module 2: memory

Question 1

memory (sensory)

Answer 1

Sensory memory is really a brief persistence of neural activity after the stimulus is gone.

1. relatively high capacity
2. very short duration (<1 sec vision, < 3 sec sound)
3. memories are stored in the area of the cortex (brain), and then gets analyzed.
   process of attention is very important here

Question 2

Short Term Memory

Answer 2

1. the place of thought, of consciousness
2. Information from sensory memory or long-term memory is temporarily held and processed.
3. duration (18-20)
4. limited capacity and a short duration
5. crucial role in tasks like problem-solving, decision making, and comprehension.

Question 3

Long Term Memory

Answer 3

• repetition rehearsal will help keep information in the STM but it will not be very effective at moving the info into the long term.
• permanent storage capacity and can be categorized into different types:

episodic memory (for personal experiences)
semantic memory (for general knowledge)
procedural memory (for skills and habits).

Question 4

Attention

Answer 4

process to move input to short-term/working memory

Question 5

Encoding/Recoding

Answer 5

• Move some contents of working memory to LTM

salient information = effortful processing, giving the information you study the same process as other meaningful information.

Question 6

Rehearsal

Answer 6

Rehearsal is often used as a strategy to remember information, especially in short-term memory, where the duration is limited.

Question 7

Retrieval

Answer 7

involves searching for and recalling specific memories or information when needed, such as during a test or a conversation. Retrieval can be influenced by various factors, including the cues and context present during encoding.

Question 8

Forgetting

Answer 8

Forgetting is a natural part of the memory process, and it can be influenced by factors like the strength of the memory trace and the effectiveness of encoding and retrieval strategies.

Question 9

Compare the capacity and duration of sensory memory, short term/working memory, and long term memory.

Question 10

Define these memory terms: iconic and echoic stores,

Answer 10

Iconic storage is associated with visual information. It briefly holds visual sensory information, such as images, for a very short duration, It allows us to retain a snapshot of what we have seen before this information either decays or is transferred to short-term memory for further processing.

Echoic storage is related to auditory information. It holds auditory sensory information, such as sounds and spoken words, for a brief period, typically lasting a few seconds. Echoic memory allows us to retain and process auditory input, like remembering the last few words someone said during a conversation.

Question 11

What is the digit span test

Answer 11

The digit-span test is a cognitive assessment that measures an individual’s short-term memory or working memory capacity. In this test, a series of digits (numbers) are presented to the participant, who is then asked to repeat them in the same order (forward digit span) or in reverse order (backward digit span). The test helps assess a person’s ability to hold and manipulate information in their short-term memory. It is often used in psychology and neuropsychology to evaluate working memory capacity and cognitive function.

Question 12

define chunking

Answer 12

Chunking is a memory strategy that involves grouping or organizing information into meaningful and manageable units, or “chunks.” By breaking down a large amount of information into smaller, more meaningful subsets, it becomes easier to remember and work with

Question 13

Difference between maintenance rehearsal and elaborative rehearsal?

Answer 13

maintenance rehearsal is a basic repetition strategy for short-term memory, while elaborative rehearsal involves a more in-depth, meaningful processing of information to facilitate its transfer to long-term memory. Elaborative rehearsal is typically a more effective strategy for retaining information in the long term.

• Maintenance rehearsal involves repeating information (out loud or in your head).
• Elaborative rehearsal is more elaborate and involves additional memory aids like mnemonic devices

Examples: in maintenance rehearsal, you might repeatedly say the word to yourself without trying to understand its meaning or relate it to other words. This might help you remember the word for a short while.
In elaborative rehearsal, you would explore the word’s definition, use it in a sentence, and link it to words you already know. This deeper engagement with the word’s meaning makes it more likely to be stored in long-term memory.

Question 14

How does saliency contribute to getting information into long term memory?

Answer 14

using past memories to filter new incoming stimuli, and placing those that are most important into long term memory.

Question 15

Describe the factors known to affect the retrieval of information out of memory (be sure to consider both cues
and context and state dependent cues)

Question 16

Summarize the three research examples on current areas of memory (infantile amnesia, flashbulb memories, highly superior autobiographical memory’ (HSAM))

Question 17

Illusion-of-truth effect

Question 18

Describe strategies that can improve your memory (distinctiveness, maximize cue effectiveness, mnemonics)

Answer 18

Distinctiveness:

Make information stand out: Emphasize the unique aspects of the information you want to remember. Distinctiveness can help create memory cues that are easier to retrieve later.
Use sensory cues: Engage multiple senses when learning, as sensory-rich experiences tend to be more memorable. For example, associate a distinct smell or taste with the information.