Memory and short term/ working memory Flashcards
what is memory
processes involved in retaining, retrieving and using information about stimuli, images, events, ideas and skills after the original information is no longer present
encoding
incoming information is acquired and processed
storage
a record of the eoncoded information is stroed in the brain
retrieval
the information is recovered from the memory stored and brought to consciousess or used to execute a behaviour like a motor act
when memory fails =
forgetting can occur at any point in encoding storage retrieval
caveats of stages of memory theory
computer theory of encoding, storage and retrival
in reality not as neat and independe as in the computer
new learning is dependent on knowledge
successful aquisition is dependent on how that information is to be used later
explain the modal model of memory
computer as a model for human cognition memory is an integrated systme that processes information -aquire, store and retrieve information -components of memory do not act in isolation memory has a limited capacity -space -resources -time
how the modal model works diagram
incoming info
sensory memory
short term memory (maintained via rehersal
to either long term memory or lost
the retrieved from long term memory to the short term memory
in modal memory what are control processes
active processes that can be controlled by the person
- rehersal
- strategies used to make a stimulus more memoreable
- strategies of attention
was the modal model of memory special
yes cited to a huge extent
was a benchmark, changed the way memory was studied
in modal memory model what does the sensory memory do
short lived sensory memory registers all of most information that hits our sensory receptors
visual = iconic
auditory = echoic
information decays very quickly
holds large amounts of information for a short period of time
holds the information very accutrately for a short period of time for initial processing and fills in the blanks
eg persistence of vision due to sensory memory - sparklers trail of light
sperling’s modal memory - sensory memory study
measured capacity and duration of sensory memory
array of letters flashed on screen
then tone signalling to remember top middle of bottom (after letters have dissappeared)
when had to whole report - remember whole array = 4.5/12 letters
partial report - 3.3/4 letters for any row
delayed partial report - performance decreases rapidly
modal memory model
short term memory explained
sotres small amounts of information for a brief duration
includes both new information received from the sensory store and information recalled rfom long term memory
modal memory model
long term memory explained
stores unlimited amount of information for an unlimited period of time
no proof for this claim
differences between STM and LTM in modal model memory
capacity
duration
getting infor into or out of STM is easier than LTM
benefits of cues and hints
what is working memory
similar concept to short term memory
limited capacity system for temporary storge and manipulation of information for complex tasks such as comprehension, learning and reasoning
how does working memory differ from original definition of STM
STM is a single component, WM = multiple parts
STM holds info for a brief period of time
WM is concerned with processing and manipulation of information that occurs during complex cognition
what is the primacy effect
better memory for first few items as they were said first in the list
memory rehersal allowed them to transfer from WM to LTM
then when testes items were retrieved from LTM
what is the recency effect
better memory for the last few words in a list
items still fresh in WM
retrieval directly from WM at test
very easy to get info out of WM
name some evidence we have for modal model memory
serial position curve the remebering of items in lists of words depend on their position in a list so primacy effect dip in remembering huge spike at end due to recency effect
how did to prove recency effect
make participants do a filler task after finishing hearing the words
primacy effect stays in tact, recency effect dissapears
what does slow presentation of words do in serial position recall
same recency effect
memory for the list is better as more time to reherse all the words
retrieval from LTM specifically activated the
hippocampus
retrieval from WM specifically activates the
perirhinal cortex
how to measure the duration of WM
read three letters then a number begin counting backwards by threes after a set time recall tree letters delay of three seconds = 80% performance 18 second delay = 10% performance conc - working memory, when rehersal is prevented holds infor 15-20 seconds
what was the original theory that described working memory duration and what is the alternative explanation
decay of information
proactive interference - occurs when information learned previously interferes with learning new information
how was proactive information demonstrated
best on first trisl
got worse after many trials
how can we measure the capacity of WM
digit span test
typical recall = 5-8 items
