Memory Flashcards
What are the different types of memory?
SHORT TERM MEMORY
- working memory
LONG TERM MEMORY
- episodic (autobiographical)
- semantic (facts and info)
- declarative (can be recounted verbally)
- procedural (e.g. clutch control)
- prospective (e.g. need to fill petrol)
What are the 3 key processes in memory?
- ENCODING
- STORAGE
- RETRIEVAL
‘forgetting’ can result from failure in any of these processes
What is the MULTI-STORE MODEL of MEMORY?
Atkinson and Shiffrin, 1974
a basic model for memory
4 main components:
- SENSORY INPUTS
- SENSORY STORE (the residual sensation you feel immediately after removal of the stimulus)
- SHORT TERM MEMORY
- LONG TERM MEMORY
What are the 2 main types of SENSORY MEMORY?
AUDITORY
(aka ECHOIC)
holds info for ~ 3s
VISUAL
(aka ICONIC)
holds info for ~ 250ms
What is short term memory more comply referred to as now?
WORKING MEMORY
What are the 3 components of the SHORT TERM MEMORY?
CENTRAL EXECUTIVE
this resembles what we’d term ATTENTION
PHONOLOGICAL LOOP
holds info in a speech-based form
VISUO-SPATIAL SKETCHPAD
specialised for holding visual and spatial info
Are there any differences between working and short term memory?
largely the same concept
working memory is a much more dynamic version of UNITARY short term memory
What is the difference between WORKING and LONG TERM MEMORY?
WORKING MEMORY
limited capacity
LONG TERM MEMORY
can theoretically work without limit in both capacity and storage duration
What is the capacity of working memory?
can only store ~ 7 PIECES OF INFO in memory
‘chunking’ - grouping bits of info to make remembering easier (however this also has pitfalls)
What kind of INTERFERENCE exists in WORKING memory?
RETROACTIVE INTERFERENCE
new info interferes with existing old info
PROACTIVE INTERFERENCE
old info interferes with new info recall
Why is INTERFERENCE an issue in working memory?
Traces only remain in working memory with repeated rehearsal
therefore prone to interference
What is the PRIMARY-RECENCY EFFECT?
aka Serial Position effect
when presented with lots of info in serial order, we remember more from the BEGINNING and END of the list
and forget the middle of the list
How is LONG TERM MEMORY formed?
transfer process from working memory -> long term memory
=> rehearsal
=> elaboration
very large capacity
storage can be between a few mins and a lifetime
How are memories stored for LONG TERM MEMORY?
meaning is ENCODED rather than stored as EXACT REPRESENTATION
this conversion to long term storage is called CONSOLIDATION
What is CONSOLIDATION?
Structural change to the neural pathways
Long term potentiation (LTP) => synapse strengthening, cellular foundation of memory
requires metabolic activity for minutes/hours after the stimulus has been presented
How does memory RETRIEVAL work?
- CUE
(e. g. prompt, reminder, question) - Original stimulus is RECONSTRUCTED using info from cue
- the greater the amount of info available, the easier the retrieval
- good, filing system also aids retrieval
(e. g. memory aids, mnemonics, making memories personally relevant) - retrieval may be affected by interference (practice vs retroactive)
What factors can affect memory RETRIEVAL?
LEVELS OF PROCESSING
more something is elaborated at time of encoding, then easier to retrieve
ORGANISATION
filing system should be neat and categorised
CONTEXT
state-dependent memory
same location for encoding and retrieval can aid this process
What is DISSOCIATING FUNCTION in memory?
present in Working and Long term memory
dissociation between learning of new facts or events
but retention of ability to learn new skills
due to memory being stored in different brain regions
What is PROCEDURAL MEMORY?
memory for how to do things/skills
occurs often in absence of conscious recollection
What is DECLARATIVE MEMORY?
memory for facts, for info that can be conveyed by verbal statements
included semantic and episodic memories
e.g. your DoB
What is KORSAKOFF’s
aka temporal lobe amnesia
consequence of chronic EtOH abuse
What memory deficits might someone with Korsakoff’s have?
= temporal lobe defect
able to learn new PROCEDURAL skills
unable to learn new DECLARATIVE facts
What are the 2 types of DECLARATIVE MEMORY?
SEMANTIC MEMORY
facts, ideas etc
e.g. capital cities
EPISODIC MEMORY
memory of events, situations ALL CENTRED AROUND YOU
e.g. first day at uni
eating breakfast
What is RECOGNITION in memory?
sensing a stimulus as FAMILIAR
generally easier than recall, info contained within cue
can be direct from a set stimuli
or indirect from a mental search of a long term memory store
What is RECALL in memory?
reconstruction of a stimulus using the info available from the cue and info from long term storage
checked by recognition process
requires greater cognition than recognition
can be direct from the cue
or arise after problem-solving have been used
Is memory a stable and static process?
NO
it is not entirely stable
recall and recognition can be inaccurate
eg. eye witness testimony in court cases
What are the main causes of FORGETTING in memory?
[usually in working memory or long term memory]
PASSAGE OF TIME
- rapid decay of info from working memory
- cell death leads to loss of long term memory
- dementia may accelerate previous point
INTERFERENCE
proactive vs retroactive for:
- storage from working memory
- remoulding of connections over time
What are the main ways by which AMNESIA may be brought on?
DAMAGE
head injury, stroke
CHRONIC EtOH ABUSE
Korsakoff’s syndrome
affects storage and retrieval (B1, B6, B12)
DEGENERATIVE DISEASE
Alzheimers
Atrophy, generalised cognitive impairment
REVERSIBLE BRAIN DISEASE
tumours, hydrocephalus, subdural, B1, B6, B12, endocrine disease, syphilis
PSYCHOGENIC MEMORY LOSS
PTSD, abuse, war
What are the 2 types of AMNESIA?
ANTEROGRADE
inability to store new info
RETROGRADE
inability to recall info prior to trauma
often following a closed head injury
often relatively short in duration
What factors may affect a person’s memory for MEDICAL INFO?
HIGHER IQ
GREATER MEDICAL/TECHNICAL INFO
HIGHER ANXIETY (improves memory, but reduced problem solving and flexibility)
What are patients more likely to REMEMBER?
- info at start or end of consultation
- statements that are perceived to be important and self-relevant
- less info overall
- short words and sentences
- organised material (chunking)
- repetition
- explicit and concrete instructions
