Memory

Question 1

Memory def

Answer 1

the storage and retrieval of what has been learned or experienced

Question 2

What are the 3 stages of memory?

Answer 2

sensory, short-term, long-term

Question 3

Types of sensory memory, duration, purpose

Answer 3

Iconic: visual memories held up to a second
Echoic: auditory info held up to 2 seconds

Purpose:

• Allows you to make sense of your surroundings
• Gives you time to decide if something is important enough to move to your working memory
  -Vanishes so you don’t feel overwhelmed with every single sensory input

Question 4

Short-term memory duration and influences

Answer 4

Short-term memory is limited to about 7 items for up to 20 seconds if not rehearsed…

It can be influenced by the following:
- Maintenance Rehearsal: repeating info
- Chunking: grouping items together
- Elaborative rehearsal: associating info with previous knowledge
- Primary-Recency Effect: remember first and last part of a list

Question 5

Working Memory def

Answer 5

Another word for short-term memory, but includes both short-term memory and info stored in long-term that is now being recalled

Question 6

Long-term memory def, duration, types

Answer 6

Long-term memory: the storage of info over extended periods of time. Its duration can be up to a lifetime.

Types:
- Semantic: knowledge of language - rules, words, meanings. Share knowledge with others
- Episodic: Memory of one’s life
- Procedural memory: memory of learned skills that does to require conscious recollection
Declarative memory: memory of knowledge that can be called forth as needed

Question 7

The memory process (3 stages)

Answer 7

1. Encoding
2. Storage
3. Retrieval

Question 8

Storage

Answer 8

the process by which info is maintained over a period of time

Question 9

Encoding

Answer 9

the transforming of information so the nervous system can process it

senses can encode memory:
- acoustic codes (say something out loud
- visual codes (mental picture)
- semantic codes (using language to encode a memory or using mnemonics which involve our use of language)

Question 10

Retrieval

Answer 10

info is brought to front of mind from storage

Question 11

Retrieving information (process)

Answer 11

1. Recognition
2. Recall
3. Relearning
4. Forgetting

Question 12

Recognition

Answer 12

retrieve info based on recognition
ex. remembering an old teachers name if you heard it, multiple choice tests, etc.

Question 13

Recall

Answer 13

memory retrieval in which a person reconstructs previously learned material (jeopardy)

Question 14

how can recall be altered?

Answer 14

1. reconstructive memory: memory that has been simplified, enriched, or distorted, depending on an individual’s experiences and attitudes.
2. Eidetic memory: photographic memory (people with eidetic memory DO NOT reconstruct memory)
3. State-dependant learning: when you recall info easily when in the same environment you learned it in

Question 15

schema

Answer 15

conceptual frameworks a person uses to make sense of the world

Answer 16

CONFABULATION is a type of reconstructive memory where a person remembers something that never happened.

Question 17

Relearning

Answer 17

ex. relearning a poem or song you learned when you were a child (often procedural and declarative)

Question 18

Forgetting

Answer 18

Interference
1. Decay: fading away of memory over time

2. Interference: blockage of a memory by previous or subsequent memories (talking while someone is trying to remember a list)
   - proactive interference: earlier memory blocks new memory (old phone number blocks new phone number)
   -retroactive interference: new memory blocks old memory (can’t remember old lock combo after learning new one)
3. Repression: subconsciously blocking memories to protect oneself from embarrassing or frightening experiences
4. Amnesia: loss of memory. Can be caused by physical or psychological conditions (also infant amnesia)

Question 19

Proactive and Retroactive Interference

Answer 19

Proactive interference: earlier memory blocks new memory (old phone number blocks new phone number)

Retroactive interference: new memory blocks old memory (can’t remember old lock combo after learning new one)

Question 20

Improving memory

Answer 20

Elaborate Rehearsal: linking of new info to material you already know
2. Mnemonic Devices: techniques for using associations to memorize and retrieve info