Memory

Question 1

What did Plato suggest about memory? (wax tablet)

Answer 1

When we perceive, hear, or think of something, it’s like imprinting it on the wax. We remember what stays imprinted, but forget what fades or can’t be imprinted.

Question 2

What did Aristotle suggest about memory? (Tabula Rasa)

Answer 2

The mind is compared to a blank slate, where thoughts are like potential writings that haven’t been fully formed or expressed yet.

Question 3

What did Nipher (1878) research?

Answer 3

Memory for numbers and their decay over time.

Question 4

What did Ebbinghaus (1885) research?

Answer 4

Memory for nonsense syllables and decay over time.

Question 5

Describe amnesic patients.

Answer 5

Amnesic patients have long-term memory problems but typically have a normal IQ and normal verbal/spatial short-term memory.

Question 6

What is anterograde amnesia?

Answer 6

Cannot form new memories after brain damage.
- Encoding is impaired.

Question 7

What is retrograde amnesia?

Answer 7

Cannot recall long-term memories formed during a period before trauma.
- Retrieval is impaired.

Question 8

What is short-term memory?

Answer 8

A temporary storage system that holds information for a brief period (seconds to minutes).
- Capacity is around 7 items.
- Information is forgotten if not needed.
- Or transferred to long-term memory.

Question 9

What are examples of models of memory?

Answer 9

• Multi-store model of memory (Atkinson & Shiffrin).
• Working memory model (Baddeley & Hitch).

Question 10

What is the multi-store model of memory?

Answer 10

Suggests memory consists of and passes through three stages:
1. Sensory memory.
2. Short-term memory.
3. Long-term memory.

Question 11

What is a criticism of the multi-store model of memory regarding memory-impaired patients?

Answer 11

If short-term memory is unimpaired, then long-term memory should not be impaired.

Question 12

What is the working model of memory?

Answer 12

Emphasises the active processing and temporary storage of information.

Central Executive:
- Control system that directs attention and coordinates information from other components.

Visuo-Spatial Sketch-Pad:
- Stores and manipulates visual and spatial information.

Phonological Loop:
- Stores and processes auditory and verbal information.

Episodic Buffer:
- Integrates and holds multimodal information.
- Assists in problem solving and comprehension.
- Links to LTM and consicous awareness.