Memory Flashcards
What is the Law of Equipotentiality?
The Law of Equipotentiality states that all parts of the cortex contribute equally to learning and memory, and there is no specific memory spot in the brain.
What is the Law of Mass Action?
The Law of Mass Action suggests that learning and memory are distributed throughout the cortex as a whole, and the more cortex you have, the better your memory will be.
What is working memory?
Working memory is the system used to hold and manipulate information as it flows in and out, involving the central executive and other components like the phonological loop and visuospatial sketchpad.
What is the central executive in working memory?
The central executive is the controller of working memory, responsible for directing attention and managing tasks while holding goals in mind.
What is the episodic buffer in working memory?
The episodic buffer is responsible for storing events (with a beginning, middle, and end) and can retain information for longer than the other two components.
What is the phonological loop in working memory?
The phonological loop is responsible for language storage and is sensitive to tones and language-based information, retaining it for about 18-20 seconds.
What is the visuospatial sketchpad in working memory?
The visuospatial sketchpad stores visual information, similar to the phonological loop’s function for language, with a limited capacity for about 4 things.
What is declarative memory?
Declarative memory, also known as explicit memory, includes semantic memory (general knowledge) and episodic memory (personal events).
What is semantic memory?
Semantic memory is the memory of facts and general knowledge, such as where you lived when you were ten years old.
What is episodic memory?
Episodic memory is the memory of specific events and experiences, always related to you personally and often autobiographical in nature.
What is nondeclarative memory (implicit memory)?
Nondeclarative or implicit memory includes procedural memory (skills), motor sequences, and conditioned responses that are not consciously accessible.
What is procedural memory?
Procedural memory involves the memory for motor skills and habits, such as riding a bike or playing the piano.
What is the difference between short-term and long-term memory?
Short-term memory holds a small amount of information for a brief time, while long-term memory can store vast amounts of information for extended periods.
What happens in the case of memory loss after damage to the hippocampus?
Damage to the hippocampus impairs the ability to form new long-term declarative memories (especially episodic memories) but leaves implicit memory and short-term memory intact.
What is the role of the hippocampus in memory?
The hippocampus is critical for forming new episodic memories and for navigating and monitoring memories of locations and events.
What is an engram?
An engram is the physical representation of what has been learned in the brain.
What is the difference between semantic and episodic memory?
Semantic memory refers to factual knowledge, while episodic memory refers to personal, autobiographical events and experiences.
What are “flashbulb memories”?
Flashbulb memories are vivid, detailed memories that form strongly due to emotional arousal, often triggered by events with significant emotional impact.
What is the delayed response task?
A delayed response task involves responding to something that was seen or heard a short time ago, testing short-term memory and working memory.
How does memory consolidation work?
Memory consolidation strengthens memories, and it can happen rapidly, slowly, or not at all, depending on the nature of the memory and the brain regions involved.
What is the role of the striatum in memory?
The striatum, part of the basal ganglia, is important for forming habits, probabilistic learning, and orienting behaviors in relation to the body.
How does Alzheimer’s disease affect memory?
Alzheimer’s disease impairs memory and attention, with early-onset linked to the APOE4 gene and late-onset related to multiple genetic and environmental factors.
What is infant amnesia?
Infant amnesia refers to the loss of most early memories, often due to an immature hippocampus and rapid new learning that displaces older memories.
What is semantic dementia?
Semantic dementia is a disorder characterized by the loss of semantic memory, where individuals lose understanding of the meaning of words and objects.
