The psychobiological process of memory Chapter 5 Flashcards
memory
the process of encoding, storing and retrieving information that has been previously encountered
sensory memory
-a store of memory which very briefly stores raw information detected by the senses
-exact replica of what is in your environment
-e.g. faces of your classmates directly after looking at them
Steps in Atkinson-Shiffrin model of memory
- all sensory info enters sensory memory. if this info is attended to, then it is converted into a useable form and transferred into short-term memory
- info transferred into short term memory. Via rehearsal there is an increased likelihood that the info will be encoded into long term memory
3.info stored in long-term memory can be retrieved
short-term memory
-a store of memory that temporarily stores a limited amount of info that is consciously being attended to
-sensory memory u have paid attention to will move here
rehearsal
a controlled process which involves consciously repeating or manipulating info in short term memory
encoding
the process of converting info into a useable form which can be manipulated and stored in the brain
long-term memory
a store of memory in which a potentially unlimited amount of info is stored for a relatively permanent amount of time
-brain can store an unlimited amount of info
-not in conscious awareness
-sometimes we are unable to retrieve and access info in the LTM
Storage
the retention of information over time
retrieval
the process of accessing information that has been stored in long term memory, and bringing it into our conscious awareness in short-term memory
what is the store capacity and duration of sensory memory
-unlimited
-a brief 0.2-4 seconds
subtypes of sensory memory
-iconic memory (visual info)
-echoic memory (auditory info)
-haptic memory (specific to physical touch)
how many items can be stored in ur STM
5-9 items
duration of STM
18-30 seconds
displaced
if info in the STM is not encoded in LTM it can be pushed out by new info
decay
info in the STM fading away on it own
Strengths of Atkinson-Shiffrin model of memory
–distinguishes between the diff. stores involved in memory
-outlines capacity and durations
-structure and process of memory
-amnesia
limitations of Atkinson-Shiffrin model of memory
-oversimplified
-STM is more complex
-ignores factors: motivations/ strategies
-transferring info into LTM can happen without rehearsal
-doesn’t account for individual differences
Subdivisions of long term memory
explicit and implicit memory
explicit memory subdivision
semantic and episodic memory
implicit memory subdivisions
procedural and classical conditioned memory
explicit memory
declarative memory
consciously retrieved
implicit memory
non declarative
unconsciously retrieved
semantic memory
General knowledge and facts
dogs bark, cats meow
episodic memory
personal experiences or events
what you had for dinner
Procedural memory
Knowing how to carry out tasks that are facilitated by motor skills
Classical conditioned memory
involuntary responses such as fear to a stimulus which has repeatedly been associated with an emotional arousing stimulus
Hippocampus
-involved in encoding explicit memories
-middle of brain
-damage difficulty forming new explicit memories
Amygdala
encoding emotional components of memories
Neocortex
-stores explicit memories
-part of cerebral cortex
-episodic and semantic memories converted into usable form in the hippocampus and stored in neocortex
Basal ganglia
encodes and stores procedural and classically conditioned memories that are associated with unconscious habits
cerebellum
stores and encodes implicit procedural memories
involved in processes of motor control, coordination, balance
Possible imagined futures
Hypothetical experiences and situations that an individual has the ability yo create and conceptualise in their mind
How is semantic memory involved in generating possible imagined futures?
individuals must be able to envision possible scenarios that are consistent and fit in with what they already know about the world.
How is episodic memory involved in generating possible imagined futures?
individuals to construct a possible imagined future that is subjective and includes more richly detailed elements, such as the people involved or emotional reactions
Alzheimer’s Disease
A neurodegenerative disease that involves the progressive loss of neurons in the brain and is characterised by memory decline
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease
-Decrease in cognitive functions
-Personality change
-Changes in mood and emotions
-confusion
-difficulty with communication
How does Alzheimer’s disease affect episodic and semantic memory?
-Damage done to hippocampus results in individuals incapable of recalling semantic and episodic memories
-they also can’t imagine future scenarios
-brain shrinks due to loss of brain matter
Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s
Post mortem examinations. assessments of a dead body that occurs to determine the cause of death
lesions
area of tissue that has been damaged due to disease or injury (examined via neuroimaging)
Biological/ primary lesions
amyloid plaques
neurofibrillary tangles
amyloid plaques
fragments of the protein beta-amyloid that accumulate into insoluble plaques that inhibit communication between neurons
neurofibrillary tangles
abnormal accumulations of a protein called tau that collects inside neurons
aphantasia
a phenomenon in which individuals lack the capacity to generate mental imagery
mental imagery
the visual representation and experiences of sensory information without the presence of sensory stimuli
whats the cause of aphantasia?
no known cause
mnemonics
devices or techniques used to aid the encoding, storage, and retrieval of information
Written traditions
practices in which knowledge, stories and customs are preserved and shared primarily through writing and reading
Acronyms
-First letter of items form pronounceable word to aid memory.
-1st letter of word acts as a retrieval cue to help bring the targeted info into short term memory for use
-aid storing and encoding to link info to words/sounds
Acrostics
a mnemonic device in which the 1st letter of items create a phrase or rhyme to aid memory
Method of loci
a mnemonic
device that converts
items into mental images
and associates them
with specific locations to
aid memory
Method of loci steps
- visualise and imagine a familiar route or place (e.g. their house or walk to school).
- select several memorable places (landmarks) on the route or in their chosen place
(e.g. their bedroom or a bus stop). - create visual imagery for each item that needs to be remembered (e.g. a milk carton).
Creating bizarre or funny mental imagery can help strengthen the likelihood of the item
being remembered - link each item to one of the identified memorable landmarks.
- imagine they are walking through the house or along the familiar route and retrieve each
item by observing the items at each landmark.
Oral traditions
practices
in which knowledge,
stories, and customs are
preserved and shared
through spoken word and
movement
sung narratives
stories
that share important
cultural, ecological, and
survival information
through the use of singing,
harmony, and rhythm
song lines
multimodal
performances conducted
as a family or community
travels through Country
and spaces in the
landscape that record
journeys, link important
sites, and describe ways
to live, care for, and
nurture Country
how does song lines aid memory
Songlines use rhythm and narrative to communicate necessary cultural information linked to different stories placed in the landscape, which can enhance the encoding of this information. When Songlines are sung and individuals walk through the landscape, individuals are able to retrieve the information that is linked to the different stories and places.
