Module 7 Flashcards
What is memory
The ability to retain information about past personal experiences or facts about the world, and to utilize this information in the present
Information processing perspective - Encoding
“Translating” sensory impressions into meaningful perceptions that may then be stored as memory.
Getting the information into your brain.
3 types of encoding
sematic encoding, encoding of images, acoustic encoding
Information processing perspective - Storage
Meaningful perceptions are retained as memory, keeping the memory in the brain
Information processing perspective - Retrieval
Recognizing or recalling something from memory, finding the memory when you need it.
Modal Model of Memory
Traditional memory theory that views memory as consisting of three stages: sensory memory, short term memory (STM) and long term memory (LTM)
Sensory Memory
very briefly stores large amounts of fleeting sensory impressions for further processing by other memory systems. Most vanishes from awareness in a fraction of a second.
Two categories of sensory memories
iconic store - visual sensory impressions. echoic store - auditory sensory impressions
Short term memory (STM)
memory store used for attending to information in short term. STM is limited in the length a memory can remain active, only lasts 20 seconds. Is also limited in storage - no more than 4-5 chunks of info
STM - Maintenance Rehearsal
repeating items over and over to maintain them in STM. Does not effectively promote long term memory.
STM - Memory span
the number of items that can be recalled immediately after one presentation Usually letters, words, numbers, or syllables that must be reproduced in order
STM - Chunking
the process by which the mind divides large pieces of information into smaller chunks that are easier to retain.
Long term memory (LTM)
the deepest level of encoding information, theoretically limited memory that contains facts, autobiographical events, and learned skills.
LTM - Elaborative rehearsal
an encoding strategy to facilitate new memory by making connections to old ones
Two types of LTM
Explicit memory (declarative memory) and Implicit memory
Explicit memory
Conscious memories for personal experiences or facts about the world
2 types of explicit memory
Episodic memory, sematic memory
Episodic memory
memories acquired through personal experience
Sematic memory
memory for facts someone has learned
2 types of implicit memory
Procedural memory and Repetition priming
Procedural memory
implicit memory for motor skills
Repetition priming
the way that a person’s performance of certain tasks can improve without their awareness merely as a result of previous exposure to the task
Levels of Processing model
denies that there are distinct memory stages or stores. says that the more deeply an item is processed, the easier it is to be recalled
three levels of levels of processing model
Structural, Phonological and Sematic
Structural
(shallow) encode the physical qualities/appearance
Phonological
(intermediate) encode sound and auditory
sematic
(deep) encode meaning and associate with existing knowledge
Remembering
Retrieval of info from LTM. occurs through recognition or recall
2 types of remembering
Recognition and recall
recognition
occurs when you are presented with something and can tell what it is
Recall
occurs when you produce something from LTM entirely on your own
Retrieval cues
any hint or association that helps to retrieve info from LTM
3 types of retrieval cues
Context-dependent memory, state-dependent memory and flashbulb memory
Context-dependent memory
the improved recall of specific episodes or information when the context present at encoding and retrieval are the same.
State-dependent memory
the retrieval of recently obtained information may be potential if the subject exists in a similar physiological situation as for the period of the encoding stage.
Flash blub memory
a vivid enduring moment associated with something significant personally and emotionally.
sins of memory
Transience, Absentmindedness, Blocking, Misattribution, Suggestibility, Bias and Persistence
Transience
the fading of memories from LTM. “forgetting” occurs because of new memory interfering with retrieving old memories and vice versa
Absentmindedness
Lapses of attention that result in a failure to recall information. Can happen because information was not encoded properly or not at all, or was encoded properly and cant be retrieved at the moment
Blocking
A memory is encoded properly but just can’t be recalled at the moment
Misattribution
When a memory is attributed somewhere other than it’s source
Suggestibility
type of Misattribution where memory originates from suggestions from someone else.
Bias
Current attitudes, feelings, and beliefs distort memories from the past
Persistence
When an unpleasant memory intrudes upon a person’s thoughts against his will
