Process of memory Flashcards
Memory
the processing, storage and retrieval of information acquired through learning
Sensory memory
Entry point of memory where new incoming sensory information is stored for a brief period (raw form) Potentially unlimited capacity and short duration
Iconic sensory memory
The brief sensory memory for incoming visual information 0.3 secs
Echoic sensory memory
The brief sensory memory for incoming auditory information (3-4 seconds)
Short term memory
memory system with a capacity 7+/-2 bits of information and a duration of 18-20 seconds but up to 30 (unrehearsed) memory starts to decline at 12 second
Increase STM capacity and lost by
Chunking: The grouping of seperate bits of information into one or larger bits
Decay: Not being used in the 18-20 seconds
Displacement: Being pushed out by new information
Maintenance rehearsal
Repeating new info over and over again to keep info in the short term memory for as long as possible
Elaborative rehearsal
Linking new info to memory already stored in long term memory
Long term memory
Goes to LTM when it is encoded, potentially unlimited capacity and possible permanent duration
Explicit memory (declarative)
That can be consciously retrieved and stated where there is a conscious , deliberate attempt to retrieve previously stored information
eg. general knowledge or personal experiences
Implicit (non declarative)
LTM that does not require conscious or intentional retrieval, memory that is without awareness
Episodic (explicit)
LTM of personally experienced event, memories where the self is the initiator or the recipient and can be time stamped
Semantic (explicit)
LTM of facts and knowledge about the world eg. rules of spelling, meaning of words, everyday facts and are not normally tagged with a time or place
Procedural memory (implicit)
LTM for all skills involved in particular tasks where there is no deliberate attempt to recall. Usually involve motor movements eg. brushing teeth, tying shoelaces
Classically conditioned memories (implicit)
Conditioned responses to conditioned stimuli acquired through classical conditioning, particularly involving emotions such as fear or simple reflex
Hippocampus
Crucial role in the formation and encoding of new semantic and episodic memories by helping ensure they are neurologically stable and long lasting.
- Consolidation is the neurobiological process of making a newly formed memory stable and enduring following a learning experience.
- Interacts with the amygdala
Amygdala
Has a role in processing and regulating emotional reactions, particularly fear and anger.
- Involved in the formation and consolidation of a wide range of other emotional memories
- Interacts with the hippocampus in the processing and retrieval of explicit memories - the hippocampus processes the event and the amygdala, the emotional feeling attached to the event.
- When an event has emotional significance, noradernaline is believed to stimulate the amygdala to attach more emotional significance significance to the experience and signal the hippocampus to encode and ensure the long term storage of emotional details
Neocortex
Crucial role in the interaction with the hippocampus in the formation, consolidation, storage and retrieval of long term explicit long term memories
- Semantic memories tend to be stored most likely in the frontal and temporal lobe.
- Episodic memories tend to be stored in the right frontal and temporal lobe
Basil Ganglia
Role in long term implicit memories involving motor skill
- Involved in encoding and storing procedural memories and classically conditioned memories that are associated with unconscious habits, behaviours or procedures.
- whilst the amygdala is involved in encoding the emotional component of classically conditioned memories, the basil ganglia is involved in the encoding and storing responses that are learnt through classically conditioning
Cerebellum
Involved in the encoding and temporary storage of implicit procedural memories
- crucial for motor learning and the balance and coordination of voluntary movements, but not their long term storage
- forms and stores implicit memories of simple reflexes acquired through classical conditioning eg fine muscles movements and posture
Autobiographical events
Stored in long term memory and are retrieved every time you think or speak about them
Retrieval
process of accessing information that has been stored in LTM and bringing it into our conscious awareness in STM
- Hippocampus primarily involved in the retrieval of episodic memories and that the frontal and temporal lobes are involved in the retrieval of semantic memories
- retrieval of auto biological events involves the activation of both the hippocampus and frontal and temporal lobe
