Memory Flashcards
Define memory
The mental process used to encode, store & retrieve information
Define capacity
The amount of information that can be held in the memory store at one time
Define duration
The length of time information can be held in the memory store for
Define encoding
The way in which info is stored in memory
What are the characteristics of sensory store?
Capacity - very large
Duration - very small
Iconic 0.5 seconds
Echoic 4 seconds
Coding - unencoded (left in original form)
What are the characteristics of STM?
Capacity - limited (7+/-2 items)
Duration - very small (18-30 seconds)
Coding - acoustically
What are the characteristics of LTM?
Capacity - unlimited
Duration - potentially unlimited
Coding - semantically
Define sensory store
Where information is held at each of the senses
What is meant by attention, rehearsal & retrieval in relation to MSM?
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
Define and give examples of episodic memory
Episodic memory is personal memories of events (contextual detail plus emotional tone)
E.g. What you did yesterday
Define and give examples of semantic memory
Semantic memory is shared memories for facts & knowledge
E.g. 2+2+4
Define and give examples of procedural memory
Procedural memory is memory of how to do things (automatic due to repeated practice)
E.g. Riding a bike
Evaluate ‘types of LTM’
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
Why did Baddeley & Hitch think STM was not a unitary store?
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
What are the characteristics of the Central executive?
Controls the activity of the different stores
Has a very limited capacity
What are the characteristics the of the Phonological loop?
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
What are the characteristics of the Visuo-spatial sketchpad?
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
What are the characteristics of the episodic buffer?
Extra non-specific storage system
Function is to integrate information from PL & VSS to LTM
Define forgetting
Failure to retrieve a memory
Define interference
Explanation for forgetting when one memory disrupts the recall of another
Usually happens when memories are similar
What are the 2 types of interference?
RI: current attempts to learn something interfere with past memories
PI: past memories interfere with current attempt to learn something
Evaluate interference as an explanation for forgetting
Research often uses artificial stimuli - low ecological validity
It’s only a valid explanation if memories are similar - therefore considered rather unimportant
Define retrieval failure
An explanation for forgetting that occurs due to an absence of cues
Cues: things that serve as a reminder
Define EWT
The evidence provided in court by a person who has witnessed the crime with a view of identifying the perpetrator of the crime
Define misleading information
Supplying information to the witness that may lead to their memory of the crime being altered
Define leading questions
A question that suggests to the witness a desired answer or leads them to a desired answer
Define anxiety
An unpleasant emotional state that is often accompanied by increased HR and rapid breathing
What are the characteristics of a cognitive interview?
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
Evaluate cognitive interviews
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
