Memory components and visuo-spatial Flashcards
What is memory
process involved in retaining, retrieving and using information of the past which affects the present, and possibly the future
What are the components of memory
sensory, working and long-term
What are the components of sensory memory
iconic and echoic
what are the components of working memory
phonological and visuo-spatial
what are the components of long-term memory
procedural (episodic) and semantic (declarative)
What does working memory hold?
Information…
» recently derived from sensory input,
» recently retrieved from long-term memory, or
» recently generated by ongoing operations
» as input for ongoing and imminent mental operations and overt actions
Why is WM thought to be distinct from long-term memory
» introspection » physiology » consideration of computational utility » experiments on normal subjects » effects of brain damage
Three reasons (a priori) for positing a separate “working memory”
Introspection, physiology, complex info processing systems
How can you measure STM
brown-peterson paradigm,
probed recall,
free recall
What is the Brown-Peterson distraction paradigm?
- P reads a short list (of 3 words/letters in this example), tries to retain it while (e.g.) counting backwards by threes, until cued to recall
- Retention interval varies from trial to trial.
- Retention rapidly declines over time, then levels off: two memory components?
What is probed recall?
- S sees or hears a long sequence of items (e.g. digit names), followed by a probe item that was in the sequence.
- Must recall the item that followed the probe
- Rapid forgetting followed by slower loss - two components?
What is free recall?
- S sees/hears a long sequence of items.
- At end of list tries to recall as many as possible in any order. If one asks to recall the last items first, they are relatively well remembered – the recency effect
WHat is the recency effect?
recall the last items first, they are relatively well remembered
What are explanations for the pattern of STM forgettting
Dual-trace and single-trace theory
What is the dual-trace theory?
Retrieval after short interval mediated by temporary rapidly-decaying memory trace; retrieval after longer interval mediated by a more permanent memory trace.
