Memory (Stages of information processing)

Question 1

Encoding

Answer 1

(registration) refers to how information is placed into memory. It can be improved by organising data e.g. chunking, mnemonics.

Question 2

Storage

Answer 2

(retention) refers to keeping information in the memory. Information can be stored in short term memory, or long term memory. Short term memory capacity is usually stated as 7�2 items. The working memory and short term memory are different. The term ‘working memory’ refers to the structures and processes responsible for temporarily manipulating information. The two models of working memory are the phonological loop and the visuospatial sketchpad.

Question 3

Retrieval

Answer 3

(recollection) refers to getting the information back from memory when it’s needed. If given a list of things to remember, people tend to remember the first and last items best, this phenomenon is referred to as primacy and recency effects.

Question 4

Structures involved

Answer 4

A number of different structures have been suggested as being involved in working memory. The main one that you are expected to know is the prefrontal cortex.

The main role of the hippocampus appears to be to consolidate short-term memories to long-term storage.