Memory

Question 1

Memory

Answer 1

Three Functions:
Encoding
Storage
Retrieval

Question 2

Encoding

Answer 2

Process by which we transform what we perceive, think, or feel into an enduring memory. *A bit flawed because it depends on our subjective experience of the information

Question 3

Storage

Answer 3

Process of maintaining information in memory over time.

Question 4

Retrieval

Answer 4

Process of bringing to mind information that has been previously encoded and stored. Retrieval can hinder storage of a memory (might not be encoded back properly)

Question 5

Semantic Encoding

Answer 5

Process of actively relating new information in a MEANINGFUL way to knowledge that is already in memory. (Language/Vocab) (Frontal)

Question 6

Visual Imagery Encoding

Answer 6

Process of storing new information by converting it into mental pictures. (Occipital)

Question 7

Organizational Encoding

Answer 7

Process of categorizing information according to the RELATIONSHIPS among a series of items. (similar features)

Question 8

Survival-Related Information

Answer 8

Based on N.S., memory mechanisms that help us survive HAVE to be passed down. Survival encoding yields better memory than moving or pleasantness encoding.

Question 9

Sensory Storage

Answer 9

Holds sensory information for a few seconds or less. Two types: Iconic and Echoic

Question 10

Iconic Memory

Answer 10

Fast-decaying store of visual information

Question 11

Echoic Memory

Answer 11

Fast-decaying store of auditory information

Question 12

Short-term Storage

Answer 12

Storage that holds nonsensory information for more than a few seconds but less than a minute; can hold about 7 items.
Can be improved by Rehearsal and Chunking.

Question 13

Rehearsal

Answer 13

Process of keeping information in STM by mentally repeating it

Question 14

Chunking

Answer 14

Combining small pieces of information into larger clusters/chunks that are more easily held in STM

Question 15

Working Memory

Answer 15

STM storage that actively maintains information. Stores and manipulates information.

Question 16

Central Executive

Answer 16

Coordinates all the information.

Question 17

Subsystems

Answer 17

Visuo-spatial Sketchpad
Phonological Loop
Maintained by middleman (Episodic Buffer; smell and taste)

Question 18

Visuo-spatial Sketchpad

Answer 18

Visual
Spatial
Haptic

Question 19

Phonological Loop

Answer 19

Speech
Sign
Lip reading
Music & Sound

Question 20

Long-Term Storage

Answer 20

Storage that holds information with no known capacity.

Question 21

Hippocampus

Answer 21

“index”

search bar) for long-term memory storage. Loss of hippocampus removes ability to store Long Term Memory (LTM

Question 22

Anterograde Amnesia

Answer 22

Inability to transfer NEW information from the short-term store into the long-term store. (Typically means the hippocampus is damaged)

Question 23

Retrograde Amnesia

Answer 23

Inability to retrieve information that was acquired BEFORE a particular date, usually the date of an injury or operation.

Question 24

Consolidation

Answer 24

Process by which memories become stable in the brain. Streamlining what you know and adding something new to it. Sleep increases hippocampal involvement in recall based on consolidation

Question 25

Reconsolidation

Answer 25

Memories can become vulnerable to disruption any time they are recalled, so they have to be consolidated again.

Question 26

Long-term Potentiation (LTP)

Answer 26

process whereby communication across synapses get stronger the more they're used, makes connection easier. Study used sea slugs to detect if shocks would actually create memory

Question 27

Retrieval Cues

Answer 27

External information associated with stored information that helps bring that information to mind

Question 28

Encoding Specificity Principle

Answer 28

Idea that a retrieval cue can serve as an effective reminder when it helps re-create the specific way in which information was initially encoded

Question 29

State-dependent Retrieval

Answer 29

Tendency for information to be better recalled when the person is in the same state during encoding and retrieval

Question 30

Transfer-Appropriate Processing

Answer 30

Memory is likely to transfer from one situation to another when the encoding and retrieval contexts of the situations match

Question 31

Retrieval-induced forgetting

Answer 31

Process by which retrieving an item from LTM IMPAIRS subsequent recall of related items (frontal lobe suppresses competing information). When the memory is actually retrieved, the hippocampus is then activated.

