13. MEMORY Flashcards
1
Q
- What is memory?
Provide a vague definition.
A
- it is the learning we retain over a long period of time
2
Q
- Provide a scientific definition for human memory.
A
- it is an Information Processing System
- it works constructively to encode, store and retrieve information
3
Q
- What are the three key Memory Processes?
A
- Encoding
- Storage
- Retrieval
4
Q
- What is Forgetting a result of?
A
- it can result from a failure of any of the three stages
(Encoding, Storage, Retrieval) - it is not an issue with the whole memory process itself
5
Q
- With regards to comparing your memory to a computer (the Computer Paradigm), what is Encoding?
A
- this is the same as typing data into a computer system
6
Q
- With regards to comparing your memory to a computer (the Computer Paradigm), what is Storage?
A
- it is the same as the data that has been stored in a hard disc or on a flash drive
- this is the second step
- you now have information stored for later
7
Q
- With regards to comparing your memory to a computer (the Computer Paradigm), what is Retrieval?
A
- it is the third step
- this is when the information that is already in storage is needed
- and one has to bring it back for usage
8
Q
- What are the three major stages of Memory?
A
- Sensory Memory
- Short Term Memory
(Working Memory) - Long-Term Memory
9
Q
- What areas do the three stages of memory differ in?
A
- Capacity
- Duration
- Function
10
Q
- What is Capacity?
A
- it refers to how much information can be stored
11
Q
- What is Duration?
A
- it refers to how long the information can be stored for
12
Q
- What is Function?
A
- it refers to what is done with the stored information
- it refers to what is done with the capacity and the function
13
Q
- What is Sensory Input?
A
- it is everything we:
- see
- hear
- taste
- smell
14
Q
- What happens to the Sensory Input?
A
- it is encoded
- it is changed into a format that the brain can interpret
15
Q
- Where does all the sensory input go into?
A
- all the sensory input goes into our sensory memory
16
Q
- What does our Sensory Memory collect?
What does it do with this?
A
- it collects everything from all our sense
- it processes all this information very quickly and briefly
- the information stays in our Sensory Memory for 2 seconds
(unless we give this information attention)
17
Q
- What is the Function of Sensory Memory?
A
- it holds the information long enough to be processed
for basic physical characteristics
18
Q
- What is the Capacity of the Sensory Memory?
A
- it is large
- it can hold many items at once
19
Q
- What is the Duration of the Sensory Memory?
A
- it has a very brief retention of images
- it is about 250 milli seconds for visual information
- it is 3 seconds for auditory information
20
Q
- How does Sensory Memory form?
A
- it forms automatically
- it does not need attention or interpretation to form
21
Q
- What is needed to transfer Sensory Memory to Working Memory?
A
- attention
22
Q
- What are the two types of Sensory Memory?
(that are converted into Working Memory)
A
- Iconic Memory
- Echoic Memory
23
Q
- What is Iconic Memory?
A
- it is used for visual information
- it holds information for 250 milli seconds
- it relates to nerve impulses sent from the eye
24
Q
- What is Echoic Memory?
A
- it is used for auditory information
- it holds information for 3 seconds
- it relates to nerve impulses sent from the ear
25
25. What exists for each sense?
- a separate register
- memory images take the form of nerve impulses at this stage
26
26. Which Memory Register exists for Touch?
- Tactile Memory
27
27. Which Memory Register exists for Smell?
- Olfactory Memory
28
28. Which Memory Register exists for Taste?
- Gustatory Memory
29
29. Where will information go once it has been given Attention?
- it will go to Short-Term Memory
30
30. What is capacity does Short Term memory have?
- it has 7 +/- 2 pieces of information
31
31. How long can pieces of information be stored in Short Term Memory?
- they can be stored for 20 seconds before they decay
32
32. What is necessary to keep the information in the short-term memory?
What is this process called?
- we must repeat and practice this information
- this is known as Rehearsal or Maintenance Rehearsal
33
33. What is another term for Short Term Memory?
- Working Memory
34
34. What are the three components of Short Term Memory (Working Memory)?
1. Central Executive
2. Phonological Loop
3. Visuo-Spatial Sketchpad
35
35. What is Central Executive?
- this resembles attention
36
36. What is the Phonological Loop?
- it holds the information in a speech-based form
37
37. What is the Visuo-Spatial Sketchpad?
- it is specialised for holding visual and spatial information
38
38. What is the function of Short Term Memory (Working Memory)?
- it is responsible for the Conscious Processing of information
- it is where information is actively worked on
39
39. What is the code for Short Term Memory?
- it is often based on sound or speech
- it even has visual inputs
40
40. What happens if maintenance rehearsal cannot be used?
- the memory decays quickly
41
41. What is one method to improve your Short Term Memory (Working Memory)?
- Chunking
42
42. What is Chunking?
- it is grouping small bits of information into larger units of information
- it expands the Working Memory Load
43
43. What happens to the information in the Short Term Memory (Working Memory) that is rehearsed?
- the information will enter the long-term memory
44
44. What can be said about the Capacity of the Long Term Memory?
- it has an unlimited capacity
45
45. What can be said about the Duration of the Long Term Memory?
- it has an unlimited duration
- some psychologists think it to be permanent
46
46. What percentage of information that reaches the Short-Term memory goes into the Long-Term memory?
- around 25%
47
47. What happens when we need to remember something from the long-term memory?
- we must retrieve it
- bring it back into the short-term memory
- this is where it can be outputted from
48
48. When can information be encoded into long term memory?
- after it passes from sensory information to working memory
49
49. What is the function of Long Term Memory?
- it organises and stores information
- it is a more passive form of storage than working memory
50
50. What is the Encoding process?
- it is the process that controls the movement from Short Term Memory (Working Memory)
TO
Long Term Memory Storage
(this is the process of getting the information in)
51
51. What is the process of Retrieval?
- the process that controls the flow of information from the Long Term memory
TO
the Short Term Memory (Working Memory)
(this is the process of getting information out)
52
52. What is the Primacy-Recency Effect?
(the Serial Position Effect)
- when presented with a lot of information in Serial
Order:
- we remember more from the beginning
and from the end of the list
- this is at the expense of the Intermediate
Items
53
53. Finish the sentence:
In general, meaning is ___________ rather than being
an exact representation
- encoded
54
54. What is the process of storing information into long-term memory known as?
- Consolidation
55
55. What does Consolidation involve?
- it involves a structural change
- the pattern of neural pathways are changed
- it requires Metabolic Activity for minutes/hours after the stimulus has been presented
56
56. What is Long Term Potentiation?
- it is the strengthening of synapses
- it is the cellular foundation for memory
57
57. Which condition is the introduction of Long Term Potentiation into treatment useful for?
- Dementia
58
58. Why is Short Term Memory (Working Memory) prone to interference?
- traces of information will only remain in Short Term memory (Working Memory) with repeated rehearsal
- the information has to be attended to
- this can be prone to interference
59
59. What are two types of Interference in Memory Recall (Working Memory)?
-Retroactive Interference
- Proactive Interference
60
60. What is Retroactive Interference?
Provide examples.
- the new information interferes with the retention of old information in the Short Term Memory
(Working Memory)
- EG: trying to remember your old phone number after using a new phone for several months
- EG: finding it difficult to revert back to using manual gears after driving an automatic car for a prolonged period of time
61
61. What is Proactive Interference?
Provide examples.
- the old information interferes with the recall of new information
- EG: giving your old phone number to someone instead of your new one
- EG: attempting to change gears while driving your new automatic car
