memory

Question 1

what is memory

Answer 1

Memory is an active information processing system that processes, organises and retrieves information through acquired learning.

Question 2

encoding, storage and retrieval

Answer 2

Encoding
Changing information into a meaningful form to be represented in memory.

Storage
Retention of information and memories over time
Involves organisation - must be accessible

Retrieval
access previously stored information from long term memory

Question 3

order of the atkinson shiffrin model

Answer 3

incoming sensory information = sensory memory = short term memory = long term memory

Question 4

what is sensory memory

Answer 4

The entry point of memory which very briefly stores raw information detected by the senses.

Question 5

iconic and echoic memory
duration

Answer 5

Iconic memory: Visual
Visual snapshot - 0.2-0.4 of a second
Iconic memory has a very large capacity so it can retain a lot of information.
Continuous smooth image - illusion of movement.

Echoic memory: Auditory
Store large amounts of information - not s much as iconic
Holds 3-4 seconds after stimulus stores.
Allows for comprehension of sounds

Question 6

short term memory
duration and capacity

how does sensory memory move to stm?

Answer 6

Short-term memory (STM) is a store of memory that holds a limited amount of information
that is consciously being attended to and actively manipulated.

duration - 18-30 secs
capacity- 5-9 items

Raw information from the environment is detected by the senses and enters the sensory memory store.If this information has been attended to, then it is converted into a useable form and transferred to short-term memory for conscious processing.

Question 7

encoding and retrieval representation of stm

Answer 7

Transfer information into long term memory is not a passive process - must encode information (maintenance rehearsal = repeating)
Need to bring information from long term memory into short term memory to help encoding - retrieval.

Question 8

what is long term memory

parts of ltm

Answer 8

Long-term memory (LTM) is a store of memory in which a potentially unlimited amount of information is stored for a relatively permanent amount of time. It contains all the information you retain from past events, as well as your knowledge of facts.

explicit - semantic/episodic
implicit - procedura

Question 9

explanatory power of the atkinson shiffrin model

Answer 9

• distinguishes between different stores involved in memory but may be oversimplified
• provides a good understanding of the structure and process of memory but ignores factors such as motivation and strategy to assist in encoding info
• finding support the distinction between stm and ltm ut does not account for individual differences

Question 10

what is explicit memories

Answer 10

those that require conscious retrieval
- episodic and semantic

Question 11

episodic memory

Answer 11

A type of explicit memory that consists of personal experiences or events
Autobiographical experiences -”what”, “where”, “when” of events you have experienced.

Question 12

semantic memory

Answer 12

A type of explicit memory that consists of general knowledge or facts

Question 13

difference between semantic and episodic memory

Answer 13

The difference is in the sense that semantic is the sense of knowing whereas episodic is the sense of experiencing.
A memory can be both semantic and episodic.
Semantic memories extract general knowledge from episodic memories.
Retrieval is harder from episodic memory than semantic memory

Question 14

implicit memory

Answer 14

those that form unconsciously
- procedural
classically conditioned
taste aversion

Question 15

procedural memory

Answer 15

A type of implicit memory that involves knowing how to carry out tasks that are facilitated by motor skills.

Question 16

classically conditioned memories

Answer 16

Classical conditioning is a type of implicit memory. Particularly for fear and anxiety.

Question 17

taste aversion

Answer 17

Feel sick at the sight/smell of some food.
Response is automatic with no conscious awareness. Memory is implicit.

Question 18

the hippocampus

Answer 18

It is a brain structure located in the medial temporal lobe that is primarily involved in encoding explicit memories.

Question 19

3 roles hippocampus has

Answer 19

• Turns short term memory into long term memory but temporarily encoding and processing information to be remembered.
• Crucial role in binding together/forming/encoding different areas of our experience and consolidating these as explicit memories.
  -Assists with retrieval of long term memory and important for spatial memory.

Question 20

what would happen if the hippocampus was destroyed?