Question 32

Explicit Memory

Answer 32

Act of consciously or intentionally retrieving past experiences (things that can be spoken about to other people)

Question 33

Implicit Memory

Answer 33

Influence of past experiences on later behaviour, even without an effort to remember them or an awareness of the recollection

Question 34

Procedural Memory

Answer 34

Implicit. Gradual acquisition of skills as a result of practice, or "knowing how" to do things

Question 35

Priming

Answer 35

Enhanced ability to think of a stimulus as a result of a recent exposure to the stimulus; less cortical activation (most sophisticated parts of brain not doing this). Priming makes some information more accessible

Question 36

Implicit Memory cont.

Answer 36

Procedural and priming don't rely on the hippocampus. | Priming saves processing time for the brain

Question 37

Semantic Memory

Answer 37

Network of associated facts and concepts that make up our general knowledge of the world ("how many wheels do cars have")

Question 38

Episodic Memory

Answer 38

Collection of past personal experiences that occurred at a particular time and place. Also involves mental time travel. Contributes to imagination and creativity.

Question 39

Collaborative Memory

Answer 39

Remembering serves important social functions. Sharing memories can strengthen them, but also produce retrieval-induced forgetting. Social loafing.

Question 40

Memory Sins

Answer 40

7 sins of memory

Question 41

Transience

Answer 41

Forgetting what occurs across the passage of time. Memory fades more quickly at first, then more slowly over time. Retroactive Interference: information learned later impairs memory already present Proactive: information learned earlier impairs memory for information acquired later Adaptive: Allows you to not have to store ALL information, only beneficial

Question 42

Absentmindedness

Answer 42

Lapse in attention that results in memory failure. Less frontal lobe activity when attention divided. Prospective memory: remembering to do things in the future Adaptive: Allows your mind to catch a break from working constantly

Question 43

Blocking

Answer 43

Failure to retrieve information that is available in memory even though you are trying to produce it. Hippocampus doesn't know where to retrieve the memory because of prior encoding fault: Usually result of thing being sought doesn't have a large enough semantic meaning. Adaptive: train other ways to encode/retrieve memories

Question 44

Memory Misattribution

Answer 44

Assigning a recollection or an idea to the wrong source. Frontal lobe intimately involved. Source memory: recall of when, where, and how information was acquired False recognition: feeling of familiarity about something that hasn't been encountered before - same brain activation as true recognition (including hippocampus) Adaptive: protective trait

Question 45

Hippocampal Activity Scans

Answer 45

Source Error/Misattribution allow the hippocampus to fire almost identically to the True recognition

Question 46

Suggestibility

Answer 46

Tendency to incorporate misleading information from external sources into personal recollections. People can develop false memories in response to suggestions. Adaptive: survival/protective trait

Question 47

Bias

Answer 47

Distorting influences of present knowledge, beliefs, and feelings on recollection of previous experiences. Not usually aware of biases.

Question 48

Consistency Bias

Answer 48

Tendency to reconstruct the past to fit the present | Adaptive: Recognizing errors/what should have happened to prevent in future

Question 49

Change Bias

Answer 49

Tendency to exaggerate differences between what we feel or believe now, and what we felt or believed in the past

Question 50

Egocentric Bias

Answer 50

Tendency to exaggerate the change between present and past in order to make ourselves look good in retrospect Adaptive: Look better as a leader/politics/etc.

Question 51

Persistence

Answer 51

Intrusive recollection of events that we wish we could forget. Often after disturbing/traumatic events. Emotional experiences are better remembered.

Question 52

Flashbulb Memories

Answer 52

Detailed recollections of when and where we heard about shocking events. The amygdala is involved in emotional memory --> signals the hippocampus to encode this memory as something of more significance. Emotional latency Adaptive: Lesson learning, remembering something so that it doesn't occur again