Memory Flashcards
What are the 3 stores of the multi-store model of memory?
. Sensory Register (SR)
. Short term memory (STM)
. Long term memory (LTM)
What are the two distinctive features of the MSM?
Each store is unitary - each store is not subdivided but is its complete own store
The model is linear - the flow of information travels in one direction (SR to STM to LTM)
Tell me about the history of the MSM?
. Developed in 1967 by Atkinson and Shiffrin
. First ever model that tried to explain how human memory works, laying scientific foundations for future research into memory
. Currently replaced by WMM
. also known as the ‘modal model’ as it was the most used model of memory for a long time
Why are theoretical models such as the MSM needed?
As you can’t physically see memory, so you can only use a template that allows you to infer what is going on in someone’s head.
How do we know that certain regions of the brain are responsible for the different parts/stores of memory?
Cognitive neuroscience brain scans
Briefly explain how the MSM works?
. Incoming stimuli from your 5 senses enters your SR
. you must pay attention to the info in one of the sensory stores for the info to make it to the STM.
- if you don’t pay attention, the info can only stay in the SR for milliseconds
. Information you pay attention to is transferred to your STM and must be dealt with within 30 seconds.
. Information must be processed before going to the LTM, meaning the information must be rehearsed, otherwise it is completely discarded.
. You cannot retain info you haven’t understood
What is meant by processing information with memory?
Subvocal repetition = silently repeating words that are said to you in your head
What are the two forms of rehearsal?
Elaborate rehearsal - rehearsal that is strong enough to carry info from STM to LTM
Maintenance rehearsal - repeatedly rehearsing your STM info until elaborate rehearsal can take place as neural pathways are strong enough
Briefly explain the science behind how memories are created?
When you come across new info, an electrical signal is sent across synapses, creating a new neural pathway that is initially fragile (can be forgotten easily) through the use of chemical (neurotransmitters)
- if you keep getting told new info over and over, too many fragile neural pathways will be created
- if you consolidate the info you have as a fragile pathway, the neural pathways will be strengthened and get closer to your LTM
What are the two ways of information being encoded?
Semantically = by meaning
Acoustically = by sound
Explain how info is encoded in the STM?
Info can be encoded here acoustically, just by the sounds of words, they don’t have to be understood
Explain how info is encoded in the LTM?
Info here is encoded semantically, it must have meaning/be understood
What is maintenance rehearsal?
When Atkinson and Shiffrin proposed a direct relationship between the number of repetitions of rehearsal in the STM with the strength of the LTM
We often believe there were things we have forgotten from our LTM, but what does the MSM show is actually happening?
Either:
. You didn’t strengthen your neural pathways (make it permanent through consolidation)
. You just can’t find the info
What is meant by displacement of information?
As the STM has a max capacity of 5-9 items, new STM info will displace old STM info once max capacity is reached
How is info retrieved from the LTM according to MSM?
It must first be passed back through the STM before the info is available for use and retrieval
What did Sperling (1960) do?
. Presented a grid of letters for less than a second (so it enters short term memory)
. Participants had to record the letters they saw
What were the findings and conclusions from Sperling (1960)?
Average of 4 letters recorded per person
Found information about duration of sensory register: info decays from SR in about one second or less (often milliseconds)
As we can only attend to some items (limited capacity), many of the items decay before we can report them all
What happened in Jacob’s digit span experiment?
Had to read digits out loud as they increased in digit span every time (prevented subvocal repetition so information stayed in the short term memory). Did same for letters
What were the findings of Jacob’s digit span experiment?
We have an average digit span of between 5-9
- mean span for digits was 9.3
- mean span for letters was 7.3
Why did Jacob’s argue the mean digit span for letters was lower?
There are more letters than digits 0-9
What does Jacob’s digit span experiment tell us about capacity of STM?
Has a capacity of 5-9 items before it seemingly becomes full up
What did Miller develop in 1956?
Reviewed Jacob’s Digit Span experiment and created Miller’s Magic 7
What did Miller’s Magic 7 find after reviewing Jacob’s research?
. Our STM capacity is similar for numbers, letters and even words - it can be represented as :
- capacity of STM = 7+-2 items