Memory pt.1 Flashcards
What is a memory?
an individual’s entire store of information including information in consciousness and the processes that encode and retrieve information
Why is memory not like a computer?
- distortions and misinformation
- perceptions ≠ memory
- forgetting is not all or none
- depends on how well you can retrieve info
What is the Atkinson-Shiffrin Model of Memory?
model that represents how memories and information is encoded
What is a sensory memory?
fleeting memories of “to be remembered info”
1. first stage of forming explicit memories through all senses
- sensory info stored in raw form and may be forgotten is not attended to
- kept for a brief (0.5 - 2 seconds)
What are the different categories for sensory registers?
- ionic memory - visual; less than 1 second
- echoic memory - auditory, lasts 3-5 seconds
- haptic memory - touch; lasts 10 seconds
What is short-term/ working memory?
processing of information that gets encoded through rehearsal
1. encoded through maintenance and elaborative rehearsal
- give attention to things = remember and think (5-15 seconds)
- only encode things that are attended to
- unrehearsed info lost
2. hold actively in the brain on a moment to moment basis (20 sec)
What is the purpose of short term/ working memory?
maintain information through rehearsal until kept in long term memory
What is Miller’s magic number and chunking?
miller’s magic number: the max number of items recalled without error = 7 +/- 2
- item = chunk of info
chunking: grouping of apparently random items into smaller # of meaningful segments = easier to remember
- cowan’s number = true short term memory capacity = 4 chunks with rehearsal and LTM
What is long term memory?
information is moved here for retrieval later on
1. unlimited capacity
2. relatively permanent storehouse
- can’t get fill = elaborately rewired and interconnected
3. info not lost but can become inaccessible
What is encoding?
representation of info in memory
What is storage?
keeping/maintaining information in memory
What is retrieval?
extracting info from memory for use at a later time
What is forgetting?
when info is no longer accessible
What is the dual-track memory system?
Brain operates on a two track system:
1. conscious/effortful processing = explicit/declarative memories
- conscious facts and experiences encoded through conscious, effirtful processing
2. automatic processing = implicit/ non-declarative memories
- automatic processes that do not use the coscious encoding track
- bypasses working memory and gets stored from sensory to LTM
- includes info about space, time, + frequency; procedures; conditioned associations
How can effortful processing occur?
- rehearsal
- maintenance = repeating info to refresh into short term without making connections
-elaborative = developing connections between rehearsed and prior info
-> more connections = easier retrieval - mneumonics
- produce organization by using a well-known structure/ sequence to remember a less well-known structure/sequence
- mental imagery
downside = attentional resources - spacing effect
- more effective encoding if information is spread over time
- massed practice = speedy short term learning + feelings of confidence
- distributed practice = better LTM recall - testing effect
- retrieval practice/ test enhanced effect
- improves learning and memory
- protects memory from harmful effects of stress
