process of memory Flashcards
define memory
- the processing, storage and retrieval of info acquired through learning
- consists of a collection of interconnected & interacting systems
what are the 3 processes of memory?
- encoding
- storage
- retrieval
what is encoding
converting info into a usable form so it can be neurologically represented in the brain and stored in memory
what is storage
saving encoded info overtime
what is retrieval
locating & recovering previously stored info into conscious awareness
what does the atkinson shiffrin multi-store model of memory propose?
memory consisted of 3 different components:
- sensory memory
- short-term memory
- long-term memory
what are the structural features of memory?
permanent, fixed features that do not change
- function
- capacity
- duration
what are the control processes of memory?
under conscious control of individual and is selected and used depending on situation
- attention
- rehearsal
- retrieval strategy
what is needed for info to be encoded into STM?
Attention
- awareness is needed
- transferred into conscious awareness
- lost from SM if not attended to
how is info encoded into LTM? how can STM duration be increased?
rehearsal: continual repetition of info to aid storage in STM & transfer to LTM
- chunking: divide into smaller bits of info
what happens if we don’t retrieve info over time?
- access to some info may be lost or become inaccessible
what is sensory memory and its function?
- entry point where raw sensory info is registered
what is the capacity of sensory memory?
- unlimited capacity
what is the duration of sensory memory?
brief -> 0.2-4 seconds
how is the duration of sensory memory helpful?
- long enough for us to filter what is important to be transferred to STM
- long enough for each sensory impression to slightly overlap the next= perceive world as continuous rather than disjointed
what are the two types of sensory memory and their function?
iconic memory: stores visual images
echoic memory: stores sound stimuli
what is the duration of iconic memory and how is it helpful?
0.3 seconds
- stores long enough for images to overlap
- allows perception of flowing movement
what is the duration of echoic memory and how is it helpful?
- 3-4 seconds
- each sound slightly overlaps
- allows comprehension of speech by connecting individual sounds into coherent words and sentences
why is stm also called working memory?
- emphasises active processing & use of info
- info from sensory memory is processed
- info retrieved from LTM to be manipulated
what is the function of STM?
- temporarily hold info
- info actively ‘worked on’ and used in conscious cognitive activity
what is the duration of STM?
12-18 seconds
- can last up to 30s
what is the capacity of STM?
limited capacity of 7+/-2 bits of info
what are 2 ways info can be lost from stm?
decay: not being used through rehearsal eg. distractions
displacement: being pushed out by new info
what is the function of LTM?
- relatively permanent storage of info to be retrieved in the future
what is the capacity of LTM?
potentially unlimited
what is the duration of LTM?
potentially life-long
what are the 2 typse of LTMs?
declarative memory: can ‘state’ (knowing that)
non-declarative memory: hard to ‘state’ (knowing how)
what are the 2 types of declarative memories? examples?
- episodic memory: favourite holiday, first day at school
- semantic memory: where you live, knowing ur timetables
what is episodic memory?
personally experienced events
- includes time, place, psych & physio states @ the time of event
what is semantic memory?
facts & knowledge about the world
- don’t have details of time & place where you learnt them
what are the two types of non-declarative memories + examples?
procedural memory: riding a bike, using chopsticks
cc responses: fear from hearing drill @ dentist, feeling sick seeing corn
what is procedural memory?
memory of motor skills & actions
- performed without conscious awareness
what are the 2 ways info from LTM can be retrieved and expressed?
- explicit memory
- implicit memory
what is explicit memory
- memory that requires conscious or intentional retrieval
what is implicit memory?
- memory that does not require conscious or intentional retrieval
- unaware you are remembering it -> effortless
- existence is inferred through actions
what is the role of the cerebral cortex in LTM storage & formation?
- stores explicit memories
- storage of info tends to be in areas where it was first processed
eg. episodic memory of rock concert, semantic memory of location and day of the concert
what is the role of the hippocampus in LTM?
- consolidates declarative aspects of memory (who, where, what) from STM to LTM so they are long-lasting and stable
- transfers info to cerebral cortex for storage
what is the role of the amygdala in LTM storage & formation?
- processsing emotional aspects of episodic memories
- encodes cc emotional responses
what is the role of the cerebellum in LTM formation & storage and type of memory?
- encoding & temporary storage of implicit procedural memories
- forms and stores simple cc reflexes
consolidation theory in terms of memory
- transfer of info from STM to LTM requires a period of time for permanent storage to occur
- biological/neuronal changes occur when we keep thinking about the event (scenario)
- if consolidation of memory was not disrupted by (scenario)= likely memory passed into LTM
