Memory (2022) Flashcards
describe LTM
LTM consists of 3 types: episodic, semantic, procedural
split into declarative (episodic and semantic) and non declarative (procedural)
episodic memory
memory of events
semantic memory
memory of what things mean
procedural memory
memory of how to do things
declarative
episodic and semantic memory
non declarative
procedural memory
give 3 evaluation points of LTM
STRENGTH - LTM has specific locations in the brain
STRENGTH - supported by amnesiacs
WEAKNESS - too simple
elaborate strength of LTM (LTM has specific locations in the brain)
LTM has specific locations in the brain
Brain scans show that different areas have different functions e:g motor area shows procedural memory
elaborate weakness of LTM (too simple)
LTM is too simple
Distinctive types of LTM are difficult to separate so this may be a oversimplification
elaborate strength of LTM (supported by amnesiacs)
Supported by amnesiacs
Clive Wearing lost most of his semantic memory but retained his procedural memory
This shows different types of LTM are stored in different places
serial position effect
The tendency to remember words at the beginning and end of a list more than the middle
‘Serial position curve’ describes the recall if plotted on a graph
primacy effect
The tendency to remember words at the beginning of a list more as they have been rehearsed (LTM)
recency effect
The tendency to remember words at the end of a list more as they have been heard recently (STM)
aim of Murdock’s serial position curve study
To see if recall was affected by position of words in a list
method of Murdock’s serial position curve study
16 participants listened to 20 word lists of varying length (10-40w) and were asked to recall after each list. They were given 90 seconds to recall.
results of Murdock’s serial position curve study
Recall was related to position in the list
Higher recall for words at the beginning (primacy)
Higher recall for words at the end of list (recency)
conclusion of Murdock’s serial position curve study
Shows the serial position effect and supports MSM
give 3 evaluation points of Murdock’s serial position curve study
STRENGTH - lab experiment
STRENGTH - supporting research
WEAKNESS - artificial task
elaborate strength of Murdock’s serial position curve study (lab experiment)
Lab experiment
There was a high level of control and firm conclusions can be made
Position of words does affect recall
elaborate strength of Murdock’s serial position curve study (supporting research)
Supporting research
Carlesimo et al found that some amnesiacs can’t store LTM and don’t show a primacy effect
This shows primacy effect is related to LTM
elaborate weakness of Murdock’s serial position curve study (artificial task)
Artificial task
Word lists were used which only test one type of memory
So the study lacks validity
describe the theory of reconstructive memory
People build memory as an active process, It isn’t an exact representation of events. We reconstruct memories
We record fragments and recombine them with our expectations
Our expectations come from the culture we live in and affect storage and recall
We use effort after meaning
effort after meaning
We focus on the meaning of events and make an effort afterwards to make sense of the fragments of memory
give 3 evaluation points of the theory of reconstructive memory
STRENGTH - more realistic than other theories
WEAKNESS - some memories are still accurate
STRENGTH - can be applied to the real world
elaborate strength of the theory of reconstructive memory (more realistic than other theories)
More realistic than other theories
Research into reconstructive memory doesn’t use artificial materials so is more valid
elaborate weakness of the theory of reconstructive memory (more realistic than other theories)
Some memories are still accurate
If some components of memory are still the exact same then not all recall is reconstructed
elaborate strength of the theory of reconstructive memory (can be applied to the real world)
Can be applied to the real world
In eyewitness testimony people don’t always recall accurately, the theory can explain why
EWT is no longer regarded as solid evidence
what are the 3 factors affecting memory?
Interference
Context
False memory
interference
Forgetting may occur if two memories compete with each other, especially if the two are similar
give 3 evaluation points of interference affecting memory
WEAKNESS - may not be an explanation for forgetting
WEAKNESS - artificial task was used
STRENGTH - research was highly controlled
elaborate weakness of interference affecting memory (may not be an explanation for forgetting)
May not explain forgetting
Interference may be temporary and information is not actually forgotten. If a cued recall test is given information can be recalled
This shows information is stored in memory but not accessible
elaborate weakness of interference affecting memory (artificial task was used)
Artificial task was used
This doesn’t reflect real life memory as we don’t have to remember wordlists often
elaborate strength of interference affecting memory (research was highly controlled)
Research was highly controlled
Techniques such as counterbalancing were used to reduce bias
We can be sure that interference affected memory
context
The situation in which something happens, can be used as a cue to aid recall
give 3 evaluation points of context affecting memory
WEAKNESS - only affects very similar situations
WEAKNESS - in research recall was short term
WEAKNESS - artificial task was used
elaborate weakness of context affecting memory (only affects very similar situations)
Only affects very similar situations
Context only acts as a cue if the learning environment was the same as the recall environment
Therefore context doesn’t affect recall in many situations
elaborate weakness of context affecting memory (in research recall was short term)
In research recall was short term
Participants asked to recall words almost immediately unlike real life
So results can’t be applied in real life
elaborate weakness of context affecting memory (artificial task was used)
Artificial task was used
Wordlists were used and when more complex materials were used better results were found
false memory
Memory of an event that didn’t happen but feels as if it did happen
give 3 evaluation points of false memories affecting memory
STRENGTH - can be applied to EWT
WEAKNESS - study raises ethical concerns
WEAKNESS - false memory was not of the traumatic kind
elaborate strength of context affecting memory (can be applied to EWT)
Can be applied to EWT
The results suggest that police questioning could accidentally implant false memories
This can explain why EWT is unreliable
elaborate weakness of context affecting memory (study raises ethical concerns)
Study raises ethical concerns
Despite being debriefed participants may have been left with implanted false memories which lingered
Therefore the study may have caused psychological harm
elaborate weakness of context affecting memory (false memory was not of the traumatic kind)
False memory was not of the traumatic kind found in therapy
Harmless events may be implanted easier than traumatic events
Therefore limited conclusions can be drawn
