Memory

Question 1

What is the definition of learning?

Answer 1

The process by whch we aquire knowledge about the world

Question 2

What is the definition of memory?

Answer 2

Process by which this knowledge (learning) is encoded, stored and then retried at a later point in time

Question 3

What is encoding?

Answer 3

Process of getting information into the system by translating it into neural code that your brain then processes.

Question 4

What are the three types of encoding processing?

Answer 4

Structural processing
Phonological processing
Semantic processing

Question 5

What is structural processing?

Answer 5

Shallow.

Remembering how the stimulus LOOKS

Question 6

What is phonological processing?

Answer 6

Intermediate.

Remembering how the stimulus SOUNDS

Question 7

What is sematic processing?

Answer 7

Deep

Remembering what the stimulus MEANS

Question 8

What is stored memory?

Answer 8

Retaining information over time

Question 9

What are the two forms of stored memory?

Answer 9

Associative networks

neural networks

Question 10

What are associative networks?

Answer 10

• a massive network of associated ideas and concepts, one node connected to many other nodes, and activation of one networked leads to a spreading activation of related concepts

Question 11

What are neural networks?

Answer 11

in neural networks, each memorys is not a single node that is activated, but is represented by a unique pattern of interconnected and simultaneously activated nodes.

They are nodes that are distributed throughout the network fire in parallel and spread their activation to other notes. This is called Parallel Distributed Processing models

Question 12

what are the three types of memory mechanisms?

Answer 12

Encoding, storage, retrieval

Question 13

What is retrieved memory?

Answer 13

Processes that access stored information

Question 14

What is a retrieval cue?

Answer 14

A stimulus, whether internal or external, that activates information stored in long term memory

Question 15

Why are stimuli that trigger an emotional response in encoding remembered better?

Answer 15

Because triggers that trigger an emotional response in encoding triggers the release of stress hormones, which increases the activation of the amygdala, and this helps encode emotional aspects of experiences into longer term memories

Question 16

What are autobiographical memories?

Answer 16

Recollections of personally experienced events that make up the stories of our lives

Question 17

What could forgetting be due to? (3 things)

Answer 17

1. Encoding failure - e.g. havent tried to create associations with existing knowledge
2. decay of the memory trace - it is hard to visualise in the brain
3. interferences - e.g. new knowledge interferes with existing knowledge and vice versa

Question 18

What is anterograde amnesia?

Answer 18

Not being able to remember new information learned after the onset of amnesia

Question 19

What is retrograde amnesia?

Answer 19

Not being able to remember events occuring prior to the onset of amnesia

Question 20

What are the two types of long term memory?

Answer 20

Implicit (nondeclarative) memory

Explicit (declarative) memory

Question 21

What is implicit memory?

Answer 21

Forms of long term memory that influence behaviour, but do not involve conscious recollection

Builds up slowly with repetition

Not dependent on medial temporal lobe structures

Question 22

What are the four types of implicit memory?

Answer 22

Procedural (knowing HOeW to perform certain actions)
Priming (processing of a stimulus is influenced by the prior presentation of a stimulus related to it)
Associative learning: classical conditioning, learning to associate one stimulus with another
Nonassociative learning: Habituation and sensitization

Question 23

What is explicit memory?

Answer 23

Involves concious recollection and includes memory for facts AND events

Question 24

What are the two types of explicit memory?

Answer 24

Episodic and Semantic

Question 25

What is episodic memory?

Answer 25

Events

Concerned with personal experiences and events occuring in a given place at a specific time.

Characterised by autonoetic awareness; an awareness that allows us to be aware of the subjective time when an event occured

Question 26

What is a health condition that affects episodic memory?

Answer 26

Alzheimers disease

Question 27

what is semantic memory?

Answer 27

Facts

concerned with general knowledge about the world, concepts, language and so on.

Question 28

What is a health condition that affects semantic memory?

Answer 28

semantic amnesia

Forgetting what words mean

A condition involving damage to the anterior temporal lobes in which there is a widespread loss of information about the meanings of words, concepts and facts.