Memory

Question 1

What is the definition of learning?

Answer 1

Relatively permanent change in behaviour due to experience

Question 2

What is the definition of memory?

Answer 2

An active process that receives, organises, stores and recovers information when needed.

Question 3

What is synaptic plasticity?

Answer 3

The ability of a synapse to change over time in order to become more efficient

Question 4

What is long term potentiation

Answer 4

The long term strengthening of synaptic connections

Question 5

What’s the role of LTP

Answer 5

To create more effective synaptic transmission

Question 6

What is long term depression?

Answer 6

The long term weakening of synaptic connections

Question 7

What is the role of LTD?

Answer 7

To create less effective synaptic transmission

This makes room to form new memories

Question 8

What is synaptogenesis?

Answer 8

The formation of synapses between neurons

Question 9

What is a key difference between neurotransmitters and neurohormones

Answer 9

1. NT released at the synapse, NH released into the bloodstream
2. NTs can only act as NTs, NH can act as both NT or NH
3. NT message travels quicker than NH (less distance to travel)

Question 10

Does adrenaline play a role in forming memories?

Answer 10

Yes, adrenaline plays a critical role in consolidating memories which are stressful or emotionally arousing.

Question 11

What is consolidation?

Answer 11

The process of making newly formed memories stable after learning

Question 12

What is the role of the amygdala?

Answer 12

Consolidation of implicit memories with emotional components

Question 13

What is the role of the cerebellum (in forming memory)

Answer 13

Encodes implicit memories created by classical conditioning, requiring motor control, coordination and balance

Question 14

What is stored in the cerebral cortex

Answer 14

Declarative and procedural memories

Question 15

What is the role of the hippocampus

Answer 15

Encodes explicit memories from STM to LTM

Question 16

What is the role of the prefrontal cortex in memory.

Answer 16

Processes STM so they can be sent to the appropriate lobe and linked to LTM

Question 17

Which part of the brain is responsible for spatial memories?

Answer 17

Parietal lobe

Question 18

Which part of the brain is responsible for facial recognition?

Answer 18

Occipital lobe

Question 19

What part of the brain is responsible for auditory information of language?

Answer 19

Temporal lobe

Question 20

What is brain trauma?

Answer 20

Physical damage to the brain that results in emotional, physical, or behavioural dysfunction

Question 21

What is included in post operative cognitive decline?

Answer 21

Impairment of memory
Impaired concentration
Impaired language comprehension

Question 22

What is the role of the left brain

Answer 22

Analytic thought
Logic
Language
Science and math

Question 23

What is the role of the right brain?

Answer 23

Holistic thought
Intuition
Creativity
Art and music

Question 24

How does amnesia occur?

Answer 24

Damage to the hippocampus and surrounding areas

Question 25

What is anterograde amnesia

Answer 25

The inability to form new long term memories

Question 26

What is retrograde amnesia

Answer 26

Inability to retrieve previously stored memories (can encode memories but can't retrieve)

Question 27

What is Alzheimer's disease?

Answer 27

An incurable and degenerative disease that results from a loss of neurons in the hippocampus and causes memory loss and personality change

Question 28

What are some symptoms of Alzheimer's disease

Answer 28

Memory loss (declarative memories) Personality change Confusion and disorientation Repetition

Question 29

How does Alzheimer's effect the brains physiology?

Answer 29

``` Cortical shrinkage Amyloid plaques Tangles Decrease in acetylcholine Atrophy ```

Question 30

What is an amyloid plaque?

Answer 30

The area between the neurons turning hard, preventing communication between synapses

Question 31

What is acetylcholine

Answer 31

Neurotransmitter responsible for forming memories

Question 32

What is atrophy

Answer 32

The wasting away of brain tissue

Question 33

What are context dependant cues?

Answer 33

Sensory cues that occured where memories occured, which in future help to retrieve memory

Question 34

What are state dependant cues?

Answer 34

The internal physiological and psychological cues that occured at the time of memory formation that act as retrieval cues

Question 35

What is maintenance rehearsal

Answer 35

Simple repetition of information to make sure it is held in STM for longer than 12-30 seconds

Question 36

What is elaborative rehearsal?

Answer 36

Connects new information to information already stored in LTM in a meaningful way

Question 37

What are the 4 methods of retention?

Answer 37

Recall Retrieval Relearning Reconstruction

Question 38

What is recall?

Answer 38

Reproduction of information with a minimal amount of cues

Question 39

What are the 3 levels of recall?

Answer 39

Free recall Cued recall Serial recall

Question 40

What is free recall?

Answer 40

Recalling of info in no particular order with little to no cues

Question 41

What is cued recall?

Answer 41

Various prompts are used to assist in retrieval of information

Question 42

What is serial recall?

Answer 42

Recalling information in the order it was presented

Question 43

What is the easiest form of recall?

Answer 43

Cued recall

Question 44

What is the hardest form of recall?

Answer 44

Serial recall

Question 45

What is recognition?

Answer 45

Identifying the correct information from alternatives e.g. multiple choice questions

Question 46

Which is harder, recognition or recall?

Answer 46

Recall

Question 47

What is relearning

Answer 47

Learning information again to assess how much of it was "saved" since the last time it was visited

Question 48

List the measures of retention from least to most sensitive

Answer 48

Recall = least sensitive (most effort) Recognition Relearning = most sensitive (least effort)

Question 49

What is the Elizabeth Loftus known for?

Answer 49

Her research into leading questions and their manipulation of memories