Memory Flashcards
Definition of memory
the processing, storage and retrieval of information acquired through learning; neurological representation of a prior event/experience
Encoding
converting raw sensory data into a ‘usable’ form to be represented and stored in memory
Storage
retention of info in memory over time
Retrieval
locating and recovering stored info from memory to conscious thought
Multi-Store Model of Memory
Atkinson and Shiffrin 1968; consists of sensory, short and long term memory - categorized by capacity, duration, and function
Sensory Memory
All information picked up by sensory receptors, held for less than 5 seconds as raw data - directing attention to raw data transfers it to STM - unlimited capacity
Short Term Memory
Limited storage capacity of 5-9 units, info is temporarily held and worked on during tasks, info retained for 12-30 seconds
Long Term Memory
Stores vasts amounts of info from 3 seconds - infinity (can decay over time), inferred through storage and retrieval, transitions from STM to LTM through physical changes in neurons and neural networks - info is stored in semanic networks
LTM - Declarative Memory
Facts and events - explicit memory
LTM - Procedural Memory
Actions and skills - implicit memory
Divisions of Declarative Memory
Semantic and Episodic memory
Semantic Memory
Memories of learnt facts/knowledge; not tagged with specific dates of learning
Episodic Memory
Memories of personally experienced events - details of time, place, psychological and physiological state
Serial Position Effect (SPE)
supports the theory of STM and LTM; immediate free recall of items at the beginning/end of a list are remembered
SPE - Primary Effect
LTM - items at the beginning are recalled easier
SPE - Asymptote
Middle section info is more likely to be forgotten
SPE - Recency Effect
STM - items at the end are recalled easier
STM - Maintenance Rehearsal
Repetition of words, auditory info, visual/spacial info; retained vocally/sub-vocally, inner-ear (mental maps)
STM - Elaborative Rehearsal
Focuses on the meaning of the info - processes info on a deeper level by using concepts
STM - Chunking
Grouping items to be remembered - familiar stimuli stored as a single unit
Working Memory Model
Baddeley and Hitch (1974) - consists of the phonological loop, visuo-spatial sketchpad, and the central executive
Central Executive
Coordinates the actions of other components of working memory, controls attention, diverts info to relevant parts of memory, briefly stores sensory info, integrates info from LTM to guide behaviour, thoughts
Visuo-Spatial Sketchpad
Storing and manipulating of visual and spacial info
Phonological Loop
Storing and manipulating of auditory info - lasts for 2 sec unrehearsed, “inner ear”/articulatory control system rehearsal
Episodic Buffer
Limited and temporary storage in any form, joins info from visuo-spatial and phonological loop to prepare memories for storage in episodic buffer
LTM - Types of Processing
Structural, Phonemic, Semantic
LTM - Structural Processing
Encoding according to physical features of remembered word - shallow processing
LTM - Phonemic Processing
Encoding according to the sound of the remembered word - intermediate processing
LTM - Semantic Processing
Using the meaning of the info - deep processing
Explicit Memory
Consciously and intentionally retrieved and stored; declarative memories
Implict Memory
Expressed through behaviour and actions - memories without awareness; non -declarative memories
Recall
Using minimal amount of cues for retrieval
Free Recall
Retrieving info without order
Serial Recall
Retrieving as much info in any order
Cued Recall
Using prompts to assist retrieval
Recognition
Identifying correct information amongst wrong info - Luh (1992) - better performance in recognition tests than recall
Relearning
Revising things previously committed to memory - easier to relearn (saving score)
Saving Score
[original learning]-[relearning]/[original learning] x100
Forgetting
Inability to retrieve info previously stored in LTM
Forgetting Curve - Ebbinghaus (1885)
Measures the amount of info retained and the rate of forgetfulness - 1/2 memory loss occurs in first hour, 68% of info (max lost) occurs in the first 8 hours
Retrieval Failure Theory - Tulving & Thompson (1973)
Forgetting due to inability to retrieve material due to absence of right cues
Retrieval Failure Theory - Context Dependant Cues
Environment in which the memory was encoded
Retrieval Failure Theory - State Dependant Cues
Emotional state, smell, taste, sounds associated with memory
Interference Theory
Explains why a previously available memory trace has become temporarily inaccessible; most likely to occur when material is similar (McGeoch & McDonald) - proactive and retroactive
Interference Theory - Proactive
Previously learnt material inhibits new material
Interference Theory - Retroactive
New material inhibits old material
Interference Theory - Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths: plausible theory, repeated in laboratory settings, face validity.
Weaknesses: lab is different to IRL, interference may not occur as frequently
Motivated Forgetting
Reason to forget stimuli - suppression (conscious) and repression (unconscious) - Freud
Decay Theory
Memory trace will decay over time - based on physical/chemical trace from memory
Decay Theory - Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths: occurs in STM & LTM, supported by empirical studies of hippocampus.
Weaknesses: no proof decay is cause, doesn’t account for recollection from cues
Iconic Memory
sensory memory division - visual memory
Echoic Memory
sensory memory division - auditory memory
