Chapter 6: Memory Flashcards
(24 cards)
Memory
An active system that receives information from the sense, puts that information into a usable form, organizes it as it stores it away, & then retrieves the information from storage.
3 Processes of Memory
- Encoding
- Storage
- Retrieval
Encoding
The set of mental operations that people perform on sensory information to convert that information into a form that is usable in the brain’s storage systems.
Storage
Holding onto information for some period of time.
Retrieval
Getting information that is in storage into a form that can be used.
Models of Memory
- Information-Processing Model
- Parallel Distributed Processing Model
- Levels-of-Processing Model
Information-Processing Model
Focuses on the way information is processed through different stages of memory.
Parallel Distributed Model
Focuses on the simultaneous processing of information across multiple neuron networks.
More about the connections and timing of memory processes.
Levels-of-Processing Model
Focuses on the depth of processing associated with specific information.
Deeper processing associated with longer retention.
3 Memory Systems
- Sensory Memory
- Short-term Memory
- Long-term Memory
Sensory Memory
Very first stage of memory, the point at which information enters the nervous system through the sensory systems.
Door that is open for a brief time.
2 Kinds of Sensory Memory
- Iconic Sensory Memory
2. Echoic Sensory Memory
Iconic Memory
Visual sensory memory.
Lasting only a fraction of a second.
Capacity of Iconic Memory
Everything that can be seen at one time.
Duration of Iconic Memory
Yeah
Masking
A process wherein information that has just entered iconic memory will be pushed out very quickly by new information.
Eidetic Imagery
Aka photographic memory
The ability to access a visual memory for 30 seconds or more.
Function of Iconic Memory
Helps the visual system to view surroundings as continuous and stable in spite of these saccadic movements.
Allows the brain stem enough time to decide if the information is important enough to be brought into consciousness.
Echoic Sensory Memory
The brief memory of something a person has just heard.
Capacity of Echoic Memory
Limited to what can be heard at any one moment.
Smaller than the capacity of Iconic Memory, but lasts longer: 2 to 4 seconds.
Function of Echoic Memory
Allows person to remember what someone said long enough to recognize the meaning of a phrase.
Allows people to hold on to incoming auditory information long enough for the lower brain centers to determine whether or not processing by higher brain centers is needed.
It’s what allows musicians to tune a musical instrument.
Short-term Memory (STM)
The memory system in which information is held for brief periods of time while being used.
Selective Attention
The ability to focus on only one stimulus from among all sensory input.
Working Memory
An active system that processes the information in short-term memory.
