Memory Flashcards
What is memory ?
Memory is an active information processing system that receives stores, organises and recovers information
What are the key features of memory
Capacity - how much information can be stored
Duration - for how long is the information stored
Encoding - the process of storing sensory information into a form in which it can be stored
What are the different types of encoding ?
Visual: involves creating a mental image of the information you’re trying to process
Auditory : encoding information verbally repeating the information your trying to process
Semantic: adding meaning or context to the information your trying to process
Sensory memory ?
Information enters through your sensory organs
If you pay attention to this info then it goes to your short term memory
Two types of memory:
Iconic
Echoic
Iconic memory
The visual component of a sensory memory
- allows you to hold an icon an unprocessed image in your mind for a brief period of time
Capacity: theoretically unlimited
Duration: 0.2-0.4 seconds
Echoic memory
The verbal component of sensory memory
Capacity: theoretically unlimited
Duration 3-4 seconds
Longer duration is what allows us to hear spoken language as complete words rather then individual syllables
Short term memory
The most active part of memory which stores a limited amount of information for a limited amount of time.
Encoding: predominantly acoustic
-some visual
Information is transferred to long term memory via rehearsal
What are the types of rehearsal ?
Maintenance
- passive process which is effective at keeping simple information in the short term memory ie continuously repeating a phone number
Elaborative
Active process which is effective on transferring complex. Into the long term memory like creating mnemonics stories mind maps etc
Short term memory duration
Duration - 18-30 seconds
Brown-Peterson technique showed that without rehearsal memory had a limited duration
- participants were shown a series of trigrams and then asked to count back from a certain number for a period of time
The counting back is meant to prevent rehearsal
The long they counted back , less fewer trigrams they could retrieve
Short term memory capacity
7 +/- 2 Pieces of information
Glazier and cunitz - serial position effect
Presented participants a series of numbers and asked them to recall them
Found that participants recalled more of the earlier numbers primary effect) and later number regency effect compared to the middle numbers
Serial position effect disappeared if participants had to wait more than 30s to recall the numbers
Long term memory
The store of memory which can hold a larger amount of information for a long period of time
Capacity : theoretically unlimited
Duration: theoretically forever
Encoding : predominately semantic ( the general meaning is remembered but not the specific details)
Procedural
Implicit /unconscious
- responsible for knowing how to do things ie riding a bike
- less susceptible to being forgotten
Declarative
Requires conscious effort to recall
There are two types
- episodic : storing info about events
- semantic: storing information about the world like general knowledge
Automatic processing
Processing information where you don’t think about it
Effortful processing if the opposite
Retrieval or retention
3 types of retention
- recall, recognition and relearning
Recall
Serial - being asked to retrieve info in order in which it was encoded
Free. - being asked to retrieve as much info as possible in any order
Cued -being asked to retrieve information with the aid of specific clues
Recognition- indenting the correct info among alternatives - multiple choice test
Relearning - learning info again that has been privous stored in LTM if information is relearned faster it indicated it has been privously retained in LTM
