memory Flashcards
processes of memory
encoding
storage
retrieval
Atkinson’s multistore model of memory
sensory
short term
long term
types of sensory
iconic
echoic
types of long term
declarative
procedural
encoding
process of putting information into a form which will allow it to fit in with your personal storage system (electrochemical code)
storage
keeping information in brain, storing in an organised way
retrieval
process of getting information back from memory
- depends on the right cues so we can get to the correct location
- spread over a huge population of cells throughout different regions of the brain
- memories are rough copies rather than exact replicas
sensory memory
- entry point of memory where new incoming sensory information is stored for a very brief period
- transfers to short term memory if the person pays attention to it, where we become consciously aware of it
- unlimited storage capacity
- information is either lost due to decay (not being used) and displacement (being pushed out)
short term memory
limited store
actively conscious memory
information transferred to long term memory if it has been encoded
long term memory
virtually limitless capacity
needs retrieval to bring back into consciousness
permanent memory storage
atkinson shiffrin multi store model of memory
shows the flow of information; environmental input (information from our surroundings) enters short term memory if paid attention to; can enter long term memory (permanent storage of information) if rehearsed and encoded.
function of sensory memory
- perceive the world as smooth and ongoing as possible
- prevents us from being overwhelmed by the huge amounts of incoming sensory information
sensory memory
information in environment is received by the senses
- unlimited capacity bu brief duration
iconic memory
visual sensory memory
0.3 seconds
unlimited capacity
fades rapidly
echoic memory
acoustic form of encoding
3-4 seconds
fades rapidly
unlimited capacity
short term memory
allows us to retain information for long enough to use it
short term memory as a whole
- incoming sensory information and if sufficiently attended to then enters short term memory
- draw information from long term memory to short term memory to evaluate and understand information we are working on now
duration and capacity of short term memory
duration: 12-30 seconds (no interference)
capacity: 5-9 pieces of information
when capacity of stm is reached
new information can only be put into stm by displacing existing information
interference
when new information enters stm and pushes out information that is in our immediate awareness
maintenance rehearsal
- retain info (keep it in our immediate awareness)
- increases chances of it being moved to long term memory
methods of maintenance rehearsal
verbal (using words)
non-verbal (using visuals or spatial awareness)
verbal (using words)
vocal - saying words out loud
sub-vocal - thinking words silently to one self
non-verbal (using visuals or spatial awareness)
visualising: keeping an image in one’s mind
muscular: imagining how it feels to perform an action
where is long term memory stored
semantic networks
duration and capacity of long term memory
duration: difficult to determine because sometimes they are thought to be ‘forgotten’ but with appropriate cues, will come back
capacity: difficult to determine because ‘forgetting’ long term memory is due to poor retrieval cues rather than capacity limitations
2 types of long term
declarative
procedural
declarative
semantic
episodic
semantic memory
memory of facts or knowledge
episodic memory
personalised memories of events
autobiographical memory
declarative memory
memories of personal experiences (events) and facts
procedural memory
‘how to’ memories
occurs after practice’
resistance to forgetting
link between implicit and procedural
- memory for skills is largely unconscious
- these memories do not decline much
2 types of episodic memory
retrospective - remembering past events
prospective - remembering things to do in the future
implicit
unconscious retrieval of memories
does not require intentional, deliberate recall
procedural, motor learning and classical conditioning
explicit
conscious retrieval of memory (recall and recognition)
declarative memory
hippocampus
amygdala
- brain structure involved in implicit memory and emotional aspects of declarative memory (recognising emotions of faces)
- forms long term implicit
- procedural memories such as skill learning and classical conditioning
- contributes to explicit/declarative memory consolidation
photographic memory
ability to form and recall sharp, detailed visual images of a picture after examining for a short amount of time
frontal lobes
- storage, processing and encoding procedural memories
- episodic memories
- memory for language (higher order thinking) and memory for motor skills tasks
occipital lobes
memories of pictures
parietal lobes
spatial awareness (awareness of oneself in space)
temporal lobes
memories for sound
memory for the names of colours
hippocampus
forming explicit memories
integrates information from a number of brain areas to form a single declarative memory that it transfers to long term memory (relay station between STM and LTM)
consolidating and retrieving long term declarative memories
- does not permanently store the memories itself
basal ganglia
- long term procedural memory
- movement
cerebellum
- encoding, processing and temporary storing procedural implicit memories
- classical conditioned responses (implicit memory)
- memory of motor skills tasks
role of hippocampus
- these cells are able to reproduce and enable new memories to form
- forming and consolidating explicit memory and memory of complex tasks that require declarative memory
- establishing the background or context for new memories such as location and situation
- transfers declarative memory to other relevant parts of the brain for permanent storage as ltm (such as cerebral cortex)
role of amygdala
- formation of implicit memories (classical conditioning and emotional memory)
hippocampal damage
- hippocampus is responsible for explicit memory consolidation (declarative memories like general knowledge or personal experiences); so if this is damaged, they are still able to learn and remember procedural information such as motor skills or habits but cannot remember actually performing them.
- fail to consolidate memories but could still have procedural memories
cerebral cortex
- formation and storage of implicit and explicit memories
- long term declarative memories stored in different cortical areas
- procedural memories tend to be stored in frontal lobes
memory
- consisting of a collection of interconnected and interacting systems
- encoding, storage and retrieval of information acquired through learning
decay in STM
information is not renewed (e.g. through repetition) and simply fades away with the passage of time
chunking
- grouping of separate bits of information into a larger single unit of information to increase capacity of STM
when retrieving explicit memories
- hippocampus will enable you to remember details of the memory such as where and when the event happened
- amygdala remember the emotional arousal content and sympathetic nervous system reactions that have been linked to the memory may be initiated; such as your muscles may tighten, heart may beat faster.
