Storage

Question 1

Storage

Answer 1

It’s important to know both…
1. How we store information, and
2. Where we store it.

Question 2

Storage: Retaining Information

Answer 2

At the heart of memory is storage. Three stores of memory are shown

below:

event –> sensory memory –>encoding –> working memory
………………………..

Question 3

Long-Term Memory

Answer 3

Unlimited capacity store. Estimates on capacity
range from 1000 billion to 1,000,000 billion bits of
information (Landauer, 1986).
▧ The story of Rajan Mahadevan…recited the first
31, 811 digits of pi (the ratio between
the diameter and circumference of a circle) which
begins 3.14159 & continues on indefinitely

Question 4

Memory Trace

Answer 4

Much research has been done looking for the physical
existence of a memory.

It’s been the search for the engram (physical memory trace in
the brain or biological basis of long-term memory) that’s
taken 2 approaches…

synapses and neural circuitry

Question 5

Synapses

Answer 5

Looks on the level of synapses and
biochemical changes that are
believed to represent the physical
memory trace in nerve cells

Question 6

Neural Circuitry

Answer 6

Looking for neural circuitry used by
memory in the brain

Question 7

Synaptic Changes

Answer 7

LTM forming at the synapse as fragile
chemical traces that gradually consolidate
into more permanent synaptic changes
over time
▧ we leave chemical “bread crumbs” in
the synapse…more we use, stronger
the memory “trail”
▧ This explains why a blow to the head
or an electric shock to the brain can
cause loss of recent memories that
have not yet consolidated.

Question 8

Long-term Potentiation

Answer 8

= a persistent strengthening of synapses based on recent
patterns of activity. These are patterns of synaptic activity that
produce a long-lasting increase in signal transmission

between two neurons.

The more you use a memory, the stronger it will be due to long

term potentiation.

Question 9

Neural Circuitry

Answer 9

Research began by
looking at individuals who
had parts of the brain
removed in “botched”
operations

H.M. had surgery for epileptic
seizures… his hippocampus and
amygdala on both sides of the
brain were removed
○ Since the surgery in 1953,
H.M. has been unable to
create new memories of the
events in his life, although his
memories for events prior to
the operation remains normal

Question 10

Prefrontal Cortex

Answer 10

Memory involving the sequence of events,
but not the events themselves.

Question 11

amygdala

Answer 11

encodes emotional aspects of memories

strengthens memories that have strong
emotional associations
○ These emotional connections act as an aid for access
and retrieval
○ The amygdala is probably what is responsible for the
persistent and troubling memories associated with PTSD

Question 12

Medial Temporal Lobe

Answer 12

(not visible) Encodes and
transfers new explicit
memories to long-term
memory.

Question 13

Hippocampus

Answer 13

Encodes and transfers
new explicit memories
to long-term memory.

aids in the initial encoding of info

Question 14

Cerebellum

Answer 14

Memories involving
movement.

Question 15

Cerebral cortex

Answer 15

memories are changed into relatively
permanent memories

Question 16

Where are memories stored?

Answer 16

Memories do not exist in ONE place in the brain, but reside
all over the brain

Question 17

Stress Hormones and Memory

Answer 17

Heightened emotions (stress related or otherwise) make for stronger memories…”stress” seems to boost activity in the brain’s memory-forming areas.
▧ Continued, lengthy stress can disrupt memory.

Question 18

Implicit
Memory

Answer 18

Memories that you are
not consciously aware
of…yet these
memories can affect
your behavior.

Question 19

Procedural Memory

Answer 19

Most implicit memories are procedural memories. For instance, brushing your teeth. Do you remember learning to brush your teeth? Probably not, but let’s all hope the event impacted

your behavior this morning ☺

Procedural Memory… Memory for skills and habits…most procedural memories are implicit, as you don’t have to think about “how to” after you have learned the info

Question 20

Explicit
Memory

Answer 20

Intentional or
conscious recollection
of information…you are
deliberately trying to
remember something

Question 21

Explicit Memories Examples - Eye witness

Answer 21

What happened in the
incident, what were they
wearing, what did they look
like, etc.

Question 22

Explicit Memories Examples - Test

Answer 22

Remembering information
you’ve learned and studied
when it’s time to take the test.

Question 23

Declarative Memory

Answer 23

Memory for factual information like names, faces, dates, etc…usually are explicit memories and require conscious mental effort
Example… recalling directions for driving (sans GPS) to a specific location, or that cool scene in the movie you’re now telling your

friends about.

2 Types of Declarative Memories - semantic, and episodic

Question 24

Semantic

Answer 24

Memory for language, facts,
general knowledge and
concepts… the “I know that…”
facts (much of what you learn
in school)

Question 25

Episodic

Answer 25

Memory for the biographical
details of our individual lives…
the “I remember when…”
memories
○ Stores temporal coding
(time tags) to identify WHEN
and context coding to
indicate WHERE