PSY1020 Memory Flashcards

Year 1, Semester 2 - A

1
Q

What is Memory

A

Memory is the process by which we take something we have observed (encountered) and convert it into a form we can store, retreive and use

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2
Q

3 processes of memory

A
  • Encoding
  • Storage
  • Retrieval
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3
Q

What are mental representations

A

A mental model of a stimulus or category of stimuli

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4
Q

Types of Mental Representations

A
  • Sensory (eg: visual or sound)
  • Verbal (information stored in words)
  • Motoric (motor actions, eg: swinging a tennis racket)
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5
Q

The Mind as a computer model

A
  1. sensory registers (limited duration, potentially unlimited capacity)
  2. Short term memory
  3. Long term memory
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6
Q

Sensory Registers

A

Hold information about perceived stimulus for a fraction of a second after the stimulus disappears.
One sensory register for every sensory system
-Iconic storage: momentary storage of visual info
-Echoic storage: momentary storage of auditory info

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7
Q

Short Term Memory

A
limited capacity (7 chunks plus or minus 2)
limited duration (20-30 seconds)
in theory info can be kept for an infinite amount of time by repeatedly rehearsing (until interrupted) - verbalising or thinking about the info
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8
Q

Long Term Memory

A

The representation of facts, images, actions and skills that may persist over a lifetime

  • potentially limitless in duration and capacity
  • LTM deficit: person shows normal working memory but can not transfer info to LTM
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9
Q

Retrieval

A

extracting information from the Long Term Memory

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10
Q

Serial Position Curve

A

supports existence of STM vs LTM

  • Primacy effect reflects LTM
  • Recency effect reflects STM
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11
Q

Evolution of Memory Model

Mind as Brain

A
  • no longer thought of in terms or serial processing model
  • no longer thought of in terms of processing like a computer
  • now thought to be comprised of a number of modules which are discrete and interdependent (parallel processing)
  • recognised remembering is not always conscious or retroactive
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12
Q

Working Memory

A

a component of STM

  • temporary storage & processing of info used to:
    1. solve problems
    2. respond to environmental demands
    3. achieve goals
  • Deficit: person has memory span of 2 digits, but normal LTM
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13
Q

3 memory systems of Working Memory (Baddeley and Hitch, 1974)

A
  1. Central Executive - flow and processing of info, limited capacity, rehersal, reasoning, multitasking
  2. Visual Memory Store (or Visuospatial Sketchpad) temporary image, 20-30 seconds, as well as info about location and nature of object (eg: mentally rearranging furniture)
  3. Verbal Memory Store (or phonological loop) verbalising items, limited capacity (represents ALL of STM in the original model, active when using rehearsal to temporarily hold onto information)
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14
Q

Episodic buffer

A

temporary limited capacity store allows various components of working memory to integrate information
-interface between working memory and long term memory

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15
Q

Working Memory

A
  • thought to be directed by the Pre-frontal cortex

- easily accessed, but limited in capacity

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16
Q

Verbal and Visual Working Memory

A

activate different cortical regions of the brain - demonstrating the interdependence of different components of working memory

17
Q

Chunking

A

the use of knowledge from LTM to group info into larger units to increase the capacity of working memory

18
Q

LTM Storage Overview

A

2 types - Declarative (facts and events) and Procedural (for the ‘how to’ of skills and procedures

19
Q

LTM Declarative memory - 2 forms of storage

A
  • Semantic: general world knowledge or facts

- Episodic: memories of specific events which is autobiographical in nature

20
Q

LTM Expression Overview - 2 forms

A
  • Explicit Memory: expressed through conscious recollection (eg: phone numbers)
  • Implicit Memory: expressed in behaviour but does not require conscious recollection (eg: driving a car)
21
Q

LTM Explicit Memory - 2 forms

A
  • Recall: spontaneous conscious recollection of information from LTM (eg: responding to open ended question in an exam)
  • Recognition: identification of something previous seen or learned (eg: responding to multiple choice question in exam)
22
Q

Memory consolidation

A

much of the process of storing memory happens in the medial temporal lobe

23
Q

Encoding in LTM

A

storage of info requires encoding
the type and level of encoding influences accessibility:
1. Shallow: focuses on physical characteristics
2. Deep: focuses on the meaning of the stimulus

24
Q

Context and Retrieval

A

Context and Mood provide retrieval cues

25
Q

Spacing

A

superiority of memory for information rehearsed over longer periods

26
Q

Mnemonic devices

A

systematic strategies for retrieval and to enhance memory, eg:

  • Method of Loci - visual imagery tool
  • SQ4R: Survey, Question, Read, Recite and Review, Write
27
Q

How LTM is organised

A
  • organised in clusters of info related in meaning
  • semantic networks of association
  • nodes may contain thoughts, images, smells, emotions or any other info
  • mnemonic devices allow one to add concepts to existing networks
28
Q

Hierarchical storage

A

like a filing cabinet - important things at the front

29
Q

Schemas

A

organised clusters of knowledge extracted from previous events

30
Q

Daniel Schacter - 7 sins of memory

A
  1. Transience - fade with time
  2. Absent-mindedness - need to pay attention to remember
  3. Misattribution - source amnesia
  4. Suggestability - thinking we remember
  5. Bias - distortions in recall
  6. Persistence - recurring memories
  7. Forgetting - inability to remember
31
Q

Accuracy of long-term memory

A

Memory is subject to errors and biases
-memory can be primed
-memory is altered by emotional factors
Eyewitness testimony can be manipulated by leading questions

32
Q

Flashbulb memory

A
  • vivid memories of exciting or highly consequential events
  • dependent on adrenaline
  • rarely 100% accurate
  • degree of accuracy decreases and time increases
33
Q

Theories of forgetting

A

usually occurs due to deficits in encoding and retrieving

  • pseudo forgetting - encoding never occured
  • ineffective encoding - shallow (phonemic rather than semantic level)
34
Q

Decay theory - theory of forgetting

A

fading neural trace weakened with disuse

35
Q

Interference theory - theory of forgetting

A

conflict between new and old memories
-Proactive - old interferes with new
-Retroactive - new interferes with old
stronger theory than decay theory

36
Q

Motivated forgetting - theory of forgetting

A

implies forgetting can avoid painful memories

37
Q

Amnesia

A
  • Retrograde - losing memories prior to damage

- Anterograde - losing memories after damage

38
Q

Memory Summary

A
  • Memory initially conceived of as STM and LTM - now recognised as comprising of multiple types of memory
  • Rehearsal, maintenance or elaborative helps transfer info from STM to LTM stores
  • memory is a reconstructive process that mingles representations of actual experience with general knowledge