Memory

Question 1

Memory (defined)

Answer 1

during the stages of information processing, information must be retained or stored in some way for future use

Question 2

Processes for describing memory (3)

Answer 2

Encoding: registering info from the environment
Storage: capacity to retain encoded information - some pieces of info are able to be converted into resting form
Retrieval: ability to locate and recall stored info - get it back out

Question 3

Memory systems (2)

Answer 3

Declarative: conscious; actively “thinking” about the memory formed
Procedural: unconscious; automatic but usable

Question 4

Declarative Memory Systems

Answer 4

conscious
includes semantic and episodic
semantic: hard facts (eg. capitals) and concepts (eg. family)
episodic: related to times and events (eg. Prom)

Question 5

Procedural Memory Systems

Answer 5

unconscious
cognitive, perceptual, motor
how to do it and related to performance of skills (eg. riding a bike)

Question 6

Stages of Memory (3)

Answer 6

sensory memory
short-term memory
long-term memory

Question 7

Stages of Memory - Sensory

Answer 7

• takes in all information registered by sensory receptors in a short period of time, then filters out unimportant things
• each piece is registered differently (ie. visual, touch)
• duration and capacity depends on the register (0.1-1 sec; about 4 objects)

Question 8

Stages of Memory - Short term (working)

Answer 8

• capacity to hold a small amount of information in the mind for a short period of time
• duration: about 20-30 seconds (unless rehearsing)
• capacity: seven items (+/- 2); helped by chunking
• similar for cognitive and motor information

Question 9

Interactive workspace (three processing activities)

Answer 9

involved in short term/working memory
-integration of recently presented information with information from long-term memory; in the “decision to act” phase
three processing activities:
-solve a specific movement problem
-produce and evaluate movements (sense from movement - how did we do?)
-prepare information for storage (code in storable form)

Question 10

Consolidation

Answer 10

• the process by which a new memory trace is gradually transferred to long-term memory
• requires structural change in synaptic connections

Question 11

Stages of Memory - Long term

Answer 11

duration - “relatively” permanent; forgetting occurs due to retrieval problems
capacity - unlimited; but adding info on top of each other makes retrieval harder

Question 12

Explicit memory tests

Answer 12

• recall and recognition
• literal tests
• get declarative info that you already have

Question 13

Implicit memory tests

Answer 13

demonstrate procedural knowledge to perform the skill

Question 14

Strategy to enhance consolidation: primacy-recenty

Answer 14

information presented first and last are remembered best

Question 15

Strategy to enhance consolidation: Von Restorft

Answer 15

focusing on one outstanding piece

Question 16

Strategy to enhance consolidation: Endpoint

Answer 16

• paused points in a movement that are more memorable

- emphasizing location cues

Question 17

Strategy to enhance consolidation: Meaningfulness

Answer 17

make movement more meaningful with imagery (dynamic motion) or verbal labeling (visualize static position related to movement)

Question 18

Strategy to enhance consolidation: subjective organization

Answer 18

enhanced with skill; like chunking (organized so you can remember more)

Question 19

Strategy to enhance consolidation: encoding specificity principle

Answer 19

similarity between practice context (encoding) and performance context (retrieval) - performance will be enhanced if performed in the context you encoded in

Question 20

Strategy to enhance consolidation: sleep

Answer 20

memory is consolidated in slow-wave sleep