Memory Systems and Processes Flashcards
What are the 3 processes of memory?
Encoding - Converting info into a form usable in memory
Storage - Retaining information in memory
Retrieval - Bringing to mind information stored in memory
What is Encoding?
The set of processes involved in transforming external events & internal thoughts into both temporary & long lasting memories
What is an Engram?
Physical memory trace in brain
What is the diagram of encoding long-term memories
Perception of Stimuli
Encoding
Engram
Long Term Potentiation
Storage
What is long term potentiation?
Gradual strengthening of the connections among neuron’s from repetitive stimulation
Sematic
Meaning
Phonemic
Sounds like
Structural
Letters/Physical
What is Sensory Memory?
Very brief memory of a sensory experience
(large capacity, short duration)
Working Memory
Capacity
Chunk
Duration
What are the two types long-term memory?
Explicit
Implicit
What are the two types of Explicit memory?
Semantic
Episodic
What are the four types of Implicit memory?
Procedural
Priming
Conditioning
Habituation
Explicit
Knowing WHAT
Memory for facts,events & beliefs about the world
Can recall intentionally
(declarative memory)
Semantic
Explicit
-Knowledge of facts about the world
Episodic
Explicit
- Recollection of events and experiences in our lives
Implicit
Knowing HOW
Experimental or functional form of memory
Do not deliberately remember
Cannot be consciously recalled or reflected on
Procedural
Implicit
- How to do things
- Motor Skills, habits
Priming
Implicit
- Identify stimulus easier after prior exposure
Conditioning + Habituiation
Implicit
- Forms of unconscious learning
Anatomical Change
Memory trace may reflect alterations in neurotransmitter release at specific sites
Straitum
Habit Formation
Amygdala
Memories about emotions
Hippocampus
Semantic memory
Consolidation of memories
Cerebellum
Procedural memory
Retrieval
Bringing to mind info stored in memory
What are three ways to access memories?
Recall
Recognition
Reconstruction
Factors affecting LTM performance
-Stress/arousal
-Serial position of information
-The context
-Failure to encode
Stress/Arousal
Level of attention/arousal related to memory performance
NOT LINEAR
- Affects ability to encode
Flashbulb memories
Strong, Vivid and detailed memories of dramatic events
Emotional arousal triggers adrenalin release > enchanced memory
Serial Position
Relates to position of information when given lots of info at once
Primacy Effect - First items recalled better
Recency Effect - Last items recalled better
Clinical Context - Important infor first, repeat last
Context
External & Internal context state can affect retrieval
ENVIRONMENT + STATE
- Encoding specificity - context embedded with info
Failure to Encode
Failing to effectively put material into LTM
- Too much stress
- Not enough attention
- Lack of rehearsal
Three types of Forgetting
Decay (Transience)
Interference
Motivated Forgetting
Decay Theory
Memory fades over time
Points to impermanence of memory storage
Relates to how frequently recalled/rehearsed
Interference
Confusion or entanglement of similar memories
Greatest when competing info most similar
Motivated Forgetting
Forget what you don’t want to think about (Repression)
Usually due to trauma
Iconic
Echoic
Haptic
Eyes
Ears
Hands
