Memory Flashcards

1
Q

what are the key components of memory?

A

encoding

storage

retrieval

*problem though is that memories can be changed - remaking memory every time it’s thought of

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2
Q

what is encoding?

A

how information gets INTO memory - you cannot remmeber something you don’t encode

*Attention is critical* - focusing awareness on characteristics

ex) if you do not pay attention to a name, you won’t ever recal that name

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3
Q

what are the types of encoding?

A
  1. shallow - structural/appearance
  2. intermediate= phonemic (sound)
  3. deep = semantic (meaning)

the deeper the encoding level, the longer lasting memory it encodes

enhanced encoding = elaboration - use examples or added visual imagery to encode

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4
Q

what is ‘storage’

A

it is the ‘computer’ in our analogy - stores the memory

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5
Q

what are the 3 separate stores of memory?

A
  1. sensory memory
  2. short term memory
  3. long-term memory

these are not anatomical strucutres

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6
Q

how long does information last in the sensory memory?

A

lasts for miliseconds or seconds depending on stimulus type

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7
Q

what are the characteristics of sensory memory?

A

it is auditory tactile or visual information preserved momentarily

likened to an ‘echo’

ex) you’re walking down grafton street, walking past a bunch of people when you think “wait, did I know that person?” because their face seemed familiar to your sensory memory

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8
Q

how long does short -term memory last?

A

it has a limited capacity - information lasts about 20 seconds

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9
Q

how long does long-term memory last?

A

unlimited capacity - information lasts indefinitley

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10
Q

describe short term memory characteristics

A

limited capacity - 5-9 units of information

chunking increases capacity

new information/interference can displace current information in STM

duration of about 20-30 seconds but repetition extends duration

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11
Q

which memory is regarded as the ‘working memory ‘?

A

short term memory -

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12
Q

what is the working memory model

A

execusitve control system - focuses attention on tasks - supported by 3 sub-systems

1) visual spatial sketch pad - monitors visual environment
2) phonological loop - speech preparation
3) episodic buffer- integrates information from WM an LTM

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13
Q

what are the characteristics of long term memory?

A
  • unlimited capacity
  • indefinite duration - permanent? “flashbulb” memroy
  • organized in logical framework
  • declarative LTM = facts/explicit knowlege
    • semantic declarative = general knowlege like capitals of countries
    • episodic = dated recollections of personal experiences like first boyfriend or girlfriend
  • procedural LTM= actions/perectual motor/skills
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14
Q

what is the primacy/recency effect?

A

primacy = better recal for information at the beginning

recency = better recall for things at the end

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15
Q

memory is aided by…

A

use of cues

reinstating context

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16
Q

what are some issues with retrieval of memory?

A
  • memories are not an exact replica =
    • general story rather than details
    • memory is more like a play than a DVD
  • retrieval can be distorted by unrelated events and or manipulated deliberalty
    • the misinformation effect
    • implications for eye witness testimony
  • frequently forget the sources of memories
17
Q

what is the “source-monitoring error” ?

A

memory from one source wrongly attributed to another

18
Q

when does most forgetting occur?

A

immediately after memorisation -

forget meaningless information faster - relating new info to existing info improves memory

19
Q

how do we measure forgetting?

A

4 levels

  1. recall - no cues
  2. recognition- select from an array
  3. reconstruction - pulled together from context using cues
  4. re-learning- effort saved 2nd time around
20
Q

how do we forget at each memory level?

A

sensory = information lost if not encoded

short term = information lost if not encoded

long term - information lost due to retrieval failure, interference, decay

21
Q

Why do we forget?

A
  1. ineffective encoding - information not encoded properly due to lack of attention
  2. decay - memory traces fade with time due to decay -
  3. interference - competition from other information - new info impairing retention of old
  4. retrieval failure - tip of the tongue phenomenon
  5. motivated forgetting - freud - people bury unpleasant, painful, or embarrassing memories deep in unconscious mind
23
Q

where are key neuroanatomical structures of memroy located?

A

they are located in the sub-cortical limbic system of the temporal lobe

  • hippocampus
  • parahippocampal region
  • amygdala
24
Q

what is amnesia?

A

partial or total memory loss

25
what is retrograde amnesia?
inability to remember events that happened prior to onset - retrieval failure
26
what is anterograde amnesia?
inability to take in new factual information or remember day to day events
27
what is post traumatic amnesia?
combines both retrograde and anterograde amnesia - period of anterograde determines classification of head injury
28
what memory is lost in alzheimer's disease?
working memory - progressive decline - infact at first but increased sensitivity to distraction long-term memory - procedural - diminished but relatively intact declarative - semantic disrupted ( language and recal of conceptual information) episodic impaired recal and consolidation -forgetfulness/missed appointments
29
why is it important to study memory?
memory can give us insight into a patients condition / situation \*memory failures not always age-related