Processes of memory

Question 1

Put the different processes of memory in order

Retrieval Storage Encoding

Answer 1

Encoding

Storage

Retrieval

Question 2

What is meant by the term ‘encoding’?

Answer 2

Taking the information from the environment/ surroundings into memory and changing it into a form that it can be stored in the brain/memory system.

Question 3

What is meant by the term ‘storage’?

Answer 3

Keeping/holding the memory/ information in your brain/ memory system for a period of time e.g., 30 seconds, 2 days, a year or possibly even a lifetime.

Question 4

What is meant by the term retrieval?

Answer 4

Getting the memory/ information from storage

Question 5

Name the three main types of encoding that you have to know

Answer 5

Visual
Semantic
Acoustic

Question 6

What is meant by the term ‘semantic encoding’?

Answer 6

Memories are encoded based on their meaning e.g., we understand the meaning of the word ‘memory’ and can use it in a sentence.

Question 7

What is meant by the term ‘visual encoding’?

Answer 7

Memories that are encoded visually e.g., what your house looks like/ the number of windows it has

Question 8

What is meant by the term ‘acoustic encoding’?

Answer 8

Memories are encoded and stored in terms of what they sound like e.g., your favourite song.

Question 9

What does the term ‘capacity of a memory store’ referring to?

Answer 9

The amount of memory that can be stored in a memory store.

Question 10

What does the term ‘duration of a memory store’ referring to?

Answer 10

How long the information/memory stays in the memory store before being forgotten.

Question 11

Name the three different types of long term memory

Answer 11

Semantic
procedural
episodic

Question 12

State at least 3 things you know about episodic memory

Answer 12

Episodic memory is your memory of events (episodes) from your life. It’s your memory for things you have done and experiences you have had.

For example: your first day at school, a visit to the dentist, your birthday party

Episodic memories are time stamped. This means that you can often remember the time and place of such episodes/events. You might also remember who else was there and how you were feeling.

Brain parts: episodic memory is associated with the hippocampus and temporal lobe

Question 13

State at least 3 things you know about semantic memory

Answer 13

Procedural memory includes the memory of performed tasks or skills (remembering how to do things).

For example, riding a bike, driving, swimming, reading, writing, etc.

Procedural memories difficult to explain in words.

Procedural memories are often acquired/ developed through repetition and practice.

Many procedural memories are formed early in life, for example, walking, swimming, etc

Procedural memory doesn’t require conscious recall, for example when driving a car, we can change gears without having to think/recall how.

Brain parts: procedural memory is associated with the cerebellum and motor cortex.

Question 14

State at least 3 things you know about procedural memory

Answer 14

Semantic memory includes memory for knowledge, facts, concepts and meaning.

For example, knowing that London is the capital of England, is an example of semantic memory.

Semantic memories are generally stronger in comparison to episodic.

Sematic memories are not ‘time stamped’. This means that you do not usually remember the first time you learned about Justin Bieber.

Brain parts: semantic memories are associated with the hippocampus and temporal lobe.