Memory Flashcards

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1
Q

Define Memory

A

Memory is often defined as the storage and retrieval of information aquired through learning

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2
Q

Define Encoding

A

The process of converting information into a useable form or ‘code’ so that it can enter and be stored in the memory

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3
Q

Define Storage

A

Retention of information and storage over time

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4
Q

Define Retrieval

A

The process of locating and recoverinf the stored information from memory so that we are consciously aware of it.

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5
Q

Define Atkinson-Shiffrin Model of Memory

A

Memory consists of three distinguishable components called the sensory register, the short term store and long term store.

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6
Q

Structural Features of A-S Memory

A

Structural features are the permanent, built in fixed features of memory that do not vary one situation to another

EG. Storage, capacity, duration

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7
Q

Controlled Processes of A-S Memory

A

Control processes are selected and used by each individual and may vary across different situations

EG. Attention, rehersal, retreival

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8
Q

Sensory Register

A

Entry Point of memory where new incoming information is stored.

EXACT

  • Unlimited Capacity
    • Iconic
      • 0.2-0.4 sec
    • Echoic
      • 3-4 Sec
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9
Q

Short Term Store

A

A temporary working memory where we manipulate information that is needed for everyday functions

  • IT HOLDS INFORMATION WE ARE CONSCOUSLY AWARE OF
  • Limited Storage Capacity
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10
Q

Define Sensory Memory

A

Sensory Memory is the entry point of memory where new, incoming information is stored fror a very brief period of time.

  • Unprocessed- same for everyone
    • barring differences in sight etc
  • Remains in sensory register long enough for us to attend to it
  • after attention, transferred to STM
  • not always aware of sensory information
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11
Q

Iconic Memory

A

Used to describe visual sensory memory; that is brief senosry memory for uncoming visual information

  • 0.2-0.4 seconds
  • unlimited capacity
  • if not attended to will dissapear
  • if didn’t clear quickly would overlap
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12
Q

Echoic Memory

A

Used to describe auditory sensory memory; that is, brief sensory memory fo incoming auditory information

  • echoic as sounds linger like an echo
  • unlimited capacity
  • 3-4 seconds
    • important for understanding speech
      • can’t understand a word until we hear all of it
  • If not attended to info will be lost
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13
Q

Working Memory

A

Used to emphasise the active part of memory where informationwe are consciously aware of is used

  • Another way of describing STM
  • Anything we are attending to
    • working on
    • consciously aware of
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14
Q

Chunking of Information

A

The grouping together of sepeare bits of information into a larger single ‘chunk’ of information, in order to increase storage.

  • increases 5-9 storage in STM
  • Can take many forms
    • abreviations
    • numbers in chunks
  • each chunk is seen as a seperate bit of information therefore increaseing what can be remembered
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15
Q

Craik and Lockhard level of procesing framework

A

Pricesses that the level or depth at which we process something during learning determines how well this information can be recalled

  • not meaning/no meaning
    • continuum
  • more meaning during learning if processed deeply
  • less retention if processed at a shallow level
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16
Q

Issues with Craik and Lockhart

A
  • difficult to measure depth or level
  • no accepted means of doing that
  • subject could actually be processing deeply
    • do not know what is goin on in their mind
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17
Q

Define Baddeley and Hitch’s Model of Working Memory

A

Describes the structure and function of working memory in terms of three (now four) components called the phonological loop, the visuo-spatial sketchpad, (the episodic buffer) and the central executive, These components are seperate and can function relatively independently but can also interact.

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18
Q

Phonological Loop

A

Stores a limited amount of verbal, speech-like information, such as the sound of words, for a brief period of time.

  • w/o rehearsal can only hold ~2 sec of ‘sound memory’
  • ‘Auditory Trace’ can be maintained through
    • articulatory sub-vocal rehearsal
      • i.e. inner voice
  • maintainence revives memory
  • Word Length Effect
    • shoreter words are easier to rehearse than longer ones.
    • long ones take more time therfore forgotten quicker
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19
Q

Visuo-Spatial Sketchpad

A

Temporarily Stores a limited amount of visual and spatial information fro a brief period of time

  • Visual
    • Stuff that we see
  • Spatial
    • visual location of objects in space
  • Mental workplace for storing and manipulating visual and spatial info.
  • Limited Storage Capacity
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20
Q

Phonological Loop and Visuo-Spatial Sketchpad interactions

A
  • independant of one another therefore ‘filling up’ of one does not affect the capacity of the other
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21
Q

The Central Executive

A

The central executive controles attentin;intergrates visual information from the phonological loop and visuo-spatial sketchpad;as wekk as information retrieved from LTM; and co-ordinates the flow of information between the working memory systems and LTM.

  • Intergrates working memory
  • Filters essential info from non-essential info
  • combines info from other two components
  • selects, deletes and reordersinformation
  • adds info to LTM
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22
Q

The Episodic Buffer

A

A subsystem of working memory that enables the different components of working memory to interact with LTM.

  • Limited storage capacity
    • 4 chunks of infor
      • one for each componant
  • incorporates data
    • visio-spatial & phonologica
    • time(hence episode)
    • Other data
23
Q

Maintenance Rehearsal

A

Involves repeating the information being remembered over and over again so that the information can be retained in STM

24
Q

Elaborative Rehearsal

A

Elaborative Rehearsal is the process of linking new information in a meaningful way wih other new or existing information already stored in LTM to aid in its storage and retrieval from LTM

25
Q

Rehearsal

A

Rehearsal is the process of consciously manipulating information to keep it in STM in order to transfer it to LTM or to aid in storage or retrieval

26
Q

Self Referencing

A

When we relate new information to personal experience and our personal situation in some way we are more likely to remember it.

