Reliability of memory

Question 1

Define recall.

Answer 1

To reproduce facts stored in LTM with little to no cues for assistance.

Question 2

Outline and explain the three different types of recall.

Answer 2

Free recall. Recalling information from memory in any order with no cues for assistance.
Serial recall. Recalling information from memory in the order it was learnt with no cues for assistance.
Cued recall. Recalling information from memory with some cues for assistance.

Question 3

Define recognition.

Answer 3

A measure of retention involving identification of previously learnt information from a group of alternatives (distractors).

Question 4

Define relearning.

Answer 4

A measure of retention involving learning information already learnt and stored in LTM to show if it was retained correctly.

Question 5

Define memory reconstruction.

Answer 5

Remembering past events and features during memory recall.

Question 6

Define brain trauma.

Answer 6

Damage to the brain that can be caused by head injury, disease, seizure, stroke, etc.

Question 7

Define amnesia.

Answer 7

The loss of memory above normal process of forgetting, either partially or complete.

Question 8

Define organic amnesia.

Answer 8

Memory loss caused by brain damage. Usually only partial and selective.

Question 9

Define anterograde amnesia.

Answer 9

The inability to encode or store new memories after brain trauma occurs. Information cannot be transferred from STM to LTM. Commonly associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Question 10

Define dementia.

Answer 10

Dementia is a neurodegenerative disorder that inhibits higher mental functioning.

Question 11

Define Alzheimer’s disease.

Answer 11

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that destroys the memory and other mental functions.

Question 12

Define the encoding specificity principle.

Answer 12

The associations formed at the time of encoding the memory will be the most effective retrieval cues. Trying to retrieve information is similar conditions it was learnt under is better.

Question 13

Outline and define the two main conditions that assist in retrieval of memory.

Answer 13

Context dependant cues. The cues made up of the persons external environment when the memory was formed.
State dependant cues. The cues made up of the persons internal environment when the memory was formed.

Question 14

Define retrieval cues.

Answer 14

Any stimuli that assists in the retrieval of information from memory.

Question 15

Outline and define the different types of rehearsal.

Answer 15

Maintenance rehearsal. Involves repeating information a number of times so it can be held in STM for longer duration.
Elaborate rehearsal. Involves attaching meaning to information being remembered which can act as a retrieval cue.

Question 16

Define the serial recall effect.

Answer 16

A pattern of recognition for list items where recall is better for those at the start (primacy effect) and end (recency effect) of the list as opposed to the item in the middle.

Question 17

What is a leading question?

Answer 17

A question phrased in such a way to a witness as it suggest a desired answer to that question.

Question 18

How do leading questions effect eyewitness testimony?

Answer 18

They affect the reconstruction of the memory, allowing for a false memory to be planted in accordance with that leading questions suggestion.

Question 19

Outline the symptoms of dementia.

Answer 19

Symptoms include: memory less, poor social skills, decline in cognitive ability and abnormal emotional reactions.

Question 20

Outline the causes of dementia.

Answer 20

Causes are: brain trauma, alcohol, disease, reduced to supply of blood to the brain, etc.

Question 21

Outline the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

Answer 21

Symptoms include: mental decline, difficulty in thinking and understanding and memory loss.

Question 22

Outline the causes of Alzheimer’s disease.

Answer 22

Causes are: high levels of the protein amyloid that poison brain cells and cause amyloid plaques. Which are deposits of protein outside neurons that disrupt inter neurons communication.
Development of neurofibrillary tangles, twisted fibres outside the neuron that lead to the death of neurons.