Memory Flashcards
Define and explain : memory, encoding, storage, retrieval and selective attention.
- Memory is the ability to obtain and retain information for later retrieval
- Encoding is processing info to be stored in neural code.
- Storage is retention and maintenance of encoded information over time
- Retrieval- accessing stored info when needed.
- Selective attention- the ability to direct mental resources to relevant info whilst ignoring irrelevant info.
Describe sensory storage, short term storage, and long term storage.
Sensory storage- constantly receiving information
Short term - holds info for immediate use, working memory.
Long term - stores info for access and use at a later time.
Differences in duration and capacity for the 3 memory stores
Sensory 1/4 - 1-2 second. Capacity large capacity
Short term - under 20 seconds. Capacity 7+2 items
Long term - nearly limitless for both
Differentiate between short-term storage and working memory
Short term storage is passive while working memory is active
Explain and apply chunking, maintenance rehearsal and elaborative rehearsal.
Chunking using working memory to organise info into meaningful groups. For example, grouping fruits by seasons.
Maintenance rehearsal- repeating info over and over. For example, repeating a phone number
Elaborative rehearsal - using working memory to relate new info to yourself. For example, if you want to remember hippocampus think of a hippo.
Define primacy effect and recency effect.
Primacy effect - Remember first items of a list better ( LTM)
Recency effect - Remember last items of a list better (STM)
What are schemas and how are they related to long term storage?
They are cognitive structures that aid in the processing and use of information. They are related to LTM storage by helping us relating new information to existing knowledge making it easier to remember and retrieve.
Differences between explicit, episodic, semantic and implicit memory
- Explicit memories are conscious memories that can be verbally described.
- Episodic memories are personally experienced events. For example, what you got for your bday and knowing capital of England.
- Semantic memories is knowledge of facts independent of personal experience.
- Implicit memories are memories you are not conscious of. For example, you may associate a dentist with pain and muscle coordination that makes you ride a bike.
Explain the difference between consolidation and reconsolidation as it relates to memories.
- Consolidation is the initial process of forming a stable memory, while reconsolidation allows for the updating and modification of existing memories
Explain how memories are retrieved including the impact of context- dependent memory effect and state-dependent memory effect.
Context - same context where information was learned
State - same state where information was learned
Impact is - for example, divers recall was best when test was under same conditions in which they had learned the words.
Describes the difference between ways we forget : interference(retroactive and proactive), blocking, and absentmindedness.
Retro - old memories blocked by new memories
Proactive - new memories blocked by old memories
Blocking - retrieval interference from words that are similar in some way.
Absentmindedness - occurs due to lack of attention or encoding
Explain persistance and 5 ways memories can be distorted : memory bias, misattribution, suggestibility, flashbulb memories, and false memories.
- Memory bias is the changing of your memories over time so that they become consistent with your current beliefs.
- Flashbulb memories- vivid memories seem like a flash photo of when we first experienced a surprising event.
- Misattribution occurs when we misremember the time,place, person involved with a memory.
- Suggestibility is when people are given misinformation it affects their memory for an event.
False memories is an imaginary event that never happened.