27
Q

Define Short Term Memory

A

A memory system with limited sotrage capacity where information is stored for a relatively short period of time, unless renewed in some way.

28
Q

Info on short term memory

A

Capacity

  • Limited
    • 5-9 bits of information
  • chunking info. together can increase amount of information retained
    • ASB TIW LTN

Duration

  • ~20 sec
  • can be up to 30
29
Q

Organisation of LTM

A
  • Very organised
  • Information is link/associated with other information on LTM
30
Q

Define Semantic Network Theory

A

Proposes that info in LTM is orgainised systematically in the form of overlapping networks or grids of concepts (called nodes) that are interconneced and interrelated by meaningful likes. We retrieve informaton from the activation of one node, this causes other related nodes to be activated

31
Q

Define Spreading Activation

A

Proposes that activating one note during retrieval increases the likelihood that associated nodes become activated. THe shorter the link between nodes in the network, the stronger the association and less time it takes to activate

32
Q

The Serial Position Effect

A

Finds that free recall is better for items at the end and beginning of the list than items in the middle of the list

  • Primacy Effect
  • Recency Effect
  • Provides more evidence that there are different types of memory
33
Q

Primacy Effect

A

Describes superior recall of items at the beginning of a list

  • Recieve more attention and rehearsal
    • therefore transferred to LTM
34
Q

Recency Effect

A

Describes superior recall for items at the end of a list

  • recall happens after list is learned, therefore items at beginning are still in STM
  • If delay after learning
    • Recall is not superior as trasferred out of STM
35
Q

Neural Basis for Memory

Kandel:

A

Identified changes in structure and functioninf of neurons in brain when forming new memory of early learned experience

36
Q

Kandel’s Experiment

A
  • Study on Aplysia Californica
    • less complex nervous system (20,000 neurons)
  • Used electrode to stimulate Siphon
    • Siphon contracted
    • Gill Contacted
      • Protection
  • Withdrawal of gill got quicker
  • If gap of hour, went back to normal speed
    • couldn’t remember 1 hour before
    • provides evidence for STM
  • Eventually withdrew less and less as it learned was not in danger
    • Habituation
  • Habituated faster over time
    • suggested enduring memory
37
Q

Neural Basis for Memory

STM Changes

A
  • Functional Changes
  • Increase in amount of neurotransmitter released
38
Q

Neural Basis for Memory

LTM Changes

A
  • increase amount of neurotransmitter
  • increases number of dendrites
    • strengthen’s gap between neurons
    • already a path made for the neurotransmitter/memory
39
Q

Medial Lobe

A
  • Inner area of Temporal Lobe
  • Contains hippocampus and amygdala
40
Q

Hippocampus

A
  • In medial lobe
  • 4cm into our brain, above our ear
  • have 2
    • one in each hemisphere
41
Q

Case Study of H.M

A
  • Had medial lobe removed
  • Normal STM
  • Could remeber things before his surgery
  • couldn’t remember after surgery (except STM)
    • couldn’t form long term memories
42
Q

What does H.M Study Show

A
  • Formation and encoding of explicit LTM happens in the medial Lobe
  • Not involved with storage
    • H.M could remeber prior
  • does not affect procedural, only declarative
  • Shows there are more than one type of memory
43
Q

Define Consolidation Theory

A

Consolidation theory proposes that structural or physical changes to the neurons in the brain occur when somethin new is being learned, occuring immediately following learning.

44
Q

Info on Consolidation Theory

A
  • New info. takes time to set in brain
    • ~30 min
  • If memory is disrupted furing consolidation, information may not be embedded and lost
    • head trauma
    • brain disease
45
Q

Define Reconsolidation Theory

A

After a memory is activated and retrieved from LTM, it needs to be consolidated again in order to be stored back in LTM

46
Q

Info on Reconsolidation Theory

A
  • Old memories have to be reconsolidated so the new versions can be different from the old ones
  • effected by our experience
  • new info is ‘put it’
47
Q

Structural Changes are also called

A

Memory Trace

48
Q

Define Amnesia

A

A term used to refer to loss of memory either partial or complete, tomporary or permanent

  • Anterograde
  • Retrograde
49
Q

Define Brain Damage

A

An umbrella term that is used to refer to any brain damage that impairs or interferes with the normal functioning of the brain, either temporarily or permanently

50
Q

Types of Brain Damage

A

Inflicted Brain Damage

  • blow to the head
  • violent shaking

Aquired Brain Damage

  • Stroke
  • brain infection
  • alcoholism
  • surgery
51
Q

Neurodegenerative Disease

A

A disease characerised by a progressive decline in the structure, activity and function of brain tissue

  • EG Alzheimers
52
Q

Anterograde Amnesia

A

Refers to a loss of memory only for information of events experienced after the person sustains brain damage

  • Tends to be more permanent
  • IQ is the same and appear relatively normal
  • EG H.M
53
Q

Retrograde Amnesia

A

Affects memory for information or events experienced before the person sustains the damage

  • Tends to come back
  • EG. Jason Bourne