memory Flashcards
What are memories generated from?
Past experiences, knowledge gained/learned and thoughts
What is involved in memory?
This involves the encoding, storage and retrieval of information
What is encoding?
The conversion of nerve signals (from the sense organs) into a form that the brain can interpret
How long does information stay in the sensory memory?
A few seconds
What is retrained in the sensory memory?
All the auditory and visual impact
Give some information on the STM (short term memory)
- limited capacity
-info transferred to LTM
-info stored in STM for 30 seconds
-encoded then stored in LTM then later retrieved
-STM has a capacity of 7 items
Why is the STM described as a “working memory”?
It can perform simple cognitive tasts.
What is the serial position effect?
A pattern of memory - person is more likely to remember first and last item compared to middle items in a sequence.
How does primacy allow the first few items to be remembered
Enough time for them to be rehearsed and committed to the LTM
Why does recency allow the last few objects to be remembered?
Their images are still in my STM when I started the test
Why are the intermediates more likely to be forgotten?
The STM is too crowded and new info cannot be rehearsed or encoded into the LTM
What can improve the STM capacity
chunking
Key points of LTM (long term memory)
- unlimited capacity
- holds on to info for a long time
- items transferred to LTM by encoding
What are the 3 types of encoding?
- Rehearsal
- Organisation
- Elaboration
Give detail on “Rehearsal”
Involves repeating the information without applying any meeting
Give detail on “Organisation”
Sorting information into groups
Give detail on “Elaboration”
Building detail around the info, adding meaning and context. (most efficient way pf commiting info to the LTM)
What’s the least/most effective encoding method?
Least - Rehearsal
Most - Elaboration
Identify two ways items can be lost from the STM
decay or displacement
What are contextual cues?
Cues that link back to a time/place when the original information was encoded. An aid to retrieval of information from the LTM.
Who may use contextual cues?
1) psychologists - to explore a person’s previous experiences
2) police - might set up reconstruction to help potential witnesses recall crime details.
