Memory 1 Flashcards
identify ways of testing memory
- free recall
- cued recall
- recognition
- explicit
- implicit
explain free recall as a way of testing memory
subject reproducing material from memory with no restrictions
explain cued recall as a way of testing memory
subject reproducing a particular item from memory when provided with a specific cue (this can act as a prompt for memory)
explain recognition as a way of testing memory
subject decides whether they have seen something previously when presented with item again
common types of recognition include:
2AFC
4AFC
Yes/No recognition
what are explicit memory tests?
tests that test conscious memory
what are implicit memory test?
tests that done where ppt does not know memory is being tested
memory inferred through a change in behaviour
example:
learning and re-learning a word list
the change in behaviour would be being able to recall words faster
the relearning = implicit memory
what types of memory are there according to William James (1890)
- primary memory
- secondary memory
define primary memory
an observation that when we experience something, it remains in our mind for a moment
define secondary memory
where information leaves unconscious and brought back through recall
identify 2 types of memory that are examples of primary memories
sensory memory
short term memory
these are things that are being held in consciousness
define episodic memory
memory of events that have happened to you
long-term memory is thought to be a form of episodic memory
define semantic memory
memory of knowledge of things that are important to you
how long does sensory memory last?
few hundred milliseconds
how long does short term memory last?
info held in stm for 10-20 seconds but then either transferred to ltm or forgotten about
identify features of the Modal Multi Store or Memory
(Atkinson & Shiffrin, 1968)
describes clear split between 3 memory systems
sensory register
short term store
long term store
according to the MSM, what is the sensory register?
this is where brain gets information from sensory stores (iconic (visual) memory, echoic (sound) memory)
according to the MSM, what is the short term store
this is where primary memory is held for seconds
maintained by rehearsal
has a limited capacity (7+/- 2)
limited duration
according to the MSM, what is the long term store
this is where secondary memory is stored
unlimited capacity
unlimited duration
what evidence is there to support idea that sensory register and short term memory are separate stores
(Jevons, 1871) - numerical discriminations, beans in a box
Jevons (1871)
- threw beans into a white box
- set the task of asking how many beans landed in box
- answer question immediately
- noticed he was able to complete task accurately up to 8-9 beans
- anymore than that, would not be able to recall how many beans present
CONCLUSION
- there is a capacity to short term memory
what evidence is there to support the idea that sensory register and short term memory are separate stores?
(Averback, 1963) - tachistoscope, dots
- used a tachistoscope
- displayed patterns of dots for brief intervals
- ## shortly afterwards, erased it with another patterns of dots
what evidence is there to support the idea that sensory register and short term memory are separate stores?
(Averback, 1963) - tachistoscope, dots
- used a tachistoscope
- displayed patterns of dots for brief intervals
- shortly afterwards, erased it with another pattern of dots
- asked how many dots there are
- very brief exposure (40ms) ppts were able to correctly identify if 2 dots presented
- if 3 dots presented ppts only 50% correct (when given 40ms exposure)
- there is a limit around 150ms
- when exposed to dots for 150ms, ppts can accurately count up to 8 items
- if given longer exposure time, accuracy is not improved
CONCLUSION:
- short term memory has capacity to hold up to 8/9 items
what are tachistoscopes?
a device for presenting things in a very controlled way
What did Sperling (1960) research?
conducted partial report procedure into measuring iconic memory and sensory store
iconic memory - type of sensory memory that stores images for a fraction of a second
Outline Sperling (1960) study
- presented ppts with a grid of 12 items
- when asked to recall whole grid of 12 items, ppts could only recall 4/5 items
- when asked to immediately recall one row of four, ppts could recall close to 100% for that row
- ppts were instructed which row to recall by a tone
- high freq. tone = top row
- low freq. tone = bottom row
- if tone/recall cue was delayed by 1 second, recall performance goes back down to 30% (as if been asked to recall whole grid)
CONCLUSION:
- shows sensory stores are special and different
- allow us to hold all information but will decay rapidly
identify issues with Sperling’s (1960) research
- output interference says that you can remember all 12 items, up until you try to reproduce them
as you start to recall all 12, the first ones recalled interferes with one of the other ones and gets through the memory
- issue with tone cues to cue rows and not individual
if cued for individual items instead of whole row, you can estimate that visual memory is as high as 12 items (whole grid)
perhaps capacity is higher, can hold onto more info than suggested
- duration estimates are dependent on methodology used
- Nairne questioned whether there was a need for a separate store between the memory stores
