remembering and forgetting Flashcards
what are the models for memory?
multi store model of memory
levels of processing theory
working memory model
what is the multi store model?
composed of a short term and long term memory
main features: -sensory register -short term memory -long term memory [swag banter yolo putin]
describe the sensory register
senses are registered
information is held in the same sense it is registered
information is held for about half a second
describe the short term memory
sensory registered information is passed onto the short term memory
short term memory remembers in 7 +/-2
memory can be extended by chunking
if information in the short term memory is reheared, it is retained and transferred to long term memory
describe the long term memory
information stored here indefinitely
huge capacity and memories are stored semantically = information is stored in an organised and meaningful way
strengths of the multi store model
highly influential leading to further theories and research
empirical evidence to support these memory stores but done with laboratory studies = low ecological validity
PRIMACY AND RECENCY EFFECT/serial positioning curve - participants learn and recall words. first and last words are remembered because the start is rehearsed and the end are still in the STM
LEVELS OF PROCESSING MODEL - words processed semantically are remembered better than words processed = agrees with multistore
CLINICAL STUDIES - amnesiacs show that STM can be damaged but the LTM remains intact suggesting they are separate stores
weaknesses of the multi store model
over simplified as it suggests we only have single stores of STM and LTM memories
working memory model suggests STM has 3 components and there are different types of LTM
rehearsal is over simplified - some material is remembered without rehearsal eg flashbulb memories
study for the multi store model
baddeley: STM and LTM are coded differently
in STM tasks that required immediate recall of learned words = more mistakes were made when information sounded similar
phonological store = STM
in LTM tasks that required later recall (20 mins) mistaks were made for words with similar meanings
semantic stores = LTM
evaluation of baddeley’s study
highly controlled lab = low ecological validity
describe the working memory model
viewed as an extension to the multistore model’s view of stm
stm is made up of four components: the central executive
phonological loop
the visual spatial scratchpad
the episodic buffer
what is the central executive
controls how we direct our attention and selects what information we should retain and ignore
connects working memory with LTM
what is the phonological store
processes sound based information by verbal rehearsal (inner voice) or hearing our own thoughts (inner ear)
the articulatory process has a limited capacity to 3/4 items
what is the visual spatial scratchpad
manipulates visual (shape and colour) and spatial information eg navigation around a room
what is the episodic buffer
binds visual, verbal and spatial information - allowing the visual spatial scratchpad, phonological loop and central executive interact
name two studies for the working memory model
Paulesa and hunt
what was Paulesa’s study?
asked participants to memorise a series of letters or to rehearse the sounds in their heads
he measured the blood flow in the brains and found different patterns in the brains of memorising and rehearsing participants
phonological store has two components
what was Hunt’s study?
participants controlled a lever between two posts and at the same time completed an intelligence test consisting of spatial patterns
as the intelligence test got harder, the control on the lever deteriorated
both tasks used the same central processor and were competing for the limited capacity available
what is wrong with hunt’s study?
lacks ecological validity as participants performed two tasks which are not normal to everyday life
also, could it be the visuo spatial scratchpad being used?
strengths of the working memory model?
flexible and comprehensive view of the stm
provides insight into learning difficulties such as inability to read - children who can’t read very well perform badly on tasks for the phonological store
what is wrong with hunt’s study?
lacks ecological validity as participants performed two tasks which are not normal to everyday life
also, could it be the visuo spatial scratchpad being used?
hunt did not have evidence for the capacity of the central executive
strengths of the working memory model?
flexible and comprehensive view of the stm
provides insight into learning difficulties such as inability to read - children who can’t read very well perform badly on tasks for the phonological store
processing visual and sound information are highlighted as one being effected and one is not - brain damaged patients
weaknesses of the working memory model?
limited as it only explains the stm
little is known about the central executive
studies and experiments on the working memory model lack ecological validity
what is the levels of processing model?
three levels of processing information
shallow/structural level - what does it look like?
intermediate/phonetic level - sound like?
deep/ semantic level - meaning?
what does this theory predict?
words processed on a semantic will be remembered better than on a phonetic level which will be remembered better than on a structural level