2. Memory Flashcards
(30 cards)
Short-term memory (STM)
Mention coding, capacity, and duration
The limited-capacity memory store
― Coding is mainly acoustic (sounds)
― Capacity is between 5 to 9 items
― Duration is about 18 seconds
Long-term memory (LTM)
Mention coding, capacity, and duration
The permanent memory store
― Coding is mainly semantic (meaning)
― Capacity is unlimited
― Duration is of a lifetime
Coding
The format in which information is stored in the various memory stores
Capacity
The amount of information that can be held in a memory store
Duration
The length of time information can be held in memory
Multi-store model (MSM)
State what it represents & its role
A representation of how memory works in terms of three stores. It describes how information is transferred from one store to another, what makes some memories last or disappear
The three stores of the MSM are the sensory register, STM, and LTM
Sensory register
Definition; coding example; capacity; duration
The memory stores for each of our five senses.
― Coding in the iconic sensory register is visual, and acoustic in the echoic sensory register
― Capacity of sensory registers is huge (millions of receptors)
― Duration is less than half a second
Episodic memory
An LTM store for personal events. It includes memories of when the events occured and the people, objects, places, and behaviours involved. Memories from this store have to be retrieved consciously and with effort
Semantic memory
An LTM store for our knowledge of the world. This includes facts and knowledge of word and concept meanings. These memories usually need to be called deliberately
Procedural memory
An LTM for our knowledge of how to do things. This includes our memories of learned skills. We usually recall these memories without making a conscious or deliberate effort
Working memory model (WMM)
A representation of STM. It suggests that STM is a dynamic processor of different types of information using subunits co-ordinated by a central decision-making system
Central executive
The component of the WMM that co-ordinates the activities of the three subsystems in memory. It also allocates processing resources to those activities
Phonological loop
The component of the WMM that processes information in terms of sound. This includes both written and spoken material. It’s divided into the phonological store and the articulatory process
Visuo-spatial sketchpad
The component of the WMM that processes visual and spatial information in a mental space often called our ‘inner eye’
Episodic buffer
The component of the WMM that brings together material from the other subsystems into a single memory rather than separate strands. It also provides a bridge between working memory and long-term memory
Interference
Forgetting because one memory blocks another, causing one or both memories to be distorted or forgotten
Proactive interference
Forgetting occurs when older memories disrupt the recall of newer memories
Retroactive interference
Forgetting occurs when newer memories disrupt the recall of older memories
Retrieval failure
A form of forgetting. It occurs when we don’t have have the necessary cues to access memory. The memory is available but not accessible unless a suitable cue is provided
Cue
A ‘trigger’ of information that allows us to access a memory. Such cues may be meaningful or may be indirectly linked by being encoded at the time of learning. Indirect cues may be external or internal
Eyewitness testimony (EWT)
The ability of people to remember the details of events, such as accidents and crimes, which they have observed.
Misleading information
Incorrect information given to an eyewitness usually after the event
Leading question
A question which, because of the way it is phrased, suggests a certain answer
Post-event discussion
Occurs when there is more than one witness to an event. Witnesses may discuss what they have seen with co-witnesses or with other people. This may influence the accuracy of each witness’s recall of the event
