Memory

Question 1

Define memory

Answer 1

The mental process used to encode, store & retrieve information

Question 2

Define capacity

Answer 2

The amount of information that can be held in the memory store at one time

Question 3

Define duration

Answer 3

The length of time information can be held in the memory store for

Question 4

Define encoding

Answer 4

The way in which info is stored in memory

Question 5

What are the characteristics of sensory store?

Answer 5

Capacity - very large

Duration - very small
Iconic 0.5 seconds
Echoic 4 seconds

Coding - unencoded (left in original form)

Question 6

What are the characteristics of STM?

Answer 6

Capacity - limited (7+/-2 items)

Duration - very small (18-30 seconds)

Coding - acoustically

Question 7

What are the characteristics of LTM?

Answer 7

Capacity - unlimited

Duration - potentially unlimited

Coding - semantically

Question 8

Define sensory store

Answer 8

Where information is held at each of the senses

Question 9

What is meant by attention, rehearsal & retrieval in relation to MSM?

Answer 9

Attention: if attention is focussed on one of the sensory stores then info is passed onto STM

Rehearsal: if info is repeated/rehearsed then it stays in STM for longer, and is transferred into LTM if rehearsal is continued

Retrieval: the process in which info is passed back through STM in order to be retrieved/remembered

Question 10

Define and give examples of episodic memory

Answer 10

Episodic memory is personal memories of events (contextual detail plus emotional tone)

E.g. What you did yesterday

Question 11

Define and give examples of semantic memory

Answer 11

Semantic memory is shared memories for facts & knowledge

E.g. 2+2+4

Question 12

Define and give examples of procedural memory

Answer 12

Procedural memory is memory of how to do things (automatic due to repeated practice)

E.g. Riding a bike

Question 13

Evaluate ‘types of LTM’

Answer 13

There is evidence from brain scans that show different areas of brain light up when different parts of LTM are in use

Episodic - hippocampus
Semantic - cerebellum
Procedural - tempera lobe

Question 14

Why did Baddeley & Hitch think STM was not a unitary store?

Answer 14

When doing 2 similar tasks (visual) you perform the mum less well than when you do them separately

When you do 2 different tasks simultaneously you perform them just as well as you would separately because there is no interference

Question 15

What are the characteristics of the Central executive?

Answer 15

Controls the activity of the different stores

Has a very limited capacity

Question 16

What are the characteristics the of the Phonological loop?

Answer 16

1)phonological store
Referred to as the inner ear
Deals with perception of sound (mainly speech)

2)auditory control process
Referred to as the inner voice
Sub verbal rehearsal system which is used to prevent decay of verbal material

Question 17

What are the characteristics of the Visuo-spatial sketchpad?

Answer 17

Often referred to as the inner eye

Used for spatial tasks

Visual cache - deals with visual info (form & colour)

Inner scribe - deals with arrangement of objects in physical field

Question 18

What are the characteristics of the episodic buffer?

Answer 18

Extra non-specific storage system

Function is to integrate information from PL & VSS to LTM

Question 19

Define forgetting

Answer 19

Failure to retrieve a memory

Question 20

Define interference

Answer 20

Explanation for forgetting when one memory disrupts the recall of another

Usually happens when memories are similar

Question 21

What are the 2 types of interference?

Answer 21

RI: current attempts to learn something interfere with past memories

PI: past memories interfere with current attempt to learn something

Question 22

Evaluate interference as an explanation for forgetting

Answer 22

Research often uses artificial stimuli - low ecological validity

It’s only a valid explanation if memories are similar - therefore considered rather unimportant

Question 23

Define retrieval failure

Answer 23

An explanation for forgetting that occurs due to an absence of cues

Cues: things that serve as a reminder

Question 24

Define EWT

Answer 24

The evidence provided in court by a person who has witnessed the crime with a view of identifying the perpetrator of the crime

Question 25

Define misleading information

Answer 25

Supplying information to the witness that may lead to their memory of the crime being altered

Question 26

Define leading questions

Answer 26

A question that suggests to the witness a desired answer or leads them to a desired answer

Question 27

Define anxiety

Answer 27

An unpleasant emotional state that is often accompanied by increased HR and rapid breathing

Question 28

What are the characteristics of a cognitive interview?

Answer 28

1)report everything
Memories are connected so recall of one may provide cue for another

2)context reinstatement
Aim to make memories more accessible
Often need appropriate contextual details to provide cues

3)reverse order
Prevents scheme affecting correct recall

4)change perspective
Prevents cues affecting correct recall

Question 29

Evaluate cognitive interviews

Answer 29

Meta analysis of 53 studies - increased 34% correct recall
(Ev) mostly involves volunteer college students so low pop validity

Police officer say technique requires more time than often available so prefer to use original techniques l