Memory and Memory systems Flashcards
what is memory?
Memory refers to knowledge that is stored in the brain, and to the processes of encoding, consolidating, storing and retrieving
such knowledge
‘Memory’ is a collection of?
‘Memory’ is a collection of mental abilities that depend on several memory systems within the brain
Remembering almost anything involves?
multiple memory processes and recruits several brain memory systems
The information processing approach to
memory
Like a computer, human memory consists of interacting processes, which are:
encoding - entering info into the system
storage - retaining memories overtime
retrieval - finding and recovering stored memories
Three-Stage (multi-store) Model of Memory consists of what:
stimulus from environment-> sensory memory storage -> encodes to short term memory (STM) storage -> elaborative rehearsal and/or encoding to long term memory storage
information that’s not transferred from sensory memory storage to STM is lost
information that’s not transferred from STM to LTM is lost
purpose of sensory memory storage
purpose - holds sensory info
duration - lasts up to 1/2 second for visual, 2-4 secs for auditory
capacity - large
purpose, duration, capacity of short term memory (STM) storage
purpose - holds info temporarily for analysis/memory for info currently held “in mind”/temporary recall
duration - up to 30 secs without rehearsal
capacity - limited, only 5-9 items
Information lost due to decay, displacement, interference
purpose of long term memory storage
purpose - relatively permanent storage
duration - relatively permanent
capacity - relatively unlimited
name 2 things sensory memory consists of?
Retaining impressions of sensory information after exposure to original stimuli
Act as a sensory buffer for stimuli experienced through 5 senses (via sense
organs and primary sensory cortices)
Information ignored or processed depending on relevance
Iconic memory: early, fast, automatic storage of visual forms (under 1s) - e.g briefly for a few seconds, able to remember the kitchen after the light went out
Echoic memory: early, fast, automatic storage of auditory information (up to 4s) - e.g Able to hear a sound briefly after it ended
Haptic memory (touch, sensation), smell & memory (olfactory bulb)
STM (short term memory) can also be called?
working memory (WM), reflecting that STM is
more than just a passive, temporary holding area
what is working memory
A system that allows for the temporary storage and manipulation of information to allow for reasoning, learning, and comprehension
a mental “workspace” is linked to?
linked to attention, which provides a basis
for conscious thought and the organization of behaviour
briefly describe the 3 components of working memory
Phonological loop (PL)
* temporary storage & rehearsal of speech-like information (inner ear and inner voice)
Visuo-spatial sketchpad (VSS)
*Temporary holding & manipulation of
visual images
Central executive
*Controls the whole system
*Allocates data to the subsystems (VSS &
PL) - plans sequence of tasks to
accomplish goals; Schedules processes
in complex tasks
how does the central executive orchestrate the flow of info into long term memory
The central executive is the main control system and it coordinates and manages the subsystems:
Phonological loop - Phonological store & Articulatory control
system
Visuospatial sketchpad - processes and stores visual and spatial information
Episodic buffer
Visuospatial sketchpad associated with?
Visuospatial sketchpad associated with
visual and spatial processing
* Occipital, parietal, frontal lobes
role of episodic buffer
Episodic buffer binds information in
‘slave systems’
* Interacts with central executive and
LTM (long term memory)
Phonological loop involves?
inner ear and inner voice (not everyone has these things)
Central executive has been linked to?
PFC (prefrontal cortex)
Broca’s area is?
expressive
what is consolidation
consolidation - the processes that alter newly stored and still easily altered information so as to make it more stable for long term storage
* Takes a long time
* Involves rehearsal and meaningful association
consolidation of short term memory into long tern memory
stage 4: Retrieval - direct or ‘explicit’ retrieval
[Retrieval is from LTM, LTM has a distinctive split b/w declarative ‘explicit’ and non-declarative ‘implicit’ memory]
deliberately searching for & recovering target memory ‘trace’ in response to a cue, bringing target into conscious awareness (explicit recall or recognition)
Explicit memory retrieval is dependent on?
Explicit memory retrieval is critically
dependent on working memory
- central executive retrieves relevant information from long-term memory and gets rid of irrelevant information
Storage is the process of?
creating a relatively permanent “memory trace” in the brain
stage 4: Retrieval - Indirect or ‘implicit’ retrieval
[Retrieval is from LTM, LTM has a distinctive split b/w declarative ‘explicit’ and non-declarative ‘implicit’ memory]
Process of recovering target memory
‘trace’ without conscious remembering -
demonstrated by e.g. improvements in
skilled task performance or changes in
behavior based on experience
