6 – Memory 1 Flashcards

1
Q

What model of memory dominated from the 1950s to the 1980s?

A

The computer metaphor: the mind is a symbol processing system, like a computer: uses symbols to represent things in the world. It is involved in information processing: acquisition, storage & manipulation of symbols to meet task demands.

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2
Q

What model of memory dominates from the 1980s to today?

A

Connectionist framework
• Neural metaphor: the mind is a network of inter- connected processing units (neurons)
• Processing consists of transmission of activation and inhibition within these networks

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3
Q

How does the satisfactoriness of good and bad explanations, with and without neuroscience underpinning, vary across samples?

A

Novices: rated the bad explanation as negative without neuroscience but positive with neuroscience.

Early cog science students: same, but also rated good explanations as better with neuroscience.

Cog science graduates: only rated the good explanation without neuroscience as positive.

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4
Q

What are the three levels at which we can analyse cognitive performance, according to Marr (1982)?

A

Computational
• What needs to be computed for the task to be carried out?

Representation & algorithm
• The form in which information is represented and the steps or procedures that occur to transform inputs into outputs

Hardware
• Physical means by which the representation and algorithm are realised (brain or computer?)

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5
Q

What is experimental cognitive psychology and what are its shortcomings?

A

Experimental cognitive psychology

  • develops theories of cognitive processes underlying a task.
  • uses behavioural evidence to test theories
    e. g. face inversion effect

BUT theories often abstract, and tests rely on inferences

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6
Q

What is cognitive neuropsychology and what are its shortcomings?

A

Cognitive neuropsychology

  • uses patterns of impairment after brain injury to infer the functional organisation of the brain
  • dissociations between different tasks implies that they rely on different neural systems (especially if double dissociations)

BUT

  • it has to rely on “single cases”
  • and assumes “isomorphism” between physical/functional brain organisation

e.g. HM

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7
Q

What is computational modelling and what are its shortcomings?

A

Computational modelling
- creates a computer program based on model of task performance
- requires precise specification of all details of the model
BUT
- often have to specify details that are not part of theory
- the fact that the task can be done that way does not mean it’s how PEOPLE do it

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8
Q

What is cognitive neuroscience and what are its shortcomings?

A

Cognitive neuroscience

  • takes “snapshots” of brain activity while people are performing cognitive tasks (e.g., PET, fMRI)
  • seems to provide direct measure of brain regions underlying performance

BUT

  • different measures reflect different aspects of brain function
  • vary in how precise they are in temporal resolution – cog. processes happen v. quickly; these techniques can’t capture them
  • and techniques require effective application of cognitive psychological methods
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9
Q

What does the face inversion effect suggest?

A

Recognition of faces relies on configural information about the shape of the face and position of the features within it, rather than on a detailed analysis of features. Processing is specific to upright faces.

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10
Q

Why are we so bad at recognising anomalies in inverted faces?

A

Very bad at recognising anomalies in inverted faces because we rely so heavily on configural processing, rather than processing of features.

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11
Q

How do prosopagnosics do on inverted face tests?

A

Same as normals. They have trouble with configural processing, so its absence when face is inverted normalises their results.

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12
Q

Cognitive psychology tests _______ using experimental techniques in order to develop and evaluate theories of ________ processes.

A

Cog psych tests behaviour using experimental techniques in order to develop and evaluate theories of cognitive processes.

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13
Q

Neuroscience uses ______ models in order to generate predictions about ______ activity, which allow us to interpret why we observe activity in certain _______ during certain _______.

A

Neuroscience uses cognitive models in order to generate predictions about brain activity, which allow us to interpret why we observe activity in certain regions during certain tasks.

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14
Q

Cognitive neuropsychology takes individuals with known brain _________ and uses that to draw inferences about the ________ system.

A

Cognitive neuropsychology takes individuals with known brain dysfunction and uses that to draw inferences about the neural system.

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15
Q

Computational modelling takes ________ models and implements them as _______ _________ to see if they can effectively predict ________.

A

Computational modelling takes cognitive models and implements them as computer programs to see if they can effectively predict behaviour.

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16
Q

What is sensory memory?

A

Sensory memory – brief literal copy of event: iconic (visual) memory, echoic (auditory) memory.

17
Q

What is short-term memory?

A

A “buffer” for the temporary maintenance of information.

18
Q

Three types of long-term memory?

A
  1. Semantic memory –facts/concepts
  2. Episodic memory –autobiographical info
  3. Procedural memory – driving a car
19
Q

How many items do people normally

remember in letter-span tasks?

A

7

20
Q

What happens if pps have to count out loud while remembering in letter-span tasks?

A

Can’t rehearse. Can’t say letters to yourself in head. Uses same code –speech system – as you would use to rehearse.

21
Q

What is Craik and Lockhart’s levels of processing hypothesis?

A

Memory best when encoding task requires deep rather than shallow processing.

22
Q

What 3 conditions bring about deep processing of memory, according to Craik and Lockhart?

A

Memory is better for material that is semantically organized at encoding

  1. by requiring categorisation at encoding
  2. when more elaboration is encouraged during encoding
  3. when material is self-relevant
23
Q

______________ between different tasks implies that they rely on different __________ systems (especially if ________ dissociations)

A

Dissociations between different tasks implies that they rely on different neural systems (especially if double dissociations).