Packet Four: Short Term and Working Memory Flashcards
what is memory?
our mental store of information
-from past experiences
-influences our present thoughts and behaviors
what is the modal model of memory?
the “typical model”
-states that memories can be encoded into long term memory through rehearsal and churning, and that short term memory is passive
steps of the modal memory model
- we receive a sensory input
- sensory store/memory
- short term memory
- long term memory
(mmom)what is the sensory store?
a short term temporary recording of all current sensory information
what is the function of short term memory in the modal model?
to be a passive storage system, on,y containing some sensory information
in the modal model of memory, where can information be lost?
- information can be lost in stage 2, the sensory store, if it is not transferred to the short term memory
- information can also be lost in stage 3, the short term memory, if not transferred to long term memory
(mmom)how do you get information into the sensory store?
just being awake and alert
(mmom)how do you get information from the sensory store to short term memory?
by paying attention to that thing, or thinking about it
-anything you don’t give attention to is lost
(mmom) how do you get information from short term memory into long term?
rehearsal and chunking
(mmom) what is chunking?
breaking something down into meaningful units
(mmom) how long is information stored in the sensory store?
1-2 seconds
(mmom) how long is information stored in the short term memory?
15-30 seconds
(mmom) how long is information stored in the long term memory?
no set window of time
(mmom) how much information is able to be stored in the sensory store?
everything we are aware of
(mmom) how much information is able to be stored in the short term memory?
5 to 9 items
-7 plus or minus 2
-average of 7 items
(mmom) how much information is able to be stored in the long term memory?
an unlimited amount of items
what is a downside to the mmom concept of a short term memory?
short term memory is passive and not useable (holding zone)
-we do use short term information
-doesnt properly explain the actual process
what is the theory that covers what the modal model of memory misses?
baddeley’s model of working memory
what is the central executive in baddeley’s model of working memory?
the coordinator of the subsystems
-the ability to focus on a task or goal when difficult
-sends the information to the correct place
what are the three subsystems in baddeley’s model of working memory?
- phonological loop
- visiospacial sketchpad
- episodic buffer
(bmowm) what does the phonological loop process?
spoken and written language
(bmowm) what does the visiospacial sketchpad process?
spacial information
(bmowm) what does the episodic buffer process?
both language information and spacial information
-ex: reading a map
(bmowm) where does information go after being processed by a subsystem?
if encoded, long term memory
what is the function of the phonological loop?
to store and manipulate speech based material
what is the evidence for the phonological loop?
- articulary control
- subvocalization
- word length effect
what is articulary control?
the ability to keep speech in your mind
-subvocalization
what is subvocalization?
the little voice in your head that appears when you read or are processing speech
-speed reading does now allow for subvocalization
-little kids can’t subvocalize, which is why they often think out loud
what is the word length effect?
words that take longer to say on your head are harder to memorize
-faster to subvocalize = better memory
what does speed reading have to do with subvocalization?
speed reading often does not involve subvocalization, as and a result we have less comprehension of things we sped read and process it much less as well
what area of the brain is associated with the phonological loop?
supramarginal gyrus
what is the function of the visiospacial sketchpad?
to store and manipulate spacial information
what is it called when we measure memory
span task
what are two things that could negatively impact our working memory?
- a stereotype threat: working in a biased environment, in which you are worried about falling into a stereotype
- major depressive disorder
