memory models

Question 1

what is memory?

Answer 1

cognitive process used to encode, store, and retrieve information.

Question 2

how is information encoded?

Answer 2

it is perceived and converted into brain signals

Question 3

how is information stored?

Answer 3

encoded information is retained in the brain’s memory stores

Question 4

how is information retrieved?

Answer 4

stored information is remembered and used.

Question 5

what is the multi-store memory model?

Answer 5

it is a theory proposed by Atkinson & Shiffrin in 1968, it proposes three stores: sensory, ST, and LT
1. they differ in duration and capacity
2. info is transferred through attention, rehearsal, and retrieval

Question 6

strengths in the MSMM

Answer 6

1. testable
2. supported by evidence (case studies + experiments)
3. allows us to understand STM and LTM as different stores

Question 7

limitations in the MSMM

Answer 7

1. simplistic view of the stores
2. too focused on stores, not processes
3. rehearsal is a flawed explanation for memory transfer

Question 8

what is the sensory memory store?

Answer 8

1. it perceives and holds information from the senses
2. large capacity
3. lats between 0.5-3 seconds
4. when paid attention to, goes into STM

Question 9

what is the short-term memory store?

Answer 9

1. it stores memory to be used immediately
2. its information is stored in chunks 5-9 capacity
3. when rehearsed it goes to the LTM
4. its average duration is 18- 30 s

Question 10

STUDY ON STM

Answer 10

Peterson & Peterson 1959
aim: to test the duration of the STM store
- participants remember trigrams
- 6, 12, or 18 s (counting backward in 3s)
- no rehearsal, no LTM memory
- after 18s info is no longer remembered

Question 11

what is the long term memory store?

Answer 11

stores stable, enduring memories: it has unlimited capacity and duration
it has three categories
1. episodic: memory of events
2. procedural: how to do things
3. semantic: general knowledge

Question 12

STUDY ON MEMORY STORES

Answer 12

Milner & Scoville 1957
aim: to investigate how memory stores work in patient HM
Case study HM (observations, tests, interviews)
- hippocampus removed epilepsy
- IQ + personality intact
- STM, memory pre-op, procedural memory
- no LTM, incapable of forming new memories
- hippocampus = transferring and consolidating memory

Question 13

what is the working memory model?

Answer 13

it is a theory proposed by Baddeley & Hitch in 1974
it states that we hold and manipulate information from the STMS to carry out tasks, it has 4 components
1. central executive: attention
2. phonological loop: sounds
3. visuospatial sketchpad: images
4. episodic buffer: temporarily holds information until use
multitasking is possible if different stores

Question 14

strengths of the WMM

Answer 14

1. testable
2. supported by evidence
3. allows the understanding of multi tasking

Question 15

limitations of the WMM

Answer 15

1. only explains STM
2. does not account for effects or practice time
3. experiments lack ecological validity
4. disabled people may challenge this model

Question 16

what is the central executive component?

Answer 16

it controls attention, direction focus on different tasks

Question 17

what are the phonological and articulatory loops?

Answer 17

phono: stores auditory info 1-2 s - inner ear

articulatory: used when repeating info to yourself or transforming stimuñi to sound - inner voice

Question 18

what is the visuospatial sketchpad?

Answer 18

visualization of mental images - inner eye

Question 19

what is the episodic buffer?

Answer 19

it integrates information from the other components and links it to the long-term memory structures

Question 20

how is the WMM evaluated?

Answer 20

If tasks are from different components they can be done together (multitasking) ex. drawing + music

if they are from the same, you can’t ex. music + podcast

Question 21

STUDY ON THE WWM

Answer 21

Landry and Bartling 2011
aim: to investigate if articulatory suppression affects memory
- 10-letter strings
- repeat 1 or 2
- cg 75% accuracy vs eg: 45% accuracy
- when the inner voice is blocked, visual inputs can not be transformed into sound, making rehearsal impossible.