U3 KA3 - Memory Flashcards
What is memory?
Memory is the capacity of the brain to store information, retain it and then retrieve it when required.
What are the 3 stages of sensory memory
- Encoding
- Storage
- Retrieval
Describe the Encoding stage of sensory memory
Sensory image must be converted into a form that the brain can process and store.
Describe the Storage stage of sensory memory
Retaining the information over a period of time (30sec-lifetime)
Describe the Retrieval stage of sensory memory
Recovery of the stored material from either the short-term or long-term memory.
What are the 3 levels of Memory?
- Sensory Memory
- Short term memory
- Long term memory
How long does sensory memory retain auditory and visual input?
A few seconds
Where are sensory memories passes to?
STM
Why are pieces of information often discarded
Because they haven’t been transferred to Long term memory
What id the capacity of STM
7 bits of information
How long is information retained in the STM
30 seconds
What happens if there is no rehearsal of information in the STM
it is displaced
What does rehearsal of STM do?
Extends the time the info is in the STM
What is Rehearsal?
Repeating a bit of info over and over again
What are the 4 methods of improving STM of a piece of information?
- Rehearsal
- Organisation
- Chunking
- Serial positioning effect
Describe the organisation of STM
This is the process of sorting info into relevant categories.
Describe the chunking of STM
Dividing information into smaller groups
E.g. phone numbers are broken into smaller sections of 3 numbers to help remember numbers better
Describe the Serial Positioning Effect
When trying to remember items in a list, recall is often better for the items shown at the start or end of the list
Why is the Serial Positioning Effect true?
Items at the start of the list have had enough time to be rehearsed and transferred to the LTM
Items at the end are remembered as they are still in the STM
How much information can long term memory hold?
Unlimited
State the 3 processes by which information can be transferred from STM to LTM
- Rehearsal
- Organisation
- Elaboration
Retrieval of organised info in the LTM can be made easier using…
Contextual Cues
What are Contextual Cues
Relevant bit of information that remind you of the memory and make it more powerful e.g. date or time of memory
Describe the process of Elaboration in memory
The process of elaboration adds detail and meaning to details.
If the information becomes more personalised or interesting it is more likely to be successfully stored in the LTM.
