MEMORY: Key Terms

Question 1

Capacity

Answer 1

A measure of how much can be held in memory

Question 2

Coding

Answer 2

The way information is changed so that it can be stored in memory

Question 3

Duration

Answer 3

A measure of how long memory lasts before it isn’t available

Question 4

LTM

Answer 4

Memory for events that have happened in the past.

Can last anywhere between 2 mins and 100 years, unlimited duration and capacity and is coded semantically

Question 5

STM

Answer 5

Memory for immediate events

Lasts for less than 18s and disappears unless rehearsed, capacity for 4 chunks and coded acoustically

Question 6

Multi-store model

Answer 6

An explanation of memory based on 3 separate memory stores and how information is transferred between them

Question 7

Sensory register

Answer 7

Part of MSM where information is collected by senses and retained for about half a second, large capacity

Question 8

Central executive

Answer 8

Part of WMM
Directs attention to particular tasks and sends information to 3 other slave systems
Very limited capacity

Question 9

Episodic buffer

Answer 9

Part of WMM
Integrates information from other 3 stores and send it to the LTM
Extra storage system with limited capacity

Question 10

Phonological loop

Answer 10

Part of WMM
Deals with auditory information
1)phonological store - holds the words you hear (inner ear)
2) articulatory processes - words that are heard or seen are silently repeated
Limited capacity

Question 11

Visuo-spatial sketchpad

Answer 11

Part of WMM
Codes visual information
Divided into 1)visual cache - stores info about visual items 2)inner store - stores arrangement of objects in visual cache

Question 12

Working memory model (WMM)

Answer 12

An explanation of the memory used when working on a task

Question 13

Episodic memory (LTM)

Answer 13

Personal experiences and specific details of event

Question 14

Semantic memory (LTM)

Answer 14

Knowledge of the world that is shared by everyone

Question 15

Procedural memory (LTM)

Answer 15

Skills that are acquired through repetition and practise

Question 16

Interference

Answer 16

An explanation for forgetting where one memory disrupts th ability to recall another (similar memories)

Question 17

Proactive interference

Answer 17

Past learning interferes with current attempts to learn something

Question 18

Retroactive interference

Answer 18

Current attempts to learn something interfere with past learning

Question 19

Cues

Answer 19

Serve as a reminder by meaningfully linking to material that needs to be remembered e.g. Environmental cues or state cues

Question 20

Retrieval failure

Answer 20

Occurs due to the absence of cues

Question 21

Eyewitness testimony (EWT)

Answer 21

The evidence provided by someone who witnessed a crime

Question 22

Leading question

Answer 22

A question that suggests to the witness what the desired answer is or leads them to say the desired answer

Question 23

Misleading information

Answer 23

Supplying information that may lead to a witnesses memory of the crime being altered

Question 24

Post-event discussion

Answer 24

A conversation between Co-witnesses or an interviewer and eyewitness after the crime which could contaminate a witness’ memory of the event

Question 25

Anxiety

Answer 25

Unpleasant emotional state which is accompanied by increased heart rate and rapid breathing

Question 26

Cognitive interview

Answer 26

A police technique used for interviewing witnesses to a crime

1) Mental reinstatement of original context
2) Report everything
3) Change order
4) Change perspective