DP4 Process of Memory

Question 1

What are the three types of memory?

Answer 1

Sensory Memory, Short Term Memory (STM), Long Term Memory (LTM)

Question 2

Functions of Sensory Memory

Answer 2

• Unlimited capacity
• Holds information for 0.2-4 seconds
• Stimuli that is paid attention to are transferred to (STM)

Question 3

Functions of Short Term Memory (STM)

Answer 3

• Holds limited amount of information (7±2 or 5-9 unrelated items)
• Information may be: Discarded, Retained, or it may be encoded and transferred into LTM)
• Lasts for 18-30 Seconds (decays if not manipulated)
• To prevent decay:
  Elaborative Rehearsal: Consciously Manipulating Information (linking, associations, explaining, categorizing)
  Maintenance Rehearsal: Repeating Information Vocally os Sub-vocally (keeps information in STM longer)

Question 4

Functions of Long Term Memory (LTM)

Answer 4

• Relatively permanent duration compared to sensory and STM
• unlimited capacity, can store a lifetime of memories
• exact storage capacity is still being researched

Question 5

What causes LTM to decay?

Answer 5

• Simply forgetting
• Neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimers)
• Disease and other dementias
• Physical or psychological factors

Question 6

To bring memory back into conscious awareness, what process does LTM go through?

Answer 6

Retrieval

Question 7

Identify the types of retrieval

Answer 7

Recall - retrieving information without cues
(writing an Essay without notes)
Recognition - Identifying correct info from options
(Multiple-choice questions)
Relearning - Learning info again after forgetting
(Re-studying material before a SAC/Exam)
Reconstruction - Actively rebuilding a memory, sometimes with distortions.
(recalling a scene based on fragmented details)

Question 8

What leads to better retrival?

Answer 8

Deep encoding, like elaborative rehearsal.

While not part of retrieval itself, encoding is important because how information is stored affects how it can be retrieved.