W5: Memory Flashcards
what does encode mean?
Represent information in some form (sound, visual image, meaning) in the memory system
what are the two forms in which our brain stores information?
- The stage model of memory
- the levels of processing model of memory
what does the sensory register do?
- Keeps an exact replica of a sensory experience -A snapshot, echo
- Holds information very briefly 15 milliseconds
what does the attention do?
• Attention transfer to short-term memory
what does the short term memory do (STM)?
- Keeps information that is selected for further processing • Holds information briefly
- Holds 5-9 bits of information
• Serves as our working memory
-Keeps information + thinking about/processing the information
What are the two strategies used to expand the limited capacity of the STM?
-Rehearsal: Mental repetition of information
oTransform incoming information into acoustic codes
-Chunking: Grouping/organizing information into meaningful categories
-Chunk: a unit of memory
what does the long term memory (LTM) do?
• Keeps information for longer periods of time • Has unlimited capacity
what are 4 types of long term memory?
Procedural memory
Declarative memory
Episodic memory
Semantic memory
what does the procedural memory entail?
- Memory for motor movements and skills
- Accessed through performance §i.e. Riding a bicycle
what does declarative memory mean and which 2 categories fall under it?
-Memory for material that can be put into word
-Episodic memory
Semantic memory
what are episodic and semantic memory?
EP
- Memory for specific experiences
- Reference to time and place
- e.g., Can you tell me the first day that you come to Istanbul?
SE
- Memory for meaning
- No reference to time and place
- Stronger than episodic memory
- e.g., Can you tell me the capital city of Turkey? E.g., Do you remember how you learnt it?
how does organisation in the LTM happen?
An associative network- memories are linked through experience
what are the two types of processing used in the memory register?
Superficial processing
Deep processing
what is the difference between superficial and deep processing and which stage do the belong?
Superficial processing= Perceptual information-STM
Deep processing= Meaning
-Elaboration: Creating associations between new and existing memories= LTM
-i.e. Linking a new concept with your personal experiences
what are the 4 theories of forgetting?
-decay theory, reconstruction theory, interference theory and motivated forgetting
what does the decay theory say?
- Time causes memory traces to fade
* Has explanatory power for the sensory register and STM, but not LTM
what is the interference theory?
• Other memories interfere with the storage and retrieval of information
- Similarity increases interference, particularly in episodic memories
- Applies to LTM and STM
what are the two types of interference in the interference theory?
- Proactive interference: Created by memories from prior learning
- Retroactive interference: Created by memories from later learning
what is the reconstruction theory?
Information is not forgotten, but distorted during retrieval
- Schema: Associated networks consisting of beliefs, knowledge and expectations
- More distortion in episodic than in semantic memory
what is motivated forgetting and which concept?
-Forgetting what is threatening or upsetting
-Freud and the concept of repression
-Pushing unpleasant or dangerous information into the unconscious
But moderate emotional arousal enhance memory
what are the two types of Amnesia
- Retrograde amnesia
* Anterograde amnesia
what is retrograde amnesia?
An inability to retrieve old long-term memories
- Usually not for the entire lifetime
- Extends back in time for a period of minutes or days
- Caused by seizures, brain damage, concussion
what is anterograde amnesia?
An inability to store or retrieve new information in long-term memory
-No knowledge of current events
-Usually affects the formation of long-term episodic memories, not
procedural memories
-Caused by surgery, damage to hippocampus, excessive alcohol consumption