Answer 20

Stress, anxiety, depression, head injuries, viruses, alzheimer’s disease
- Anterograde amnesia
A person is unable to create new memories after an incident or has an impaired ability to undertake new learning.
- Retrograde amnesia
Loss of information that was acquired prior to the amnesia event.

Question 21

what is consolidation

Answer 21

The process for making a newly formed memory stable and enduring following a learning experience.

Question 22

what is the amygdala?

Answer 22

retrieve explicit memory and encodes the emotional components of memory.

Question 23

roles of amygdala

Answer 23

• allows for rapid unconscious processing of emotions
• formation of procedural memories
• activation during the retrieval process

Question 24

damage to the amygdala results in

Answer 24

inability to acquire a conditioned emotional response

Question 25

what is the neocortex

Answer 25

a brain structure that stores explicit memories

once episodic and semantic memories are converted into a usable form there are stored in neocortex to be retrieved for later use

Question 26

neural basis of episodic memories

Answer 26

Sensory motor and perceptions are registered by the cortex and information is transmitted to the hippocampus.
Hippocampus binds into an integrated memory trace which is fed back to the neocortex.
Feedback strengthens connections between neurons in the neocortex. (This is LTP)
When retrieving information connections between the neocortex and hippocampus are reconstructed by a cue.

Question 27

neural basis of semantic memories

Answer 27

In the same region as we process experienced, but the temporal lobe has specialised semantic hubs.
Words concepts and meaning - front of temporal lobe
Schemas: how words can be combined to describe knowledge and events - back of temporal lobe
This is how we imagine mental images associated with words
Damage can affect ability to name objects and understand familiar situations

Question 28

what is the basal ganglia

Answer 28

group of brain structures involved in encoding and storing implicit memories - specifically those related to unconscious habits and behaviour of procedural movements and reward pathways

Question 29

damage to neocortex

Answer 29

find out –

Question 30

what is the cerebellum

Answer 30

brain structure involved in encoding and storing implicit memories
balance coordination and motor skills

Question 31

damage to cerebellum

Answer 31

• difficulty to coordinate uscle control
• cannot acquire conditioned response

Question 32

what are autobiographical memories

Answer 32

The component of explicit memory that represents our memories of personally experienced events and self knowledge.

Question 33

what does episodic autobiographical memories do

Answer 33

Provides a first person experience of remembering PAST events and imagining the future

Question 34

what does semantic autobiographical memory do

Answer 34

Builds the stable core of self knowledge and identity over time
This is generalised from EAM

Question 35

what is aphantasia

Answer 35

A variation in human perception where individuals are unable to see visual imagery, it is not considered to be a disorder or disability. It is due to our visual cortex being unable to initiate imagery which can be diagnosed via brain scans.
Causes people to have a reduced ability to recall episodic memories and also causes an inability to imagine the future.

Question 36

what is alzheimers

Answer 36

type of dementia caused by the degeneration of neurons caused by neurofibrillary tangles and build up of amyloid plaques it is characterised by memory decline

Question 37

what causes alzheimers

Answer 37

Amyloid plaques - build up between neurons and disrupt their function
Neurofibrillary tangles - form inside the neuron cell body which interrupts synaptic transmission

Question 38

how does alzheimers affect memory

Answer 38

Retrograde amnesia
The inability to retrieve previously stored episodic and semantic memories

Anterograde amnesia: the inability to form new episodic and semantic memories

Question 39

what are mneumonics

Answer 39

Techniques used to increase our ability to encode, store and retrieve information.
It makes it easier to ensure effective encoding to make sure that information goes beyond sensory memory and is organised and integrated into our LTM

Question 40

3 mneumonic devices in written culture

Answer 40

Acronyms
Pronounceable words formed from the first letters of a group of words

Acrostics
Phrases in which different words are used to remember a sequence.

Method of Loci
Uses a well-learned series of location as retrieval cues for information to be recalled

Question 41

what are songlines

Answer 41

Involves pairing place and information but they are deeply tied to the landscape - more elaborateThe stories told incorporate vivid characters in emotional situations and varied songs, dances, etcA story told in a particular location in a songline will trigger the memory of the details of the story