Memory Key Terms

Question 1

Coding

Answer 1

The format in which information is stored in the various memory stores

Question 2

Capacity

Answer 2

The amount of information that can be held in a memory store

Question 3

Duration

Answer 3

The length of time information can be held in memory

Question 4

Short Term Memory

Answer 4

The limited capacity memory store. Acoustic coding, Capacity is 7 plus minus 2, Duration is up to 30 seconds

Question 5

Long Term Memory

Answer 5

The permanent memory store. Semantic coding, unlimited capacity, memories can be stored for up to a lifetime

Question 6

Multi-Store-Model (MSM)

Answer 6

A representation of how memory works in terms of three stores called sensory register, short-term memory and long-term memory. It also describes how information is transferred from one store to another, how it is remembered and how it is forgotten

Question 7

Sensory Register

Answer 7

The memory store for each of out 5 senses such as vision (iconic store) and hearing (echoic store). Coding in the iconic store is visual and on the echoic store it is acoustic. The capacity of sensory registers is huge (millions) and information lasts for a very short time (less than half a second)

Question 8

Episodic Memory

Answer 8

A long-term memory store for personal events. It includes memories of when the events occurred and of the people, objects, places and behaviours involved. Memories from this store have to be retrieved consciously and with effort

Question 9

Semantic Memory

Answer 9

A long-term memory store for our knowledge of the world. This includes facts and our knowledge of what words and concepts mean. These memories usually need to be recalled deliberately

Question 10

Procedural Memory

Answer 10

A long-term memory store for our knowledge of how to do things. This includes our memories of learned skills. We usually recall these memories without making a conscious or deliberate effort

Question 11

Working-Memory Model (WMM)

Answer 11

A representation of short-term memory. It suggest that STM is a dynamic processor of different types of information using sub-units coordinated by a central decision making system

Question 12

Central Executive

Answer 12

The component of the WMM that co-ordinates the activities is the three subsystems in memory. It also allocates processing resources to those activities

Question 13

Phonological Loop

Answer 13

The component of the WMM that processes information in terms of sound. This includes both written and spoken material. It’s divided into the phonological store and the articulatory process

Question 14

Phonological Store

Answer 14

Part of the PL which stores the information that you hear

Question 15

Articulatory Process

Answer 15

Part of the PL which allows maintenance rehearsal to occur

Question 16

Visuo-Spatial Sketchpad

Answer 16

The component of the WMM that processes visual and spatial information in a mental space often called our “inner eye”

Question 17

Episodic Buffer

Answer 17

The component of the WMM that brings together material from the other subsystems info a single memory rather that separate strands. It also provides a bridge between working memory and long term memory

Question 18

Inference

Answer 18

Forgetting because one memory blocks another, causing one or both memories to be distorted or forgotten

Question 19

Proactive Interference

Answer 19

Forgetting occurs when older memories, already stored, disrupt the recall of newer memories. The degree of forgetting is greater when the memories are similar

Question 20

Retroactive Interference

Answer 20

Forgetting occurs when newer memories disrupt the recall of already stored older memories. The degree of forgetting is greater when the memories are similar

Question 21

Retrieval Failure

Answer 21

A form of forgetting. It occurs when we don’t have the necessary cues to access memory. The memory is available but not accessible unless a suitable cue is provided

Question 22

Cue

Answer 22

A “trigger” of information that allows us to access a memory. Such cues may be meaningful or may be indirectly linked by being encoded at the time of learning

Question 23

Eyewitness Testimony

Answer 23

The ability of people to remember the details of events, such as accidents and crimes, which they observe themselves. Accuracy of EWT can be affected by anxiety, leading questions and misleading information

Question 24

Misleading Information

Answer 24

Incorrect information given to the eyewitness after the event. It can take many forms, such as leading questions and post event discussion between co-witnesses and/or other people

Question 25

Leading Question

Answer 25

A question which, because of the way it is phrased, suggests a certain answer

Question 26

Post-Event Discussion

Answer 26

PED occurs when there is more than one witness to an event. Witnesses may discuss what they have seen with other co-witnesses or with other people. This may influence the accuracy of each witness’s recall of the event

Question 27

Anxiety

Answer 27

A state of emotional and physical arousal. The emotions includes worried thoughts and feelings of tension. Physical changes include an increased heart rate. Anxiety is a normal reaction to stressful situations, but can affect the accuracy and detail of EWT

Question 28

Cognitive Interview

Answer 28

A method of interviewing eyewitnesses to help themretrieve more accurate memories. It uses four main techniques, all based on well established knowledge of human memory.