Short Term And Working Memory

Question 1

Short term and working memory

Answer 1

Although there is some overlap between the working memory and the short-term memory they are not the same. The difference, although subtle yet important.

The short-term memory refers to all memory stored in a temporary state that is accessible. This information is prone to some decay. An example of this might be the name of someone introduced to you at the beginning of a party that may remain accessible for a few hours but may have been forgotten by the morning.

The working memory is that being attended to in a given moment. Differences in peoples working memory reflect varying capabilities in managing incoming information. Some, for instance, will be capable of storing and repeating only a short number sequence as opposed to others who would be able to hold in mind a much longer one.
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Question 2

Memory (Stages of information processing

Answer 2

Encoding (registration) refers to how information is placed into memory. It can be improved by organising data e.g. chunking, mnemonics.

Storage (retention) refers to keeping information in the memory. Information can be stored in short term memory, or long term memory. Short term memory capacity is usually stated as 7�2 items. The working memory and short term memory are different. The term ‘working memory’ refers to the structures and processes responsible for temporarily manipulating information. The two models of working memory are the phonological loop and the visuospatial sketchpad.

Retrieval (recollection) refers to getting the information back from memory when it’s needed. If given a list of things to remember, people tend to remember the first and last items best, this phenomenon is referred to as primacy and recency effects.