Week 3: Memory And Cognition

Question 1

Name the 3 types of memory

Answer 1

1. Sensory Memory
2. Short-term Memory
3. Long-term Memory

Question 2

Sensory Memory

Answer 2

Sensory memory is the shortest type of memory.

• When information is brought in and retained by the senses, this is what is known as sensory memory.
• Sensors are directly linked to our CNS which is made of our spinal cord and brain.

Question 3

Another term for Visual Sensory Memory

Answer 3

Iconic Memory

Question 4

Another term for Auditory Sensory Memory

Answer 4

Echoic Memory

Question 5

Define Short-term memory

Answer 5

This type of memory can hold information for 20 seconds.

• Rehearsing can help keep information in short term for longer: I.e. Repeating student number to yourself.

Question 6

List three key aspects of Short Term Memory

Answer 6

1. Limited Capacity: Inly 7 items can be stored at a time.
2. Limited Duration; Storage is very fragile and info can be lost with distraction or passage of time.
3. Coding: Translating visual information into sounds.

Question 7

List three ways you can forget information in Short Term Memory

Answer 7

1. Decay: When you don’t rehearse or contemplate information.
2. Displacement: A form of forgetting , where new memories replace old ones.
3. Interference: When your trying to memorise stuff that’s similar.

Question 8

Name two forms of interference

Answer 8

1. Proactive Interference: Old memories interfere with new ones.
2. Retroactive Interference: When new information distorts old memories.

Question 9

Define Long-term Memory

Answer 9

Memory that is held for days or decades.

Includes two types:

1. Declarative or Explicit Memory: Includes all the memories available in the consciousness.
2. Procedural or implicit memory: Memory of body movement and how to use objects in the environment: I.e. How to ride a bike.

Question 10

Define Episodic Memory

Answer 10

Memory that remembers specific events or images. Is a part of the Long term memory.

Question 11

Define Semantic Memory

Answer 11

Knowledge about the world, stores facts and general knowledge, verbal information, concepts, rules and problem solving.

• Schemers and networks store this information in the Long Term Memory.

Question 12

Define Forgetting

Answer 12

The time dependant decline in memory.

Question 13

Define Memory

Answer 13

A process of maintaining information over time.