Memory Key Terms

Question 1

Duration

Answer 1

A measure of how long memory lasts before it is no longer available.

Question 2

Coding

Answer 2

The way information is changed so that it can be stored in memory. Creating a representation of an event, a memory ‘trace’.

Question 3

Capacity

Answer 3

A measure of how much can be held in memory.

Question 4

Multi-store Model of Memory.

Answer 4

An explanation of memory that sees information flowing through a sequence of separate stores (Atkinson and Shiffrin).

Question 5

Sensory register/memory

Answer 5

A short duration (500 milliseconds) store holding impressions of information received by the senses.

Question 6

Short-term memory

Answer 6

A temporary store holding small amounts (7+/-2) of information for brief periods (up to 18 seconds).

Question 7

Maintenance Rehearsal (MSM)

Answer 7

Strategies used to help recall. It is how information passes from STM to LTM.

Question 8

Retrieval (MSM)

Answer 8

The process by which information is recalled from LTM back to STM.

Question 9

Trigram

Answer 9

Three nonsense letters (memorised in Peterson & Peterson experiment on duration of STM).

Question 10

Attention (MSM)

Answer 10

The process which needs to occur to allow for memories to move from the sensory store to STM.

Question 11

Working Memory Model

Answer 11

An explanation that sees short-term memory as an active store holding several pieces of information simultaneously (Baddeley).

Question 12

Central Executive (WMM)

Answer 12

A filter determining which information is attended to. It monitors and coordinates all other mental functions in working memory.

Question 13

Visual-Spatial Sketchpad

Answer 13

Component of the WMM that deals with visual information and the physical relationship of items.

Question 14

Visual Cache (WMM)

Answer 14

Stores information about form and colour.

Question 15

Inner Scribe (WMM)

Answer 15

Stores information about the physical relationship of items.

Question 16

Phonological Loop

Answer 16

Component of the WMM that deals with auditory information.

Question 17

Primary Acoustic Store (WWM)

Answer 17

Stores the words that are heard.

Question 18

Articulately Process (WWM)

Answer 18

Allows sub-vocal repetition of information stored in the phonological loop.

Question 19

Episodic Buffer (WWM)

Answer 19

A slave system dealing with processing and temporary storage of specific types of information.

Question 20

Long-term memory

Answer 20

A permanent store holding limitless amount of information for long periods.

Question 21

Semantic LTM

Answer 21

A form of LTM for meanings, understandings, and other concept-based knowledge e.g. knowing how to calculate the area of a circle.

Question 22

Procedural LTM

Answer 22

A form of LTM for the performance of specific actions, tasks, and skills e.g. riding a bike.

Question 23

Episodic LTM

Answer 23

A form of LTM for events occurring in an individual’s life e.g. wedding day.

Question 24

Interference Theory

Answer 24

An explanation for forgetting in terms of one memory disrupting the ability to recall (a similar) memory.

Question 25

Retroactive Interference

Answer 25

New memories have a retroactive (backwards) effect on trying to retrieve older memories.

Question 26

Proactive Interference

Answer 26

Older memories have a proactive (forwards) effect on trying to recall newer memories.

Question 27

Cues Coding

Answer 27

Things that serve as a reminder to help recall a memory.

Question 28

Encoding Specificity Principle

Answer 28

Retrieval is helped by the same or similar cues being present at both the time of encoding and of retrieval.

Question 29

Context-Dependent Forgetting

Answer 29

Occurs with external retrieval cues - external environment is different to the time of encoding e.g. different room.

Question 30

Cue-Dependent Retrieval Failure

Answer 30

Theory of forgetting - retrieval of a memory fails because of the absence of cues. LTM is available but not accessible.

Question 31

Eye -witness testimony

Answer 31

The evidence provided in court by a person who has witnessed a crime, with a view to identify the perpetrator of the crime.

Question 32

State-dependent forgetting

Answer 32

Occurs with internal retrieval cue - the internal state of the person is different to the time of encoding e.g. drunk/sober.

Question 33

Leading Question

Answer 33

A question that, either by its form or content, suggests to the witness what answer is desired or leads him/her to the desired answer.

Question 34

Misleading Information

Answer 34

Supplying information that may lead a witness’ memory of a crime to be altered.

Question 35

Post-event discussion

Answer 35

A conversation between co-witnesses or an interviewer and a witness after a crime has taken place, which may contaminate a witness’ memory of the event.

Question 36

Anxiety

Answer 36

An unpleasant emotional emotional state often accompanied by physiological arousal.

Question 37

Physiological Arousal

Answer 37

E.g pounding heart; rapid, shallow breathing - according to the Yerkes-Dobson effect may effect memory recall.

Question 38

Cognitive Interview

Answer 38

A police technique for interviewing witnesses which encourages them to recreate the original crime scene to increase accessibility of stored information.

Question 39

Standard Police Interview

Answer 39

A police interview revolving around the interviewer rather than the interviewee.

Question 40

Enhanced Cognitive Interview

Answer 40

Fisher and Geiselman (1987) suggested this amended version of CI to help train interviewers in social/communication skills.

Question 41

Modified Cognitive Interveiw

Answer 41

Suitable for use with children - it builds trust between interviewer and witness.