Introduction To Memory

Question 1

What is memory?

Answer 1

Memory is the process by which we retain and recall information about events that have happened in the past.

Question 2

What are the three key features of memory stores?

Answer 2

1. Capacity
2. Duration
3. Coding

Question 3

What does “capacity” refer to in memory stores?

Answer 3

The amount of information that can be stored.

Question 4

What does “duration” refer to in memory stores?

Answer 4

The length of time information can be held by a memory store.

Question 5

What does “coding” refer to in memory stores?

Answer 5

The format in which information is stored.

Such as:
1. Acoustic coding
2. Semantic coding

Question 6

What is acoustic coding?

Answer 6

Acoustic coding means that information is stored in the form of sounds.

(e.g., remembering a spoken word)

Question 7

What is semantic coding?

Answer 7

Semantic coding means that information is stored in the form of the meaning of the experience.

Question 8

An example of semantic coding

Answer 8

Remembering that London is the capital of England, rather than remembering the exact sentence “London is the capital of England” from a textbook.

This shows semantic coding because you recall the meaning of the fact, not the exact wording.

Question 9

What does a model represent in psychology?

Answer 9

A model does not mean an exact copy of the thing being described. It is a representation of it.

e.g., a map of a child’s location represents a person’s actual location.