model of memory.

States that the hippocampus is involved with the retrieval of remote memories, especially episodic

Question 24

How does sleep enhance consolidation?

Answer 24

No distractions to interfere

Memories are stronger if people expect to be tested the next day

Question 25

Reconsolidation

Answer 25

When a memory is retrieved it becomes reactivated. So, it must be consolidated again. It can be modified or eliminated

Question 26

Reconsolidation: Famous Rat Experiment

Answer 26

Demonstrated for the first time that retrieving a memory can open it to being changed

Question 27

Reconsolidation in Humans: Experiment

Answer 27

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

Question 28

Reconsolidation and PTSD

Answer 28

Reactivation of traumatic memory followed by reconsolidating can help alleviate symptoms of PTSD