Week 7 Encoding and Retrieval Flashcards
what is better for encoding and memory an why? elaborative or maintenance rehearsal
elaborative becuase you make connections and give meaning
levels of processing theory
shallow vs deep processing
memory is affected by how we encode
self reference effect
memory is better for information we link to ourselves
we know ourselves well so its a strong link
generation effect
generating material yourself is really good for memory - enhances learning and retention
retrieval practice
memory can be enhanced by the elaboration of information that occurs when you test memory
ways to study effetively
elaborate/make associations - transfer to LTM
generate/test
organize
take breaks
avoid illusions of learning
-familiarity
retrieval cues
Words, location or other stimuli that help us remember information stored in memory
cued recall always does better than free recall
consolidation
The process that transforms new memories from a fragile state in which they can be disrupted, to a more permanent state, in which they are resistant to disruption
two types of mechanisms for consolidation
Synaptic consolidation
○ Minutes to hours
○ Involves structural changes at the synapses
Systems consolidation
○ Months to years
○ Gradual reorganization of neural circuits within the brain
synaptic consolidation
experience: repeated firing strengthens the connections of the synapses through multiple NT releases, can form proteins that enhance transmission
long term potentiation (LTP)
systems consolidation
retrieval: repeated retrievals cause changes in the neural circuits that represent memories
most accepted theory for how consolidation works
how does systems consolidation move through the brain
standard model of consolidation
starts at hippocampus and the connections in the cortex are very dependent on it
over time and practice, the memories are strongly connected just within the cortex and the hippocampal connections fade away
- consolidated
why is the hippocampus associated with retrograde amnesia
it is important for inital encoding and consolidation, so recent memories prior to injury havent gooten to be consolidated properly
multiple trace model of consolidation
thinks hippocampus stays active over time but its response changes but only for stimuli that have lost episodic character
active for remote memories
-posterior hippocampus involved but anterior more so for newer memories
-representation of remote memories throughout the brain
why does sleep help with consolidation
removes environmental stimuli that interrupts consolidation
what is reconsolidation
when we remember something, it becomes vulnerable again and we have to consolidate it again\
vulnerable to change from new information and experiences - why memories can become inaccurate
can even be deleted
a link of sleep and consolidation we saw in lecture
older adults get less REM sleep and memory declines
-poorer consolidation of memories due to less sleep
slower wave activity in older adults and reduction of activation in frontal cortex (decision making)
when retrieving: older adults use more frontal cortex (decision making) and younger adults use hippocampus (memories vulnerable to change)
false memories have been shown by what paradigm
the DRM paradigm
themed word that is not in the list of words, recalled as being there
what is the misinformation paradigm
being exposed to misleading information after an event has occurred can affect your memory of the event
- car crash (speed reported impacted by use of word ‘crash’ vs ‘bump’)
-assumptions built into questions or information after the event affect interpretation of the event
what is the idea behind false memory
the memory recall is fallible
we are more likely to ‘remember’ details that fit in with our
expectations
reasons why eyewitness memory can be so poor
weak encoding (limited exposure, fast)
selective encoding (weapon focus - distracted/fearing for safety) - finite attention
distortion during storage (source amnesia or source misattribution)
what is source misattribution/amnesia and how does it affect eyewitnesses
forgetting where you saw something
-lineups (if someone is repeated in a lineup you are likely to say they committed the crime - you forget that they are familiar due to the lineup and not due to witnessing the crime)
