WEEK 3 Flashcards
Define ‘sensory register’
The split-second representation of a perceived stimulus
Define encoding
the process of putting information into a form that the memory system can accept and use
e.g. Trying exotic foods in foreign lands can create lasting memories
Define auditory (‘acoustic’) memory
Mental representations of information as a sequence of sounds
Define visual memory
The mental representation of information as images
Define storage
the process of maintaining information in the memory system over time
Define retrieval
The process of recalling information stored in memory
Episodic memory…
Memory of an event that happened while one was present
Semantic memory…
contains generalised knowledge of the world that does not involve memory of a specific event
For example: the memorizing of general concepts, such as capital cities of countries
Procedural memory…
a type of memory containing information on how to do things- often consists of a sequence of movements impossible to put into words
e.g. remembering how to ride a bike
Explicit memory..
making an intentional effort to remember something
E.g. exam practice
Implicit memory…
the unintentional recollection and influence of prior memories
e.g. rereading a page faster than the first time
Levels-of-processing model of memory…
suggests that memory depends on the degree of depth to which we mentally process information
Maintenance rehearsal…
involves repeating information over and over to keep the memory active
Elaborative rehearsal..
involves thinking about how new information relates to existing stored memory
e.g. meeting someone named Sandy, then associating their name with a beach to remember their name
Transfer-appropriate model of memory..
suggests that a critical determinant of memory depends on how well the retrieval process matches the original encoding process
Neural network models of memory…
models in which new experiences are seen as changing one’s overall knowledge bases
E.g. Parallel distributed processing (PDP) model
Parallel distributed processing (PDP) model…
a model of object recognition, in which various elements of the object are thought to be analysed simultaneously by several widely distributed but connected neural units in the brain
For example, seeing the word ‘donut’ allows you to immediately access knowledge on what a donut looks and tastes like, and where they are sold.
Multiple memory systems model…
suggests the existence of specialised and separate memory systems within the brain
Information-processing model…
information is seen as passing through three stages of mental processing- sensory memory, short-term memory and long-term memory- to become firmly ingrained in memory
Name 5 types of memory models
Information-processing- 3 Stages: sensory, short-term and long-term
Multiple memory systems- Several independent memory systems in separate parts of the brain, all with different functions
Levels-of-processing- deeper the material is processed, the better the memory
Transfer-appropriate- retrieval improved when information is recalled in a way that matches the encoding
Parallel distributing process (PDP)- new experiences add to our knowledge base
Anterograde amnesia…
a loss of memory for events that occur after a brain injury
Retrograde amnesia…
a loss of memory for events prior to a brain injury
Sensory memory…
type of memory that holds large amounts of incoming information very briefly, but long enough to connect one impression to the nex
Sensory registers…
memory systems that hold incoming information long enough for it to be processed further
Iconic memory…
the sensory register for visual information
Selective attention…
the focusing of mental resources on only part of a stimulus field
e.g focussing solely on the conversation at a party, despite the loud music and other concurrent conversations
Short-term memory…
a stage of memory in which information usually lasts for around 18 seconds
Working memory…
the part of the memory system that allows us to mentally work with, or manipulate, information being held in short-term memory
e.g. repeating someone’s name after first hearing it, in order to remember it
Immediate memory span…
the maximum number of items
a person can recall perfectly after one presentation of the items
For most people, 7, give or take 2
Chunking…
organising individual stimuli so that they will be perceived as larger units of meaningful information
‘The boy in the red shirt kicked his mother in the shin’- 12 words, 43 letters, but still easy to remember
Brown-Peterson Distractor Technique
A method for determining how long unrehearsed information remains in short-term memory
The Brown-Peterson technique is like a game to test your memory. Imagine you have a special word or number you want to remember, but it’s kind of tricky because you need to keep it in your mind for a short time.
First, someone tells you the special word or number, like “bunny” or “7.” Then, they ask you to count out loud, like “1, 2, 3,” to keep your mind busy. After counting for a little while, they ask you to remember the special word or number.
Here’s the tricky part: while you were counting, they try to distract you with other stuff, like talking about animals or colors. They might say, “What’s your favorite animal?” or “What color is the sky?”
When they ask you to remember the special word or number, it can be tough because all those other questions try to push it out of your mind. The game helps scientists understand how our memory works and how well we can remember things when we’re distracted.
Long-term memory
a relatively long-lasting stage of memory whose capacity to store new information is believed to be unlimited
Primacy effect…
a characteristic of memory in which recall of the first two or three items in a list is particularly good
Recency effect…
a characteristic of memory in which recall of the last few items in a list is particularly good
Encoding specificity principle…
a principle stating that the ability of a cue to aid retrieval depends on the degree to which it taps into information that was encoded at the time of the original learning
Context-specific memory…
Memory that can be helped or hindered by similarities or differences between the context in which information is learnt and the context in which it is recalled
State-dependent memory…
memory that is aided or impeded by a person’s internal state
Spreading activation…
a principle that explains how information is retrieved in semantic network theories of memory
If a person is presented with the concept “dog,” nodes for concepts like “bark,” “beagle” and “pet” might be activated, priming him or her to think about these related words. Depending on which concept relating to “dog” is presented next, the person is able to recall any information that might be relevant to the task at hand. One such task might be to evaluate the accuracy of semantic statements. The person could, for instance, more quickly verify the statement “A beagle is a dog” if he or she already knows that the topic at hand is “dog.”
Relearning method…
a way of measuring forgetting by comparing the number of repetitions needed to learn and, after a delay, relearn the same material
-Ebbinghaus
Decay theory…
a description of forgetting as the gradual disappearance of information from memory
Interference…
the process through which either the storage or the retrieval of information is impaired by the presence of other information
Retroactive inhibition…
a cause of forgetting in which new information placed in memory interferes with the ability to recall information already in memory
Proactive inhibition…
a cause of forgetting in which information already in long-term memory interferes with the ability to remember new information
Old- Yes
New- No
Schemas…
Mental representations of categories of objects, events and people
Mnemonic strategies…
Methods for placing information in an organised context in order to remember it
Baddeley and Hitch (1974) suggested that working memory is comprised of three major systems::
Central executive: controls the flow and processing of information.
Visual memory store: a temporary image that stores information about the location and nature of objects.
Verbal memory store: involves storage of verbal items.