Memory Flashcards
What is the definition of learning?
Relatively permanent change in behaviour due to experience
What is the definition of memory?
An active process that receives, organises, stores and recovers information when needed.
What is synaptic plasticity?
The ability of a synapse to change over time in order to become more efficient
What is long term potentiation
The long term strengthening of synaptic connections
What’s the role of LTP
To create more effective synaptic transmission
What is long term depression?
The long term weakening of synaptic connections
What is the role of LTD?
To create less effective synaptic transmission
This makes room to form new memories
What is synaptogenesis?
The formation of synapses between neurons
What is a key difference between neurotransmitters and neurohormones
- NT released at the synapse, NH released into the bloodstream
- NTs can only act as NTs, NH can act as both NT or NH
- NT message travels quicker than NH (less distance to travel)
Does adrenaline play a role in forming memories?
Yes, adrenaline plays a critical role in consolidating memories which are stressful or emotionally arousing.
What is consolidation?
The process of making newly formed memories stable after learning
What is the role of the amygdala?
Consolidation of implicit memories with emotional components
What is the role of the cerebellum (in forming memory)
Encodes implicit memories created by classical conditioning, requiring motor control, coordination and balance
What is stored in the cerebral cortex
Declarative and procedural memories
What is the role of the hippocampus
Encodes explicit memories from STM to LTM
What is the role of the prefrontal cortex in memory.
Processes STM so they can be sent to the appropriate lobe and linked to LTM
Which part of the brain is responsible for spatial memories?
Parietal lobe
Which part of the brain is responsible for facial recognition?
Occipital lobe
What part of the brain is responsible for auditory information of language?
Temporal lobe
What is brain trauma?
Physical damage to the brain that results in emotional, physical, or behavioural dysfunction
What is included in post operative cognitive decline?
Impairment of memory
Impaired concentration
Impaired language comprehension
What is the role of the left brain
Analytic thought
Logic
Language
Science and math
What is the role of the right brain?
Holistic thought
Intuition
Creativity
Art and music
How does amnesia occur?
Damage to the hippocampus and surrounding areas
What is anterograde amnesia
The inability to form new long term memories
What is retrograde amnesia
Inability to retrieve previously stored memories (can encode memories but can’t retrieve)
What is Alzheimer’s disease?
An incurable and degenerative disease that results from a loss of neurons in the hippocampus and causes memory loss and personality change
What are some symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease
Memory loss (declarative memories)
Personality change
Confusion and disorientation
Repetition
How does Alzheimer’s effect the brains physiology?
Cortical shrinkage Amyloid plaques Tangles Decrease in acetylcholine Atrophy
What is an amyloid plaque?
The area between the neurons turning hard, preventing communication between synapses
What is acetylcholine
Neurotransmitter responsible for forming memories
What is atrophy
The wasting away of brain tissue
What are context dependant cues?
Sensory cues that occured where memories occured, which in future help to retrieve memory
What are state dependant cues?
The internal physiological and psychological cues that occured at the time of memory formation that act as retrieval cues
What is maintenance rehearsal
Simple repetition of information to make sure it is held in STM for longer than 12-30 seconds
What is elaborative rehearsal?
Connects new information to information already stored in LTM in a meaningful way
What are the 4 methods of retention?
Recall
Retrieval
Relearning
Reconstruction
What is recall?
Reproduction of information with a minimal amount of cues
What are the 3 levels of recall?
Free recall
Cued recall
Serial recall
What is free recall?
Recalling of info in no particular order with little to no cues
What is cued recall?
Various prompts are used to assist in retrieval of information
What is serial recall?
Recalling information in the order it was presented
What is the easiest form of recall?
Cued recall
What is the hardest form of recall?
Serial recall
What is recognition?
Identifying the correct information from alternatives e.g. multiple choice questions
Which is harder, recognition or recall?
Recall
What is relearning
Learning information again to assess how much of it was “saved” since the last time it was visited
List the measures of retention from least to most sensitive
Recall = least sensitive (most effort)
Recognition
Relearning = most sensitive (least effort)
What is the Elizabeth Loftus known for?
Her research into leading questions and their manipulation of memories
