UNIT 3 - KA3 Flashcards
What does memory involve
Memory involves encoding, storage and retrieval of information
What do memories include
Memories include past experiences, knowledge and thoughts
What are the three stages to memory
1- sensory memory
2- short term memory
3- long term memory
Which inputs does the sensory memory retain
Sensory memory retains all the visual and auditory (seeing and hearing) input received for a few seconds
How much of the visual and auditory input from level 1 (sensory memory) is encoded into stm
Only selected images and sounds are encoded into the short term memory
What is the process of encoding
Encoding is when the information is converted into a form that the Brain can process and store
Where does encoding transfer information to
Encoding = transferring information into the memory (STM or LTM)
What does the STM memory have
The short term memory has a limited capacity and holds information for a short time
What is the limited capacity of the short term memory called
A limited capacity - called the memory span
What is the memory span
The memory span is the number of items of information the short term memory can hold which is around 7+/-2 items
What is the explanation of items being lost by displacement
Lost by displacement due to new items entering the STM
How accurate is the retrieval of items during the short time the stm holds it
The short term memory holds information for a short time. During this time, retrieval of items is very accurate
The short term memory has (Point 2)
The short term memory holds information for a short period of time. During this time retrieval of items is very accurate. Thereafter items are either transferred (to LTM) or lost by displacement (due to new items entering stm) or decay (lost)
Where does all information entering the Brain pass through
All information entering the brain passes through the sensory memory and enters short term memory (STM) information is then transferred to long term memory or is discarded
How can memory span be extended
Memory span can be extended by rehearsal ams chunking
How are items maintained by rehearsal
Rehearsal involves repeating what you have learned (either silently or out loud) over and over again
What does rehearsal extend
Rehearsal extends the length of time information is held in STM, and aids the transfer from STM to LTM
What is the effect of chunking
Chinking maximises the amount of information that can be held in each item in STM
What do we still have room for if we use chunking
Using chunking you still have room for more pieces of information in your stm as you have no exceeded your memory span limit
What does the serial position effect show
The serial position effect shows that items are remembered at the start and end of a sequence
What is the primacy effect
Items at the beginning of the series have been rehearsed and transferred from STM to LTM
What happens to items in the middle of a sequence
Items in the middle have been forgotten due to displacement or decay from stm
What is the recency effect
Items at the end are still in STM and are able to be written down quickly before they are forgotten
What is long term memory
The LTM has an unlimited capacity and holds information for a long time
