Memory - Encoding, Storage & Retrieval Flashcards
Encoding
Translation of information so that it can be stored
Storage
Information is kept in your brain for a period of time
Retrieval
Process of accessing stored information
Visual encoding
Memories stored visually
Acoustic encoding
Memories stored in terms of sound
Semantic encoding
Memories stored according to meaning
Tactile encoding
Memories of what things feel like
Olfactory encoding
Memories of what things smell like
Long Term Memory
- Very large capacity and duration
- Coding is mainly semantic
- Permanent memory
Short Term Memory
- Limited capacity and duration
- Info tends to be encoded acoustically
- Temporary store
Recognition
Seeing something and identifying/recognising it (different from trying to recall something)
Cued recall
You can remember something but only after someone gives you a clue
Free recall
Retrieval without clues
What was the aim of Alan Baddeley’s study of encoding?
To see if there was a difference in the type of encoding used in STM & LTM
What was the method of Alan Baddeley’s study of encoding?
Four groups of participants each had a word list (10 words).
Group A heard 12 sets of 5 words from list A.
After each set of words participants were immediately asked to recall the five words in correct order.
They had a list of the ten words but had to remember the order.
Group B did the same with list B.
Group C did the same with list C but waited 20 mins before recall.
Group D did the same with list D.
What was the results of Alan Baddeley’s study of encoding?
Participants did worse with list A then with list B.
They did worse with list C than list D.
What was the conclusion of Alan Baddeley’s study of encoding?
(STM)
List A had acoustically similar words but list B had dissimilar words.
Results suggest words are encoded acoustically because the acoustically similar words got muddled up so they must’ve been listening to the sounds of the words.
This applies to STM.
What was the conclusion of Alan Baddeley’s study of encoding?
(LTM)
List C had semantically similar words but List D had dissimilar words.
Results suggest info is coded semantically because the similar words got muddled up so they must’ve been focussing on the meaning of the words.
Applies to LTM because the lists were recalled after 20 mins.
A strength of Baddeley’s experiment
- It’s a well controlled experiment which enhances validity of results.
- It was a lab experiment so conditions could be controlled & all participants had a hearing test beforehand so hearing wasn’t an EV.
- The level of control means we can be more confident that the results are due to changes in the IV.
A weakness of Baddeley’s experiment
- Baddeley may not have been testing LTM at all.
- They only waited 20 mins which may not really be LTM.
- He may not have been testing what he claimed to be.
