Memory Flashcards
Encoding
Translation of the physical stimulation into a cognitive code that is used by memory system (usually requires attention)
Storage
Maintenance of cognitive codes in memory over time
Retrieval
Recovery of cognitive codes from memory.
Free-recall Task
Report as many items from a list of words in any order
Serial Position effect
Consistent curve (U-shaped) observed for list recall.
Primacy Effect
Items near the beginning of the list recalled better than other items
Recency Effect
Items near the end of the list are recalled better than other items
Sensory Memory
Temporary storage of perceptual input for initial memory encoding.
Encoding –> modality specific
Storage
Capacity —> high
Duration —> very short, 0.5 - 4 sec depending on modality
Retrieval —> attentional
Forgetting —> decay
Working Memory
Current processing and manipulation of cognitive codes (conscious processing)
Encoding —> phological, visual, spatial
Storage
Capacity —> 5-9 items
Duration —> less than 30 sec without rehearsal
Retrieval —> elaborative rehearsal
Forgetting —> interference and decay
Long Term Memory
Permanent memory of information represented in the brain.
Encoding —> several forms
Storage —> episodic, semantic, procedural
Capacity —> unlimited
Duration —> permanent
Retrieval —> reconstructive
Forgetting —> retrieval failure
Iconic memory
Vision
Echoic Memory
Auditory
Names reflect that the representation is a raw sensory code.
Whole Report (WR)
Identify all items
Brief display (50 msec)
4-5 items
Partial Report (PR)
Identify subset of items cued after the offset of display. Higher report at short cue intervals
PR = WR report after 0.5 sec.
Cannot cue for category (letters versus numbers) so raw sensory.
Articulatory/ Phonological Loop
Predominant memory code seems to be phonological —> rehearsal mechanism.
Rehearsal based on neural mechanism referred to as the articulatory/phonological loop.
Acoustic image from Wernicke’s area passed to Broca’s area for subvocal articulation which refreshes acoustic images and forms the look.
Conduction aphasia supports
Visuo-Spatial Sketch Pad
Proposed mechanism of working memory that utilises visually based memory codes.
Mental rotation tasks: indicate that visual representations are manipulated in an analog fashion
Maintenance Rehearsal
Rote Repetition
Elaborative Rehearsal and encoding
Integrating new information with existing information in LTM
Levels of processing theory
Deeper levels of processing result in longer lasting memory codes
Retrograde amnesia
loss of memory for events prior to occurrence of head trauma
Anterograde Amnesia
Loss of memory for events after occurrence of head trauma
Explicit Memory
Intentional (conscious) recollection of previous experiences
Control > amnesic
Implicit Memory
Incidental, unintentional (unconscious) remembering
Control = amnesic
Grad and Mandler (1984)
Study six-letter words lists by - counting the number of letter - evaluate the likeability of each word Stem completion task - use as a cue to remember words - report first word that comes to mind Depth influences explicit, not implicit Shallow processing: implicit > explicit
Declarative Memory
Factual Information based upon intentional retrieval (explicit)
Semantic and episodic interact in forming explicit memories.
Declarative Memory
Semantic Memory
Encyclopaedic —> facts, conceptual information, vocabulary
Declarative Memory
Episodic Memory
Autobiographical —> life experiences, temporal
Procedural Memory
Skills and rules memory, primarily automatic or unintentional, implicit retrieval
- anterograde amnesic learn new skills without awareness
- earlier memory system
Encoding specificity
How we encode information determines our ability to retrieve it later.
- LTM is context dependent
- Encoding efficiency reliant upon context
- retrieval efficiency reliant upon match of cues to the memory code
- good retrieval cues are consistent with the original encoding
- tip of the tongue phenomenon: solved about 50% of the time, reflects the importance of appropriate retrieval of cue
State dependent Memory
Improved Recall when emotional state between encoding and retrieval matches
Flashbulb Memories
Episodic memory vividness associated with an emotional event. Vividness of confidence may not reflect accuracy.
Reconstructive Remembering
Recall from a long-term memory involves a process of reconstruction involving current knowledge and biases.
Misinformation effect
Reconstructive distortions of memory occur in the presence of misleading cues
