Memory Flashcards
(29 cards)
What is the multi-store model of memory?
An explanation of memory based on three separate memory stores…
-Sensory register
-Short term memory store
-Long term memory store
…and the processes that enable the transfer of information from one store to another. (attention, maintenance rehearsal, retrieval)
What is the sensory register?
The information collected by your senses. The capacity of seonsory memory is very large but the information is retained for lest than half a second. The method of coding depends on the sense organ involved.
How do you define short-term memory (STM)?
You memory for immediate events. It has a short duration (around 18 seconds) and a limited capacity (5-9 items or chunks) and tends to be coded acoustically. Short term memories disappear unless rehearsed.
How do you define long-term memory (LTM)
Your memory for events that happened in the past. It has potentially unlimited in duration and capacity tends to be coded semantically.
What is coding in the context of memory?
The way information is changed so it can be stored in memory. It enters the brain via the senses and is stored in different forms.
eg. visual codes (pictures)
acoustic codes (sounds)
semantic codes (the meaning of experience)
It is also known as ‘encoding’.
What does capacity measure in the context of memory?
How much can be held in memory, represented as bits of information such as digits.
What does duration measure in the context of memory?
How long a memory lasts before it is no longer available.
How would you describe episodic memory?
A type of long term memory. It is part of the explicit memory and involves personal memories of events. It includes contextual details plus emotional tone.
How would you describe procedural memory?
A type of long term memory. It is memories of how to do things. Procedural memories are automatic, implicit and the result of repeated practice.
How would you describe semantic memory?
A type of long term memory. It is part of the explicit memory and relates to shared facts and knowledge, which may be concrete or abstract.
What is the working memory model.
It is an explanation of the short-term memory that views memory as an active process. It is split into four systems :
- The central executive
- The phonological loop
- The visuo-spatial sketchpad
- The episodic buffer
What does the central executive do?
It monitors and coordinates all other mental functions in working memory, including attention, decision making and controlling the other slave systems (phonological loop and visuo-spatial sketchpad) It has a limited capacity.
Can be thought of as the boss as has overall control of the working memory.
What does the phonological loop do?
It codes speech sounds in working memory, typically by maintenance rehearsal (repeating words over and over again) It has a limited capacity.
What does the visuo-spatial sketchpad do?
It codes visual information (what things look like) and spatial information (the physical relationship between things) It has limited capacity.
What does the episodic buffer do?
It integrates information from the central executive, the phonological loop, and the visuo-spatial sketchpad. It also maintains a sense of times sequencing and sends information to the long term memory. It has limited capacity.
Name two explanations for forgetting
Interference and retrieval failure due to absence of ques.
What is interference?
An explanation of forgetting where one memory disrupts the ability to recall another. Most likely when memories have a similarity.
What is proactive interference (PI)?
Proactive interference (PI) occurs when past learning interference with current attempts to learn something.
What is retroactive interference (RI)?
Retroactive interference (RI) occurs when current attempts to learn something interfere with past learning.
What is retrieval failure?
Am explanation of forgetting based on based on the idea that the issue relates to retrieving a memory that is available but not accessible. Retrieval depends on cues and retrieval failure occurs when there is an absence of cues.
What are cues?
Things that serve as a trigger for other memories. They are usually split into context cues (e.g. environment) or state cues (e.g. mood). If we are given a cue, it can allow access to information that is otherwise inaccessible.
What is the name of evidence provided in court by a person who witnessed a crime, with a view to identifying the perpetrator of the crime?
Eyewitness testimony
Name the factors that affect eyewitness testimony?
Misleading information (for example, leading questions and post event discussion) and anxiety.
Name one procedure that can improve the accuracy of eyewitness testimony.
The cognitive interview
