memory models Flashcards
what is memory?
cognitive process used to encode, store, and retrieve information.
how is information encoded?
it is perceived and converted into brain signals
how is information stored?
encoded information is retained in the brain’s memory stores
how is information retrieved?
stored information is remembered and used.
what is the multi-store memory model?
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
strengths in the MSMM
- testable
- supported by evidence (case studies + experiments)
- allows us to understand STM and LTM as different stores
limitations in the MSMM
- simplistic view of the stores
- too focused on stores, not processes
- rehearsal is a flawed explanation for memory transfer
what is the sensory memory store?
- it perceives and holds information from the senses
- large capacity
- lats between 0.5-3 seconds
- when paid attention to, goes into STM
what is the short-term memory store?
- it stores memory to be used immediately
- its information is stored in chunks 5-9 capacity
- when rehearsed it goes to the LTM
- its average duration is 18- 30 s
STUDY ON STM
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
what is the long term memory store?
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
STUDY ON MEMORY STORES
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
what is the working memory model?
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
strengths of the WMM
- testable
- supported by evidence
- allows the understanding of multi tasking
limitations of the WMM
- only explains STM
- does not account for effects or practice time
- experiments lack ecological validity
- disabled people may challenge this model
what is the central executive component?
it controls attention, direction focus on different tasks
what are the phonological and articulatory loops?
phono: stores auditory info 1-2 s - inner ear
articulatory: used when repeating info to yourself or transforming stimuñi to sound - inner voice
what is the visuospatial sketchpad?
visualization of mental images - inner eye
what is the episodic buffer?
it integrates information from the other components and links it to the long-term memory structures
how is the WMM evaluated?
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
STUDY ON THE WWM
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.
