memory Flashcards
what are the 3 key components of memory?
- encoding
-storage
-retrieval
what is encoding?
how information gets into the memory
-attention is critical
what are the main types of encoding?
- shallow - structural (physical appearance- eg colour of word)
-intermediate - phonemic (sound eg rhythmic words or no of syllables)
-deep - semantic (meaning - understanding, connections w/ existing knowledge)
what level of encoding is better for longer lasting memory codes ie better recall?
deeper levels
what is storage?
how information is maintained in the memory
what is the multi-store model of memory?
- sensory store
-short term memory
-long term memory
how long does information last in sensory memory?
- lasts for ms or seconds depending on stimulus type
how long does short term memory information last?
info lasts for about 20 seconds
how long does long term memory information last?
unlimited capacity - info lasts indefinitely
what is sensory memory?
auditory, tactile or visual information preserved momentarily
what can extend the duration of short term memory storage?
rehearsal eg verbal repetition
what is retrieval?
how information is recovered from the memory
what are the issues with memory retrieval?
- not an exact replica
-can be distorted by unrelated events
-misinformation effect - eg misleading post-event information etc
what are examples of factors that affect retrieval?
-time - most forgetting occurs immediately after memorisation
-meaningfulness increases recall
-retrieval methods used eg quizzes, flashcards, teaching other people
why do we forget information?
- information not encoded properly due to lack of attention
-memory fades with time due to decay in physiological mechanisms
-interference - ie competition with other info
-retrieval failure - tip of the tongue phenomenon
-motivated forgetting - people bury unpleasant, painful memories deep in unconscious mind
what is pseudo forgetting?
where you are unable to remember something simply because you did not learn it in the first place!
what is amnesia?
partial or total memory loss
what is retrograde amnesia?
-inability to remember events that happened prior to onset - ie retrieval failure
what is anterograde amnesia?
inability to take in new factual information or remember day to day events
what is post-traumatic amnesia?
- combines both retrograde and anterograde
-period of retrograde shrinks and period of anterograde determines classification of head injury eg mild, moderate etc
what are examples of the causes of amnesia?
-brain injury
-drugs
-encephalitis- swollen brain
-alcoholism
-severe emotional trauma
-alzheimers disease
how is the working memory/ STM affected by Alzheimer’s disease?
- intact at first BUT increased sensitivity to distraction
how is long term memory affected by Alzheimer’s disease? compare declarative semantic vs declarative episodic
1) declarative (semantic/factual memory) - difficulty with language & recall of conceptual info eg clock
2) episodic - among 1st sign & symptoms - forgetfulness - missed appointments, recent memories are more likely to be lost
what are examples of things you can do to encourage encoding?
- chunking information into categories eg treatment steps, side effects & don’t present too much info at once
-give most important info early and summarise at the end - repeat key information
-provide recall cues eg diagrams and visuals of exercises etc
