PSY1020 - Chap 7 Memory Flashcards
Memory: Standard model
Short term memory
20-30 sec
Long term memory
Must be stored in STM before LTM
Memory: Sensory Representations
Information is stored as sensory information.
Sound, feeling, smell, taste, sight
Memeory: Verbal Representations
Information is stored as words.
Memeory: Short Term Memory
Hold a small amount of information in consciousness for approx 20 - 30 seconds (unles the person makes a deliberate effort to retain the information by repeating over & over).
Has a limited capacity (5-9 items)
Information Processing: an evolving model
- Primary & Secondary Memory
- Sensory Register - STM - LTM
3a. No longer seen as a serial event. LTM is engage before STM to figure out what information is important.
b. Modules - discrete and inderpendant processing units responsible for different kinds of remembering. These modules operate in parallel.
c. Working Memory & Long Term Memory
Sensory Register
Holds information in short term memory for approx half a second afte the information is no longer visible
Sensory Register - Iconic Storage
Momentary memory for visual information.
Suprisingly accurate and holds more information that what people are able to report before it fades.
Sensory Register - Echoic Storage
Momentary memory for auditory information.
STM:
Maintenance Rehearsal
Elaborative Rehearsal
MR: mental repitition
ER: Activley thinking about the information while repeating it. Creating associations and making an effort to understand it. More useful for long-term memory.
Long Term Memory: Retrieval
Involves bringing information back into short term memory.
Serial Position Effect
The tendancy to remember information towards the beginning and end of a list.
Working Memory
The temporary storage and processing of information that can be used to solve problems, respond to environmental demands or achieve goals.
Consists of Temporary Storage and Mental Control. As well as three memory systems - verbal, Visual & Executive Control.
Neurolpsychology of working Memory
- Orchestrated by the prefrontal cortex
Chunking
a memory technique that uses knowledge stored inLTM to group information in larger units than single words or digits.
eg- acronyms
Varieties of LTM:
Overview
At least 3 differnent types - Habits, general knowledge & memory for specific episodes.
LTM: Declarative Memory
Facts or events. (Can be stated or declared)
- Samantic/Generic Memeroy (meaning in words), and
Episodic Memory (memory of events)
LTM: Procedural Memory
Knowledge of procedures or skills.
Explicit Memory
- Conscious recollection and retrieval of info.
Types: Recall or recognition
Implicit memory
Memory that is expressed in bahaviour but does not require conscious recollection (tying a shoelace)
Encoding
casting information into a representational form which can be stored and later retrieved.
Processing: Levels
Shallow: Structural - focusing on the physical characteristics of the stimulus.
Deeper: Phenomic - focusing on the simple characteristics of the language used to describe it.
Deepest: Samantic - focusing on the meaning of the stimulus.
Encoding Specificity Principle
Ease of retrieveal depends on the way that information is encoded and later retrived.
Retrieval Cues
Stimuli or thoughts that can be used to facilitate recollection.
Spacing Effect
Spacing study over longer periods of time increases the quantity of information that will be held in LTM.
Modes used for Encoding
Storing a memory in multiple reprsentational modes increases the ease at which that information can be retrieved.
Mnemonic Devices
Method of Loci
SQ4R Method
Sytematic deviced used to remember information.
Loci: encoding info in relation to a familiar location. Creating detailed mental images of the information to be remembered related to the familiar locations already in your memory.
SQ4R: Scan, Question, Read, Recite, Review, Write.
Networks of Association
Ideas that are mentally connected to one another by repeatedly occuring together.
Nodes: each piece of information within a Network of Association.
Spreading Activation Theory
Activating one node in a network triggers the activation of closely related nodes.
Heirarchial Organisation of Information
Vs
Schemas
HOI: Information is stored like a “filing cabinet”, information is stored by broad category and becomes more detailed as you move deeper.
Schemas: Mental representions of previous experiences that are used in conjuction with general knowledge to make sense of a sitiation.
Schemas can lead to an inaccurate memory of events.
Cross-Cultural Memory
Across and within cultures, people tend to remember inforation that is important to them.
shared cultural models also shape the way the people remember. (re-telling of a story)
Seven Sins of Memory
- transience
- absent-mindedness
- misattribution
- suggestibility
- bias
- persistence
- forgetting
How long is LTM?
Is the information still there or is it gone?
Are they unavailable or inaccessable?
How accurate is LTM?
LTM can be inaccurate due to:
priming, emotional states, schemas
Emotional Arousal and Memory
Emtional Arousal leads to flashbulb memories and a better memory of the arousing event.
Eyewitness testimony
Is affected by the way that questions are structured and the witness’ schemas.
Witnesses do vary in their susceptability to misremembering.
Why do people forget:
Decay Theory
Interference Theory
Motivated Forgetting
Decay Theory: fading memory trace.
Interference Theory: The intereference on similar memories on each other.
Motivated Forgetting: requires active inhibition of the forgotten information which remains available but not accessible.
InterferenceTheory:
Proactive Interference
Retroactive Interferance
Proactive Interference: Old information interfer with the retrieval of new information.
Retroactive Interference: New information interferes with the retrieval of old information.
Disordered Memories
Anterograde Amnesia
Retrograde Amnesia
Anterograde Amnesia: can not form new memories.
Retrograde Amnesia: can not remember a certain period from the past.
