Memory Flashcards
Capacity
Capacity, Duration and Coding
The amount of data a store can hold
Serial recall
Capacity, Duration and Coding
A method of testing memory by asking participants to ask them to repeat information in order (usually a list of numbers)
Duration
Capacity, Duration and Coding
The length of time a store can hold data
Coding
Capacity, Duration and Coding
The way in which information is changed in order to be stored in memory
Sensory memory
Multistore Model of Memory
The first store in the MSM. Picks up information from the senses for a very limited time
Short term memory
Multistore Model of Memory
A temporary memory store which holds information that has had attention paid to it for roughly 18-30 seconds
Long term memory
Multistore Model of Memory
A permanent and virtually unlimited memory store from the MSM
Maintenance rehearsal
Multistore Model of Memory
Repeating information over and over again to transfer from STM to LTM
Decay
Multistore Model of Memory
When a memory disappears over time
Displacement
Multistore Model of Memory
When a memory store runs out of capacity and information is ‘pushed out’ by other information
Retrieval
Multistore Model of Memory
When information is recalled from LTM back to STM
Central executive
Working Memory Model
The master store of the WMM, responsible for directing information to the appropriate slave system
Phonological loop
Working Memory Model
A slave system of the WMM used for processing sounds and auditory information
Visuospatial sketchpad
Working Memory Model
A slave system of the WMM used for processing visual and spatial informatio
Episodic buffer
Working Memory Model
The most recently added slave system of the WMM, responsible for integrating information to make sense for the LTM
Semantic memory
Types of LTM
Memories of the meaning of things
Episodic memories
Types of LTM
Memories of events
Procedural memories
Types of LTM
Memories of skills and processes
Explicit/Declarative memories
Types of LTM
Memories that you have to consciously think about, including episodic and semantic
Implicit/Non-declarative memories
Types of LTM
Memories that are unconscious, and do not need to be explicitly thought about, including procedural
Interference
Explanations for forgetting
An explanation for forgetting that claims information is lost due to confusion with other, similar information
Proactive interference
Explanations for forgetting
When old information affects our ability to learn new information
Retroactive interference
Explanations for forgetting
When new information affects our ability to remember old information
Retrieval Failure
Explanations for forgetting
When information is unable to be transferred from LTM to STM due to a lack of cues
Context dependant forgetting
Explanations for forgetting
An explanation of why trying to recall something in a different situation to when you learnt it is difficult
State dependent forgetting
Explanations for forgetting
An explanation of why trying to recall something in a different mental state or emotion to when you learnt it is difficult
Misleading questions
Eyewitness Testimony
Incorrect information/ideas presented to a witness, usually after the event. Examples include leading questions and post-event discussion
Leading question
Eyewitness Testimony
A question which implies or favours a particular answer - e.g. ‘Was he wearing a brown jacket?’
Post event discussion
Eyewitness Testimony
The idea that your memory of an event can be affected by talking to people about it after the event, perhaps due to memory conformity
Anxiety
Eyewitness Testimony
A factor affecting EWT - the stress a witness felt during the event
Weapon focus
Eyewitness Testimony
The theory that people tend to focus on threatening objects rather than faces
Report everything
Eyewitness Testimony
Asking the witness to recall every aspect of an event, even if it seems irrelevant
Cognitive interview
Eyewitness Testimony
A technique for improving eye witness testimony
Change perspective
Eyewitness Testimony
A cognitive interview technique where the witness is asked to recall the events from another witness’ point of view
Change order
Eyewitness Testimony
A cognitive interview technique where the witness is asked to recall events in a non-chronological order to disrupt schema
Context reinstatement
Eyewitness Testimony
When the witness is asked to put themselves back in the same mental state they were in during an event
