CH 5 - memory Flashcards
(34 cards)
what is sensory memory comprised of?
iconic memory
- visuall
- duration: .2-.4s
echoic memory
- auitory
- 3-4s
what is the duration of short term memory?
18-30s
what is the capacity of sensory memory
unlimited
what is the capacity of stm?
5-9 items
how can we increase the capacity of stm?
- chunking
- mnemonics
- maintenance rehearsal
what is stm also known as?
working memory, because it applies to tasks that require the management of information in things like learning, reading and reasoning.
what types of memory are comprised as Long term memory?
Explicit:
(memory with awareness)
- episodic, personal experiences
- semantic, general facts and knowledge
Implicit:
(memory wihtout awareness)
- Classically conditioned memory, behaviour learnt through conditioning
- Procedural memory, knowing how to do something
what is the duration of LTM?
relatively permenant
what is the capacity of LTM?
potentially unlimited
what is the function of the hippocampus?
- essential for forming explicit memories. These memories include both episodic memories (autobiographical memories from specific events, like meeting a friend for coffee) and semantic memories (general facts and information).
- The hippocampus indexes episodic memories for later access.
- temporary storage of memory
what is the function of the basal ganglia?
a group of structures (nueron cell bodies) deep within the brain, involved in the generation of voluntary movements and long-term implicit memories involving motor skills.
- long term explicit memories
- voluntary movement
what is the function of the neocortex?
- the largest part of the cerebral cortex,
- responsible for higher functions such as sensory perception, motor commands, spatial reasoning, and language.
- Over time, information from temporary memories stored in the hippocampus is transferred to the neocortex as general knowledge.
(transfer from the hippocampus to the neocortex is thought to occur during sleep.)
what is the function of the cerebellum?
- balance
- coordination of muscles
- encoding and temporary storage of implicit processes, crucial for motor learning .
- forms and stores implicit memories of simple reflexes.
what is the function of the amygdala?
- located in the brain’s temporal lobe, attaches emotional significance to memories.
- Strong emotional memories (associated with feelings like joy, love, grief, fear or shame) are difficult to forget due to the amygdala’s involvement.
what is the role of the Prefrontal Cortex?
- crucial for STM
- allows us to temporarily hold information
- perform tasks like mental arithmetic or rmeember a phone number.
what are the weaknesses of the Atkinson-shiffron model?
- Model distinguishes between the differing stores involve in memory
- Outlines that each memory store has a different capacity and duration
- Provides a good understanding of the structure and process of memory
- Findings from memory studies support the distinction between the STM and LTM.
Can explain why amnesia patients may have difficulty retrieving memories from LTM or encoding info from STM to LTM.
what are the weaknesses of the Atkinson-Shiffron model?
- May be considered to be an over-simplication of memory.
- STM is more complex. It is proposed that it encompasses different components within it.
- Ignores factors like motivation and strategy
- Initially, model suggests that rehearsal is required for LTM, when studies show that info can turn into LTM without rehearsal.
- Does not account for individual differences in memory processes, storage duration, and capacity.
what is memory?
the process of encoding, storage and retrieval of information acquired from learning.
what is an autobiographical event, and what type of memory does it involve?
a personally lived experience, involving both episodic and semantic memory.
what is mental time travel?
to ‘relive’ the past, and use that information to imagine the future.
- i.e. Possible imagined future of planning what to wear to semi-formal party on a 30 degree day
what is alzheimer’s disease?
a neurodegenerative disease under the branch of Dementia.
- gradual, widespread degeneration of neurons
- personality changes
- progressive decline in memories
- deterioration of cognitive and social skills
- death (late stage)
the brain will become atrophied (shrinks)
- neurons become damages, they die off and the brain tissue skrinks.
what causes alzheimer’s disease?
AMYLOID PLAQUES
- when beta-amyloid proteins build up abnormally. This build up plaques between the synapses of neurons, and so interfere with communication.
NEURPOFIBRILLARY TANGLES
- when proteins build up inside the neuron and are associated with cell death. This interferes with the flow of information travels between the cell and neurons, disrupting communication.
LACK OF THE NEUROTRANSMITTER ACETYLCHOLINE
- an important memory Neurotransmitter
—> Alzheimer’s disease systematically destroys acetylcholine.
what are some solutions for Alzheimer’s disease?
there is currently no indefinite cure to Alzheimer’s disease, however, there are control methods which slow down the impact of the neurodegenerative disease.
- Acetycholine therapy: reducing their breakdown
- vaccines: for the body to attack beta-amyloid plaques before they clump
how is memory flawed?
- we may misperceive things, bias
- information affects the creation, storage or retrieval of memory.
- impact of strong emotions
unreliable for things like profiling, seen in many legaql cases - and yet, human witnesses are still heavily depended on for the outcome of many trials.
