Memory and Memory Systems Flashcards
What is memory
Knowledge that is stored in the brain, and to the processes of encoding, consolidating, storing and retrieving such knowledge
What aspects are included in the processing approach to memory
Encoding, storage, retrieval
What is encoding
Entering the information int the system
What is storage
Retains memories over time
What is retrieval
Finding and recovering stored memories
Describe the multi-store model of memory
Sensory memory -> short term memory -> long term memory
What is displacement
When information is replaced by more relevant information
What is the amygdala responsible for
Emotional processing
Describe sensory memory
Retains 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 is ignored or processes depending on the relevance (meaningful assembly before moving to the next stage)
What is iconic memory
Early, fast, automatic storage of visual forms (under 1 second)
What is echoic memory
Early, fast, automatic storage of auditory information (up to 4 seconds)
What is hepatic memory
(touch, sensation), smell and memory (olfactory bulb)
Describe short term memory
Memory information currently held “in mind”- temporary recall. Limited capacity- most adults can store between 5-9 items (Miller (1956) the magic number 7 + 2). Limited duration (~20 seconds)- storage is fragile information can be lost by decay or interference. Information is lost due to decay, displacement, interference
What is a method that increases STM
Chunking
What are the components of working memory
Phonological loop, visuospatial sketch pad, central executive, episodic buffer (introduced in 2000)
Describe working memory
Working memory is a system that allows for the temporary storage and manipulation of information to allow for reasoning, learning and comprehension. A mental “workspace” linked to attention which provides a basis for conscious thought and the organisation of behaviour
What is the phonological loop
Temporary storage and rehearsal of speech-like formation
What is the visuo-spatial sketch pad
Temporary holding and manipulation of visual images
What is the central executive
controls the whole system, allocates data to the subsystems (visuo-spatial sketch pad and phonological loop), plans sequence of tasks to accomplish goals, schedules processes in complex tasks
Where s the central executive located
In the prefrontal cortex
What is the episodic buffer
Provides a connection between different structures making it crucial for memory. The central executive has been linked to the prefrontal cortex
Describe long term memory
A system (or systems) assumed to underpin capacity to store information over long periods of time
What is consolidation
Processes that alter newly stored and still liable information so as to make it more stable for long term storage- takes a long time, involves rehearsal and meaningful association
What is storage
Process of creating a relatively permanent “memory trace” in the brain
What is long term potentiation
Strengthening of neural networks with repeated use
What is direct/ implicit retrieval
Process of deliberately searching for and recovering target memory ‘trace’ in response to a cue, bringing target into conscious awareness (explicit recall or recognition); explicit memory retrieval critically dependent on working memory- central executive retrieves relevant information from long-term memory and inhibits irrelevant information
What is indirect/ implicit retrieval
Process of recovering target memory ‘trace’ without conscious remembering demonstrated by e.g. improvements in skilled task performance or changes in behaviour based on experience; fundamental distinction between declarative ‘explicit’ and non-declarative ‘implicit’ memory.
What are the two main varieties of LTM
Explicit (declarative) and implicit (non-declarative) memory
What is amnesia
Disorder of memory with preserved intellect and perception, severe forgetfulness. In amnesia the ability to retain information is affected but intellect remains intact
What is anterograde amnesia
A problem encoding, storing or retrieving new information
What is reterograde amnesia
A problem remembering events that occurred in the past
What are the causes of amnesia
Temporal lobe surgery: individuals become amnesic as a result of deliberate surgical procedures. (E.g. H.M). Herpes simplex encephalitis: a virus of the brain which can leave individuals severely amnesic. Very rare. (E.g. Clive Wearing). Anoxia/hypoxia: reduction in oxygen supply to the brain (E.g. perinatal hypoxia as cause of developmental amnesia (Jon)). Korsakoff syndrome: usually from chronic alcoholism, mainly characterised by a memory impairment. Alzheimer’s disease (AD): most common cause of amnesia. Not a pure form of amnesia because usually complicated by additional symptoms of dementia
Describe HM (Henry Molaison)
Epileptic seizures from age of 10, quality of life extremely poor, surgery in 1953 (aged 27). Surgical removal of medial temporal lobes, including hippocampus and adjacent cortical regions (bilateral medial temporal lobectomy). After surgery: Good news –no more seizures; bad news –profound forgetfulness. Immediately showed a severe anterograde amnesia that persisted for the rest of his life. Studied from 1953 until his death in 2008, aged 82. Described his state as “like waking from a dream … every day is alone in itself”
What does the fact that HM is able to learn new skills mean
His procedural memory is intact
What is hippocampal amnesia
Impairs explicit or declarative memory (new conscious memories for facts and events), but spares multiple forms of implicit (nondeclarative) memory
What is Ribot’s law
Sparing of remote memory and impairment of recent memory. In the early stages you remember you have children but focus on them from years ago. Medial temporal cannot be ultimate storage site for LTM
What are the aspects of declarative memory
Episodic and semantic
Describe episodic memory and brain regions involved
Personal episodes in time and space. Hippocampus, medial temporal lobe, neocortex
Describe semantic memory and brain regions involved
Facts, meanings, concepts and knowledge about the external world. Lateral and anterior temporal cortex, prefrontal cortex
What are the aspects of non-declarative memory
Procedural, priming and perceptual learning, simple classical conditioning, non-associative learning
Describe procedural memory and brain regions involved
Skills and habit. Striatum, cerebellum, motor cortex
What brain regions are involved in priming and procedural memory
Neocortex
What brain regions are involved in simple classical conditioning
Amygdala and cerebellum
What brain regions are involved in non-associative learning
Reflex pathways
An experimental task requires participants to observe a sequence of taps performed by the experimenter to nine cubical blocks positioned randomly in front of the participant, and to repeat the sequence of taps to the blocks. What component of working memory is being assessed
Visuospatial. The test is referred to as a Corsi block tapping test and is widely used to assess visuospatial working memory. Only the examiner can view the number assigned to each block
A 75-year-old male presents to a memory clinic. He is unable to name the capital of France and the current prime minister of the UK. What type of memory is most likely to be affected
Semantic. Semantic memory is a form of declarative long-term memory that involves facts and information about the world (general knowledge), the meaning of words, the sounds of letters and concepts that are not dependent upon personal experience
: A 65-year-old female presents with disorientation to name an inability to remember personal events that took prior to a traumatic experience. There is no organic cause to account for these symptoms. What term best described this type of memory loss
Psychogenic. Also known as dissociative amnesia, usually follows after exposure to an extreme stressor or traumatic event. This can lead to retrograde memory loss for information just prior to event, and in severe cases orientation to name can also be affected (forgetting one’s own name, age, address). It is psychogenic as there is no organic cause
A 55-year-old male presents with severe anterograde amnesia but is able to learn a new motor skill. Which regions are most likely responsible for this ability
Striatum and Cerebellum. The cerebellum has been found to be important in procedural memory, along with the striatum (part of the basal ganglia) and motor cortex
: A 45-year-old female presents with autobiographical memory impairment, specifically in relation to recalling personal events and experiences, and an inability to form new memories. Which region is most likely to have been damaged leading to the symptoms described
Hippocampus. Damage to the hippocampus has been found to impair episodic memory in amnesic patients. The hippocampus also plays an important role in the transferring of information to other cortical areas for future retrieval
