Cognitive Approach KWs Flashcards
(41 cards)
Memory
Process by which info is encoded, stored and retrieved
Model of memory
Hypothesised representation of memroy
Multi-store memory - and what are the 3 distinct stores
Proposed by Atkinson & Shiffrin arguing memory is stored in a series of separated locations: sensory register, short-term, long-term
Sensory register/ memory
- Info from senses → lasts approx. half a second before forgotten
- Can be moved to STM
Short term memory
- Can be encoded as: visually, acoustically, semantically
- Thought to have cap of 5-8 items, lasts 30 secs (either can be increased through chunking)
Long term memory
- Goes here by rehearsing
- Predominantly encoded semantically.
Strengths of MSM
- Large base of research that supports idea of STM & LTM (via patient KF)
- Makes sense that memories in LTM encoded semantically (cuz eg. might recall general idea/ concept from a psych lesson but not remember stats from case study)
- Pioneering model that inspired/ influenced WMM.
Limitations of MSM
- Some research on STM duration has low ecological validity, cuz stimuli asked to remember bear little resemblance to items learned irl.
- Might be oversimplified: evidence suggests there aer multiple short & long term memory stores (eg. LTM can be split into episodic, procedural and semantic memory
- Doesn’t make sense to say procedural memory (type of LTM) as being encoded semantically (eg. knowing how to ride a bike through meaning..)
- Doesn’t exp memory distortion
Working Memory Model
- Extension of MSM. Implies STM is not a single store, rather a collection of stores - more sophisticated version. But focuses a lot on only STM.
- WMM argues there are diff stores for visual and auditory processing
- 4 main parts: central executive, phonological loop, VSS, episodic buffer
Central executive
- Decides which tasks assigned to specific slave systems (like managing director)
- Not a memory store, but a ‘command centre’ cuz plays a key role in controlling process of WMM
- Difficult to test
Phonological loop
- Organises acoustic info in form of spoken or written info
- Divided into 2 parts:
- Phonological store
- Articulatory control system
Visuo-spatial sketchpad (VSS)
- Organises visual and spatial info (eg. colour of flowers, arrangement of living room)
- Used in stuff like recognising people, giving directions to stranger
- Divided into 2 parts:
- Visual cache
- Inner scribe (movement related info → stored in visual cache)
Episodic buffer
Goes in between phonological loop and VSS to integrate info from diff sources to create a unified, coherent memory representation.
Schemas
mental representations that are derived from prior experience and knowledge
Bottom-up
using raw info/ sensory info and then assembling and integrating it (what am i seeing?)
Top down
using models, ideas, prior knowledge and expectations to interpret sensory info (is this something i’ve seen before?
Schema’s help us…
Schemas help us predict what’s about to happen based on knowledge from past.
Cognitive misers
We are cognitive misers cuz rely too much on past knowledge; reluctant to put effort into thinking
Scripts
very specific schema, patterns of behaviours or order of expected events learned through environment; these have a cultural context.
Assimilation of new info
New info is assimilated into our schema
Accommodation
info is replaced
How are humans active processors of info?
Our brain fills in blanks with existing schemas.
What does schema theory explain?
Schema theory explains why people have false/ distorted memories, however, can’t be measure or observed → construct validity may be challenged.
Dual processing model
System 1 - (FAST) automatic, intuitive mode of thinking, often using mental-shortuts that focus on one piece of info while ignoring others; heuristics.
System 2 - (SLOW) thinking is conscious, rational mode of thinking that requires more effort but often accompanied by less feelings of certainty.
