Memory Flashcards
What are the three stages of forming a memory
encoding information
storage of information
retrieval of information
What sort of information forms a memory
information about past experiences, knowledge and thoughts
What des encoding do with the information
encoding is when information is transferred into memory
What is stoarge
the retention of information over a period of time
What is retrieval
the recovery of stored information
What does you sensory memory retain
sensory memories retains all the visual and auditory input received for a few seconds
only selected images and sounds are encoded into short term memory
Comment on the capacity of the short term memory
it holds seven items at any one time, for 30 seconds
if more items go into the STM they displace the previous ones
thereafter items are transferred to long term memory or lost by displacement or decay
retrieval from STM is very accurate
Rehearsal keeps items in STM what is rehearsal
repeating information to yourself several times
What is the serial position egffect
recall is best for the first few and last few items form a sense of facts. Middle items are not remembered well
Why are the first few items remembered well
there has been time to process the information by rehearsal
Why are the last few items remembered well
they are still in the STM
What is displacement
the pushing out of old information by new incoming information
What is decay
the breakdown of a fragile memory pathway formed when a group of neurons briefly become activated
What do all information entering the brain pass through
sensory memory and some images and sounds enter the STM
What is long term memory
thought to have unlimited capacity and holds information for a long time
What is information transferred from STM ro LTM via
organisation
rehearsal
elaboration
What is organisation
related information is grouped together
What is rehearsal
repeating information to yourself several times
What is elaboration
additional information is given
What is an example of shallow encoding
rehearsal
What is retrieval
taking information out of LTM
What is retrieval aided by the use of
contextual cues
What is contextual cues
things that serve as a reminder to the time/occasion when the information was originally encoded
What is the capacity of STM called
memory span
Give an example of a deeper form of encoding
organisation and elaboration are regarded as a deeper form of encoding which leads to improved information retention
