Memory Flashcards
what are the key components of memory?
encoding
storage
retrieval
*problem though is that memories can be changed - remaking memory every time it’s thought of
what is encoding?
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
what are the types of encoding?
- shallow - structural/appearance
- intermediate= phonemic (sound)
- 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
what is ‘storage’
it is the ‘computer’ in our analogy - stores the memory
what are the 3 separate stores of memory?
- sensory memory
- short term memory
- long-term memory
these are not anatomical strucutres
how long does information last in the sensory memory?
lasts for miliseconds or seconds depending on stimulus type
what are the characteristics of sensory memory?
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
how long does short -term memory last?
it has a limited capacity - information lasts about 20 seconds
how long does long-term memory last?
unlimited capacity - information lasts indefinitley
describe short term memory characteristics
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
which memory is regarded as the ‘working memory ‘?
short term memory -
what is the working memory model
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
what are the characteristics of long term memory?
- 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
what is the primacy/recency effect?
primacy = better recal for information at the beginning
recency = better recall for things at the end
memory is aided by…
use of cues
reinstating context
what are some issues with retrieval of memory?
- 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
what is the “source-monitoring error” ?
memory from one source wrongly attributed to another
when does most forgetting occur?
immediately after memorisation -
forget meaningless information faster - relating new info to existing info improves memory
how do we measure forgetting?
4 levels
- recall - no cues
- recognition- select from an array
- reconstruction - pulled together from context using cues
- re-learning- effort saved 2nd time around
how do we forget at each memory level?
sensory = information lost if not encoded
short term = information lost if not encoded
long term - information lost due to retrieval failure, interference, decay
Why do we forget?
- ineffective encoding - information not encoded properly due to lack of attention
- decay - memory traces fade with time due to decay -
- interference - competition from other information - new info impairing retention of old
- retrieval failure - tip of the tongue phenomenon
- motivated forgetting - freud - people bury unpleasant, painful, or embarrassing memories deep in unconscious mind
where are key neuroanatomical structures of memroy located?
they are located in the sub-cortical limbic system of the temporal lobe
- hippocampus
- parahippocampal region
- amygdala
what is amnesia?
partial or total memory loss
what is retrograde amnesia?
inability to remember events that happened prior to onset - retrieval failure
what is anterograde amnesia?
inability to take in new factual information or remember day to day events
what is post traumatic amnesia?
combines both retrograde and anterograde amnesia - period of anterograde determines classification of head injury
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
why is it important to study memory?
memory can give us insight into a patients condition / situation
*memory failures not always age-related
