memory

Question 1

what are the 3 key components of memory?

Answer 1

• encoding
  -storage
  -retrieval

Question 2

what is encoding?

Answer 2

how information gets into the memory
-attention is critical

Question 3

what are the main types of encoding?

Answer 3

• 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)

Question 4

what level of encoding is better for longer lasting memory codes ie better recall?

Answer 4

deeper levels

Question 5

what is storage?

Answer 5

how information is maintained in the memory

Question 6

what is the multi-store model of memory?

Answer 6

• sensory store
  -short term memory
  -long term memory

Question 7

how long does information last in sensory memory?

Answer 7

• lasts for ms or seconds depending on stimulus type

Question 8

how long does short term memory information last?

Answer 8

info lasts for about 20 seconds

Question 9

how long does long term memory information last?

Answer 9

unlimited capacity - info lasts indefinitely

Question 10

what is sensory memory?

Answer 10

auditory, tactile or visual information preserved momentarily

Question 11

what can extend the duration of short term memory storage?

Answer 11

rehearsal eg verbal repetition

Question 12

what is retrieval?

Answer 12

how information is recovered from the memory

Question 13

what are the issues with memory retrieval?

Answer 13

• not an exact replica
  -can be distorted by unrelated events
  -misinformation effect - eg misleading post-event information etc

Question 14

what are examples of factors that affect retrieval?

Answer 14

-time - most forgetting occurs immediately after memorisation
-meaningfulness increases recall
-retrieval methods used eg quizzes, flashcards, teaching other people

Question 15

why do we forget information?

Answer 15

• 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

Question 16

what is pseudo forgetting?

Answer 16

where you are unable to remember something simply because you did not learn it in the first place!

Question 17

what is amnesia?

Answer 17

partial or total memory loss

Question 18

what is retrograde amnesia?

Answer 18

-inability to remember events that happened prior to onset - ie retrieval failure

Question 19

what is anterograde amnesia?

Answer 19

inability to take in new factual information or remember day to day events

Question 20

what is post-traumatic amnesia?

Answer 20

• combines both retrograde and anterograde
  -period of retrograde shrinks and period of anterograde determines classification of head injury eg mild, moderate etc

Question 21

what are examples of the causes of amnesia?

Answer 21

-brain injury
-drugs
-encephalitis- swollen brain
-alcoholism
-severe emotional trauma
-alzheimers disease

Question 22

how is the working memory/ STM affected by Alzheimer’s disease?

Answer 22

• intact at first BUT increased sensitivity to distraction

Question 23

how is long term memory affected by Alzheimer’s disease? compare declarative semantic vs declarative episodic

Answer 23

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

Question 24

what are examples of things you can do to encourage encoding?

Answer 24

• 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