memory key terms Flashcards
coding
the format in which information is stored in the various memory stores.
capacity
the amount of information that can be held in a memory store
duration
the length of time information can be held in memory.
short term memory
the limited capacity memory store. coding is mainly acoustic, capacity is between 5 and 9 and duration is around 18 and 30 seconds.
long term memory
the permanent memory store. coding is mainly semantic it has unlimited capacity and can store memories for up to a lifetime.
multi store model of memory
representation of how memory works in terms of three stores called sensory register, short term memory and long term memory. also explains how information is transferred from one store to another, how it is remembered and how it is forgotten.
sensory register
memory stores for each of our 5 senses.coding in iconic is visual and coding in echoic is acoustic. capacity is huge and duration is less than a second.
episodic memory
long term memory store for personal events. memories are time stamped. have to be retrieved consciously and with effort.
semantic memory
long term memory store for our knowledge of the world. includes facts and what concepts mean. usually also needs to be recalled deliberately.
procedural memory
long term memory store for our knowledge of how to do things. includes memories of learned skills. usually recall these without making a conscious effort.
working memory model
representation of how stm works. suggests stm is a dynamic processor of different types of information using sub units coordinated by a central decision making system.
central executive
coordinates the activity of the three subsystems of memory. allocates processing resources to those activities.
phonological loop
processes information in terms of sound. includes bith written and spoken material divided into the phonological store and the articulatory process.
visuo spatial sketchpad
processes visual and spatial information in a mental space often called our inner eye.
episodic buffer
brings together material from other sub systems into a single memory rather than separate strands. also provides a bridge between working memory and long term memory.
interference
forgetting because one memory blocks another, causing one or both memories to be distorted or forgotten.
proactive interference
older memories disrupt the recall of newer memories. degree of forgetting is greater when the memories are similar.
retroactive interference
newer memories disrupt the recall of older memories already stored. degree of forgetting is greater when memories are similar.
retrieval failure
a form of forgetting. occurs when we dont have the necessary cues to to access memory. memory is available but not accessible unless a suitable cue is provided.
cue
a trigger of information that allows us to access a memory. cues may be meaningful or may be indirectly linked by being encoded at the time of learning.
eyewitness testimony
ability of people to remember to remember the details of events that they themselves have observed. accuracy can be affected by factors such as misleading information, leading questions and anxiety.
misleading information
incorrect information given to the eyewitness usually after the event. can take many forms such as leading questions and post even discussions with co witness and or other people.
leading question
a question which, because of the way it is phrased, suggests a certain answer.
post event discussion
occurs when there is more than one witness to an event. witnesses may discuss what they saw with co witnesses or with other people. this could affect the accuracy of each eyewitnesses recall of an event.
anxiety
state of emotional and physical arousal. emotions include having worried thoughts and feelings of tension. physical changes include increased heart rate and sweatiness. normal reaction but can affect the accuracy and detail of eyewitness testimony.
cognitive interview
a method of interviewing eyewitnesses to help them retrieve more accurate memories. uses four main techniques all based on well established psychological knowledge of human memory.
