Memory Key Terms Flashcards
Duration
A measure of how long memory lasts before it is no longer available.
Coding
The way information is changed so that it can be stored in memory. Creating a representation of an event, a memory ‘trace’.
Capacity
A measure of how much can be held in memory.
Multi-store Model of Memory.
An explanation of memory that sees information flowing through a sequence of separate stores (Atkinson and Shiffrin).
Sensory register/memory
A short duration (500 milliseconds) store holding impressions of information received by the senses.
Short-term memory
A temporary store holding small amounts (7+/-2) of information for brief periods (up to 18 seconds).
Maintenance Rehearsal (MSM)
Strategies used to help recall. It is how information passes from STM to LTM.
Retrieval (MSM)
The process by which information is recalled from LTM back to STM.
Trigram
Three nonsense letters (memorised in Peterson & Peterson experiment on duration of STM).
Attention (MSM)
The process which needs to occur to allow for memories to move from the sensory store to STM.
Working Memory Model
An explanation that sees short-term memory as an active store holding several pieces of information simultaneously (Baddeley).
Central Executive (WMM)
A filter determining which information is attended to. It monitors and coordinates all other mental functions in working memory.
Visual-Spatial Sketchpad
Component of the WMM that deals with visual information and the physical relationship of items.
Visual Cache (WMM)
Stores information about form and colour.
Inner Scribe (WMM)
Stores information about the physical relationship of items.
Phonological Loop
Component of the WMM that deals with auditory information.
Primary Acoustic Store (WWM)
Stores the words that are heard.
Articulately Process (WWM)
Allows sub-vocal repetition of information stored in the phonological loop.
Episodic Buffer (WWM)
A slave system dealing with processing and temporary storage of specific types of information.
Long-term memory
A permanent store holding limitless amount of information for long periods.
Semantic LTM
A form of LTM for meanings, understandings, and other concept-based knowledge e.g. knowing how to calculate the area of a circle.
Procedural LTM
A form of LTM for the performance of specific actions, tasks, and skills e.g. riding a bike.
Episodic LTM
A form of LTM for events occurring in an individual’s life e.g. wedding day.
Interference Theory
An explanation for forgetting in terms of one memory disrupting the ability to recall (a similar) memory.
Retroactive Interference
New memories have a retroactive (backwards) effect on trying to retrieve older memories.
Proactive Interference
Older memories have a proactive (forwards) effect on trying to recall newer memories.
Cues Coding
Things that serve as a reminder to help recall a memory.
Encoding Specificity Principle
Retrieval is helped by the same or similar cues being present at both the time of encoding and of retrieval.
Context-Dependent Forgetting
Occurs with external retrieval cues - external environment is different to the time of encoding e.g. different room.
Cue-Dependent Retrieval Failure
Theory of forgetting - retrieval of a memory fails because of the absence of cues. LTM is available but not accessible.
Eye -witness testimony
The evidence provided in court by a person who has witnessed a crime, with a view to identify the perpetrator of the crime.
State-dependent forgetting
Occurs with internal retrieval cue - the internal state of the person is different to the time of encoding e.g. drunk/sober.
Leading Question
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.
Misleading Information
Supplying information that may lead a witness’ memory of a crime to be altered.
Post-event discussion
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.
Anxiety
An unpleasant emotional emotional state often accompanied by physiological arousal.
Physiological Arousal
E.g pounding heart; rapid, shallow breathing - according to the Yerkes-Dobson effect may effect memory recall.
Cognitive Interview
A police technique for interviewing witnesses which encourages them to recreate the original crime scene to increase accessibility of stored information.
Standard Police Interview
A police interview revolving around the interviewer rather than the interviewee.
Enhanced Cognitive Interview
Fisher and Geiselman (1987) suggested this amended version of CI to help train interviewers in social/communication skills.
Modified Cognitive Interveiw
Suitable for use with children - it builds trust between interviewer and witness.
