Memory part 1

Question 1

What is the definition of memory?

Answer 1

Memory refers to the processes that allow us to record, store and later retrieve experiences and information

Question 2

What are the three stages of memory processing in order?

Answer 2

1. Encoding
2. Storage
3. Retrieval

Question 3

What happens during the encoding process of forming a memory?

Answer 3

Encoding: the initial process of storing new information in the [memory] system by translating it into neural code that your brain processes.

Question 4

What are the three stages of processing according to the Information Processing
Model (Atkinson & Shiffrin, 1968)?

Answer 4

1. Sensory memory
2. Working memory
3. Long-term memory

Question 5

Briefly explain what sensory memory is according to the Information Processing
Model (Atkinson & Shiffrin, 1968).

Answer 5

Raw perception by senses that fades quickly if not processed

Question 6

How long does it take for sensory memory to occur?

Answer 6

Less than a second

Question 7

What is chunking?

Answer 7

Combining individual items into larger units of meaning is called

Question 8

What is working memory?

Answer 8

A limited-capacity system that temporarily stores and processes information

Question 9

What are the three components of the working memory system?

Answer 9

1. Visuospatial sketchpad
2. Episodic buffer
3. Phonological loop
4. Central executive

Question 10

How does the episodic buffer work in the working memory system?

Answer 10

The episodic buffer is a temporary storage for retrieved long-term memories to be used in processing information

Question 11

What is the phonological loop and visuospatial sketchpad in working memory?

Answer 11

Phonological loop: a component of working memory that briefly stores mental representations of sounds

Visuospatial sketchpad: a component of working memory that briefly stores visual and spatial information

Question 12

What does the central executive do in working memory?

Answer 12

It is the component of working memory that controls the actions of the other subsystems:
- It allocations attention to the subsystems
- Integrates information within the episodic buffer

Question 13

What are the two subparts of the phonological loop?

Answer 13

Phonological storage: the explicit memory of what you heard

Articulatory loop: repeating things you’ve heard

Question 14

What is Miller’s magical number?

Answer 14

7 ± 2

Question 15

How long does working memory take?

Answer 15

≈ 18 seconds

Question 16

Briefly describe the long-term memory stage of the Information Processing Model (Atkinson & Shiffrin, 1968)?

Answer 16

Long-term memory: a vast library of more durable stored memories

Question 17

What is the capacity for stored information in the long-term memory?

Answer 17

There is a potentially unlimited capacity for long-term memories

Question 18

How is long-term memory and working memory connected?

Answer 18

Long-term memories are accessed via the working memory through the central executive

Question 19

What are the two reasons encoding is an imperfect process?

Answer 19

1. We encode different things from the same sensory information
2. We cannot notice/encode all sensory information

Question 20

What is an example of encoding being unable to process all sensory information?

Answer 20

Selective attention: being unable to process all information available

Question 21

What are the two types of long-term memories in the storage phase of memory processing?

Answer 21

Declarative (explicit): conscious recall

Nondeclarative (implicit): unconscious recall

Question 22

What are the two types of declarative long-term memory?

Answer 22

1. Semantic memory: facts - general knowledge
2. Episodic memory: personally experienced events

Question 23

What are the two types of non-declarative long-term memory?

Answer 23

1. Skills - motor and cognitive
2. Classical conditioning effects

Question 24

Briefly explain the theory behind Ebbinghaus’ Forgetting Curve?

Answer 24

Forgetting occurs rapidly at first and then slows

Question 25

What are the two reasons we forget information?

Answer 25

Decay
and
Interference (retroactive interference and proactive interference)

Question 26

Briefly describe why decay and interference causes memory to be lost?

Answer 26

Decay : information gradually disappears from memory

Interference: memory can be impaired by other information

Question 27

Briefly describe Retroactive Interference and Proactive Interference.

Answer 27

Retroactive Interference: learning new information makes it harder to retrieve old information

Proactive Interference: old memories affect the retrieval of new memories

Question 28

What is retrieval?

Answer 28

When information from long-term memory is brought to the conscious awareness

Question 29

What are two retrieval cues for information processing? Briefly describe each.

Answer 29

1. Reminders of information we could not otherwise recall (e.g., guides to where to look for information)
2. Context effects - memory works better in the context of original learning

Question 30

What are two context effects that can act as memory retrieval cues?

Answer 30

1. Physical environment
2. Internal environment

Question 31

What are the two context effects of a person’s internal environment? Briefly describe each.

Answer 31

1. Mood congruent memory - the tendency to recall experiences that are consistent with one’s current mood
2. State dependent memory - what is learned in one state can more easily be remembered when in same state

Question 32

Briefly describe why physical environment acts as a contextual retrieval cue?

Answer 32

Information encoded by a person in a particular physical context will be better retrieved when they return to that environment