chapter 6 Flashcards
memory
an information processing system that actively receives, organises, stores and recovers information
the information processing model
1. ENCODING
-converting sensory information into a useable form that can be processed by the brain.
-the first stage
-for the encoding process to begin you must pay attention to the information
the information processing model
2. STORAGE
-retaining information over time
-if we store the information in an organised way it makes it easier to recover memories when we need them.
the information processing model
3. RETRIEVAL
-accessing information that has previously been stored
-the process of locating and recovering the stored information from memory so that we are consciously aware of it.
-Retrieval relies on using the right cues or hints so that we can locate the correct piece of information in the vast network of our memories
information processing model
sensory information
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ENCODING: converting information into a usable form
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STORAGE: retaining information for a period of time
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RETRIEVAL: accessing information that has been previously stored
multi-store model of memory
-suggests that there are 3 independent stores that function simultaneously and interact with each other to process information
-each store processes information in a different way and varies in its role, capacity and duration.
ROLE: the function of a memory store.
CAPACITY: the amount of information held within a memory store.
DURATION: the length of time information is held within a memory store.
LOOK AT THE MULTI-STORE MODEL OF MEMORY DIAGRAM
sensory memory
-a memory store that receives and stores an unlimited amount of incoming sensory information for a brief time.
-we are not consciously aware of the information that is held in sensory memory, you must pay attention to important sensory information for it to be further processed and transferred into the next memory store, short-term memory.
-If you do not attend to this sensory information, it will be lost from your memory forever.
sensory memory
-function
-sensory memory is the entry point for all new sensory stimuli
-Sensory memory filters out any unnecessary information, preventing us from being overwhelmed by the vast
amount of sensory information (more likely to focus on information that is novel, relevant or important to us)
-Sensory memory also stores sensory impressions long enough for each impression to slightly overlap the first. This allows us to perceive the world around us as continuous, rather than as a series of disconnected images or sounds
sensory memory
-capacity
-unlimited capacity
- its storage capabilities are structured to deal with the immense amounts of sensory stimuli entering at any given time.
sensory memory
-duration
-Sensory memory holds information for 0.2–4 seconds.
- it is extremely brief but long enough for the large amount of sensory information to be temporarily stored and assessed by the brain to decide whether it should enter short-term memory or not.
-each sense has a sensory register, duration varies from a fraction of a second to a few seconds depending on the register.
e.g. it takes a small amount of time to process an image (visual register) but longer to process each word of a sentence (auditory register).
echoic and iconic memory
ICONIC:
Function- Exact replica of visual information
Duration- 0.3–0.5
Capacity- unlimited
ECHOIC:
Function- Exact replica of auditory information
Duration- 3–4 seconds
Capacity- Unlimited
short-term memory
-after information has been attended to in sensory memory it is moved to short-term memory.
-A memory store that has limited capacity of short duration, unless the information is renewed.
-information that has been transferred from sensory memory to short term memory is no longer in its raw form, but rather is an encoding of the information based on its sensory form.
-in this memory store, information is conscious and actively manipulated so we can retain the information for long enough to use it.
-it is where all conscious mental processes such as decision making or perception origionates.
-recieves information from sensory memory and transfers information to and from long term memory.
-short term memory can be easily lost unless it is renewed or manipulated.
short-term memory
-function
-Once information has entered our short-term memory, we can actively manipulate the encoded information while we complete everyday tasks.
-This occurs through receiving and integrating information from both sensory memory and long-term memory.
EXAMPLE:
- when you go to a cafe and try a new food, your sensory memory receives sensory information about the food, such as the colour, taste and texture, and sends it to your short term memory.
- Your short-term memory retrieves and compares existing information that was held by your long-term memory about similar foods that you have eaten in the past. By comparing this information, your short-term memory can then send new information (that the food is delicious) to your long-term memory for long-term storage.
short-term memory
-capacity
-holds a limited amount of information
-Short-term memory has a smaller capacity than sensory memory or long-term memory
-an average adult can only hold 7 ± 2 items, or 5–9 unrelated items, in short-term memory.
-if short-term memory is at capacity, new items can only be added if some old items are pushed out. (known as displacement)
-Displacement can make it difficult to do more than one task at a time when manipulating information in short-term memory.
-capacity in short-term memory can be extended by the process chunking (grouping separate items together EG. phone number)
short-term memory
-duration
-The duration of short-term memory is limited compared to sensory memory and long-term memory, lasting for 18–30 seconds. if after 30 seconds the info is not manipulated it will fade and be lost (DECAY)
-decay can be prevented by rehearsal (the conscious manipulation of information to keep it in short-term memory for longer or to transfer it to long-term memory)
-MAINTENANCE REHEARSAL- which is when you repeat the information being remembered either vocally (out loud) or sub-vocally (in your head) to preserve it in your short-term memory.
-ELABORATIVE REHEARSAL- the best way to transfer info into long-term memory - involves giving meaning to new information and making associations with other information already stored in your long-term memory. (creating questions, mind maps)
long-term memory
-A relatively permanent memory system that holds vast amounts of information for an extended period, possibly for life. (LTM)
-After information in short-term memory has been processed, it is transferred to the last
level of the multi-store model, long-term memory.
-when information is transferred to long term memory, it undergoes further encoding according to its meaning and it once again becomes unconscious - to prevent us from being overwhelmed by the vast amount of info that is stored in long-term memory.
long-term memory
-function
-Information stored in long-term memory is organised semantically, which means that the meaning of the word, phrase, picture, event or thing is encoded, as opposed to its sensory input (e.g. sound, image or texture).
-semantic info is stored for a long time in an organised way, according to meaning.
-having your memories well organised means that you can retrieve the info more efficiently.
long-term memory
-capacity
-unlimited capacity, can store a lifetime of memories
long-term memory
-duration
-the duration of long-term memory is
relatively permanent in comparison to sensory and short-term memory.
-information is thought to last in the memory store for a long time, sometimes for life.
-info can decay because of physical or psychological factors (e.g. Alzheimers or dementias)
implicit and explicit memories
-different types of memories can be categorised as either implicit memory or explicit memory - both types of memories involve information that is retrieved from long-term memory.
EXPLICIT MEMORY
-information that can be consciously retrieved from LTM and stated, such as ‘known facts’.
-Explicit memory can otherwise be known as declarative or ‘knowing that’ information because it tends to be expressed as words or symbols and is easily verbalised.
DECLARATIVE MEMORY:
-an explicit long-term memory of specific facts and events, most of which can be stated or ‘declared’.
DIFFERENT MEMORIES CAN BE CONSIDERED EXPLICIT:
Semantic memory- the declarative memory of facts or knowledge about the world
Episodic memory -the declarative memory of personally experienced events
IMPLICIT MEMORY
-memory not requiring conscious retrieval from LTM, such as ‘how to’ skills.
-Implicit memory does not require conscious or intentional retrieval.
-are referred to as non-declarative or ‘how to’ knowledge because they include memory of stored routines and emotional responses.
-different from explicit memory because it can be very difficult to verbalise how to perform a sequence of actions required to do something.
Some types of implicit memories are:
procedural memory:
- knowledge of skills, habits or actions; for example, knowing how to type, knowing how to arrange flowers or how to do your hair.
conditioned emotional response:
-a learned emotional reaction occurs in response to a stimulus or an event that you have formed an association with.
-A conditioned emotional response typically involves negative emotions such as fear or anger, but it can also involve strong positive emotions such as happiness or excitement.