Memory Flashcards
Memory
The process that allow us to record (encode), store, and later retrieve experiences and information
3 stages of memory
- Encoding
- Consolidation (long-term storage)
- Retrieval
3 main components of memory
- Sensory memory
- Short-term or working memory
- Long-term memory
Sensory memory
Briefly holds incoming sensory information
–> iconic storage: visual information (<1 sec)
–> ehoic storage: auditory information (several seconds)
Short-term/working memory
Holds a limited amount of information temporarily
Critical for ongoing processing of events and thoughts
Lasts for 12-30 seconds, but can be prolonged by rehearsal
Capacity is limited
Steps “active process” working memory
- Phonological loop
- Visuospatial sketchpad
- episodic buffer
- Central executive
Phonological loop
Stores mental representations of sounds
It maintains information via rehearsal
A loopin seconds rather than items
Explains why longer words are harder to memorize than shorter words
Visuospatial sketchpad
Stores visual and spatial information
Episodic buffer
Integrates and manipulates information from the phonological and visuospatial sketchpad
Words are chuncked into meaninful phrases
Central executive
Directs overall action, controls the focus of attention, and integrates information in the episodic buffer
Long-term memory
Can persist for much longer periods, often for life
Must be consolidated to persist for this long
3 forms of encoding
- Structural encoding: general features of a stimulus
- Phonological encoding: specific (linguistic) features of an object
- Semantic encoding: remembering what the stimulus means
Definition rehearsal
The (internal) reiteration of information with the intention of consolidating it
Maintenance rehearsal
Rote memorization of information
Uses structural or phonological encoding
Long-term memory as an associative network
Each concept is represented by a node
Lines represent associations between concepts
Shorter lines indicate stronger associations
Activation of one node/network leads to spreading activation of related concepts
Retrieval cue
A stimulus, whether internal or external, that activates information stored in long-term memory
Amnesia
Refers to a loss of, or inability to form, long-term memories
Can be caused by: trauma, disease, surgery, dementia
2 forms of amnesia
- Retrograde amnesia: previously consolidated memories can no longer be retrieved
- Anterograde amnesia: new memories cannot be formed or consolidated
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Persistent, recurrent memory for traumatic events, leading to chronic stress and anxiety
(PTSD) Memory is a cyclical process
- Initial encoding
- Subsequent retrieval
- Secondary encoding, retrieval, etc.
This process can amplify the emotional response, and as a result these memories are difficult to suppres –> can dominate a person’s daily cognition
Important brain regions long-term memory
Hippocampus and surrouding areas are critical for consolidation of declarative long-term memory
Important brain regions sensory and working memory
- Processed in the sensory areas of the cerebral cortex
- Activates a netwrok of cortical areas located across different lobes of the brain
- Prefrontal cortex plays a key role (in executive control)
