Task 1 - Working Memory

Question 1

Stages in the Atkinson-Shiffrin Model

Answer 1

1. Transient Memory
   - sensory memory
   - working memory / STM
2. LTM
   - Permanent Memory

Question 2

Properties of Sensory Memory

Answer 2

• short-lasting

- captures raw, perceived stimuli

Question 3

Properties of STM

Answer 3

• Memory can be retained through active rehearsal
• ~7 items
• rapid and effortless access
• Limited by what we can pay attention to
• fleeting if not retained

Question 4

Definition of Working Memory

Answer 4

• Active maintenance and manipulation of STM

- > Using STM to temporarily store task-relevant information and manipulating it in a goal-directed manner.

Question 5

3 Components of Baddeley’s Model of Working Memory

Answer 5

1. Central Executive
2. Phonological Loop
3. Visuospatial Sketchpad

Question 6

Explain the term “Dual Task” in relation to Baddeley’s Model.

Answer 6

It means that the two buffers (Phon. Loop & Vis. Sketchpad) are separate.
-> Maintaining information in either one of them won’t influence memory retention in the other. If trying to retain to different items in one buffer however, efficiency is impaired.

Question 7

What is a “Multi Store Model”?

Answer 7

Models of memory, that imply two or more physical locations of memory based on what stage the information is in.
-> Baddeley’s model is a “multi-store model”

Question 8

What is a “Unitary-Store Model” of memory?

Answer 8

These models refer to the existence of only one place for memory, which is called “state-based”

• > Means that memories are in one place, but have different states.
• > Nelson Cowan

Question 9

Name four major processes of STM control and a corresponding task.

Answer 9

• Controlled updating
• > N-back task
• Goal-setting and planning
• > Tower of Hanoi / London
• Task switching
• > Wisconsin card sorting test
• Stimulus attention and response inhibition
• > Stroop Task

Question 10

When you fail to adapt to a spontaneously changing ruleset, what is this phenomenon called?

Answer 10

Perseveration

Question 11

What is a modern way of looking at the state-based vs location-based dilemma?

Answer 11

That many cortical areas can be used in working memory by actively manipulating/retrieving information in support of a goal-directed action.

Question 12

Where is the central executive located in the brain (according to Baddeley)?

Answer 12

Dorsolateral PFC

Question 13

What’s the location of the Visuospatial Sketchpad?

Answer 13

Right Ventrolateral PFC

Question 14

What is located in the Left Ventrolateral PFC?

Answer 14

The Phonological Loop

Question 15

How is the phonological loop divided physiologically?

Answer 15

• Anterior left ventrolateral PFC: Semantic Information

- Posterior left ventrolateral PFC: Phonological Information

Question 16

What is located in the posterior cortical visual areas?

Answer 16

Object and location information

Question 17

What’s the general function of the Ventrolateral PFC when it comes to memory?

Answer 17

Active rehearsal and maintenance - Encoding and retrieval

Question 18

Higher-order executive control functions like Monitoring and Manipulation are controlled by the…

Answer 18

Dorsolateral PFC

Question 19

What task do schizophrenic patients have problems with?

Answer 19

remembering multiple items -> Dorsolateral PFC

Question 20

Cause of the symptoms of ADHD

Answer 20

• Deficits in the use of working memory
• Smaller PFC
• receiving noisy input from the Basal Ganglia
• > Problems filtering out the importance of certain actions / objects

Question 21

What did the delayed response task show?

Answer 21

That neurons in the PFC and the nucleus medialis dorsalis in the Thalamus are active, when STM memory functions are active

Question 22

What are the effects of (severe) depression on memory?

Answer 22

• impairs the functioning of the phonological loop and central executive
• negative cognitions are not suppressed and presently relevant information is difficult to keep track off.

Question 23

What are some aspects when it comes to ADHD?

Answer 23

• Tasks that require Working Memory are impaired

- Reduction in size of right ventrolateral (visuospatial sketchpad) and Dorsal prefrontal cortex (central executive)

Question 24

What are some clinical aspects when it comes to Schizophrenia?

Answer 24

• Deficiencies of the Central Executive

- No deficiencies on the Ventrolateral PFC