Memory Flashcards
Identify the 3 stages and 3 components of memory
3 stages: encoding, consolidating, retreival
3 components: sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory
Describe sensory memory and explain an experimental approach to observe it
Sensory memory holds incoming sensory information. It has 2 types of storage: echoic, auditory info, and iconic, visual info.
An experimental approach is Sperling’s experiment. Participants have to look at a screen and then they are presented with rows of letters for 1/20th of a second. The screen turns blank and they have to immediately repeat as many letters as possible.
Describe short-term memory and explain how it can be observed
Short-term memory lasts 12-30 seconds but can be prolonged by rehearsal. It holds a limited amount of info temporarily. It is critical for the ongoing processing of events and thoughts.
It can be observed using a short-term memory letters experiment. Participants are shown some letters that they have to read by themselves. Then, they have to say them aloud. They are shown the letters a second time and must say them around again. It can be observed that by repetition, they were able to say more letters than the first time.
Identify and describe the components of Baddeley’s model of working memory.
Central executive- directs overall action, controls the focus of attention, integrates information in the episodic buffer
Visuospatial sketchpad- stores visual and spatial info
Episodic Buffer- integrates and manipulates info from the phonological and visuospatial sketchpad. Words are given meaning
Phonological loop- stores mental representations of sounds, Maintain info via rehearsal
Articulatory rehearsal system
Explain primacy and recency effects, and how they relate to the components of the memory
Primavy effect= people have a good memory for items at the beginning of the list
Recency effect= people have a good memory for items at the end of the list
These effects reflect the distinction between STM and LTM. Primacy reflects LTM, and recency reflect STM.
Identify the different types of long-term memory
Declarative memory= Semantic memory + Episodic memory
Procedural memory
Describe 3 levels of processing underlying memory encoding, and explain which are more effective
Structural encoding (shallow)= general features of the stimuli
Phonological encoding (deeper)= specific linguistic features of a stimulus
Semantic encoding (deepest)= remembering the meaning of the stimulus
The deeper levels are more effective because they lead to better retrieval.
Explain how rehearsal relates to memory encoding and consolidation
Rehearsal is the reiteration of information with the intention of consolidation it
Maintanance rehearsal uses structural and phonological encoding
Elaborative rehearsal uses semantic encoding, allows to attach meaning.
Explain how memory can be represented in associative networks
LTM can be modelled as associative networks. Each concept is represented by a code. Lines represent an association between concepts. Shorter lines indicate stronger associations. Activation of one network leads to a spreading activation of related concepts. Neighbouring networks are likely controlled by top-down modulation. Associative networks are likely represented by populations of neurons responding to similar stimuli.
Identify and describe the major factors influencing how well we can retrieve memories
Retrieval cue: a stimulus whether internal or external, that activates info stored in long-term memory.
Similar context, state or mood to that where encoding appeared leads to netter retrieval. Positive events are more likely recalled when one is happy, and negative when one is sad. Memories of arousal, emotions, and stress are better recalled.
Identify and describe some important memory disorders.
Amnesia= a loss of or inability to form long-term memories. There are two types, Retrograde, when you cannot remember previously consolidated memories, and anterograde, where you cannot form or consolidate new memories.
PTSD= recurrent memory for traumatic events, leading to chronic stress and anxiety. Memory consolidation is a cyclical process: initial encoding, retrieval, secondary encoding, and retrieval….. This process can amplify the emotional response, and as a result, these memories are very different to suppress.
Dementia= progressive decline in cognitive abilities. Particularly in Alhzheimer’s type of dementia, this decline begins with a loss in the ability to retrieve LTM
Identify the main brain regions underlying STM and LTM foundation
Prefrontal cortex, Frontal cortex, Thalamus, Amygdala, Hippocampus, Cerebellum
Explain how long-term plasticity is a potential neuronal mechanism of memory formation
The neural basis of memory formation is likely through a mechanism called long-term plasticity. This is a lasting change in the sensitivity of a neuron to inputs that cause it to fire action potentials. Long-term potentiation means increased sensitivity and long-term depression means decreased sensitivity. Existing axons form new synapses with the postsynaptic cell. New axons are also produced by the presynaptic cell.
