Memory - 2

Question 1

Processing

Answer 1

the operations we perform on sensory information in the brain

Question 2

input

Answer 2

for human memory, this refers to the sensory information we receive from our environemnt

Question 3

storage

Answer 3

the retention of information in our memory system

Question 4

encoding

Answer 4

turning sensory information into a form that can be used and stored by the brain

Question 5

output

Answer 5

information we recall or a behavioural response

Question 6

retrieval

Answer 6

recall of stored memory

Question 7

Information Input

Answer 7

1. information is inputted through the environment

2. through the 5 senses

Question 8

Encoding information Input

Answer 8

1. brain processes the information it receives from our senses
2. pays attention to the important information and makes decisions based on it - unattended information is lost
3. we unconsciously store some sensory information which requires encoding the sensory input into an electrochemical memory trace that can be stored in the brain
4. once encoded, the memory system can store the memory trace for a few seconds or an entire lifetime - we have no conscious control over how long a memory is stored
5. encoding information can be done through - acoustic, visual, and semantic encoding

Question 9

acoustic encoding

Answer 9

the process of storing sound in our memory system

Question 10

semantic encoding

Answer 10

the process of storing the meaning of information in our memory system, rather than the sound of a word, we store the definition/meaning

Question 11

visual encoding

Answer 11

the process of storing something that is seen in our memory system

Question 12

Duration

Answer 12

The length of time information can be stored in short-term and long-term memory.

Question 13

capacity

Answer 13

The amount of information that can be stored in short-term and long-term memory.

Question 14

2 main Memory stores

Answer 14

short-term and long-term

differentiated by their duration and capacity

Question 15

short-term memory (duration, encoding, capacity, forgetting)

Answer 15

1. Our initial memory store that is temporary and limited.
2. sensory information first enters the short-term memory store - temporary store that lasts for around 18 seconds and holds about 7 items of information
3. encodes information acoustically through repetition of information - rehearsed information can be stored in our short term memory for many minutes and then transferred to the long-term memory
4. forgotten through displacement and decay

Question 16

long-term memory (duration, encoding, capacity, forgetting)

Answer 16

1. last for minutes or up to an entire lifetime
2. A memory store that holds potentially limitless amounts of information for up to a lifetime.
3. Encoding is largely semantic
4. forgotten through decay, interference, and retrieval failure

Question 17

Ways we forget things

Answer 17

1. Displacement
2. Interference
3. Decay
4. Retrieval failure

Question 18

Displacement

Answer 18

1. New incoming information pushes out older information as we exceed the limited capacity of short-term memory

Question 19

Interference

Answer 19

When new information overwrites older information, for example when a new phone number takes the place of an old phone number in your memory.

Question 20

Decay

Answer 20

when a memory is forgotten over time

Question 21

retrieval failure

Answer 21

when a memory is not lost but can’t be recalled e.g. tip of the tongue moment

Question 22

digit span test

Answer 22

1. a test of STM capacity involving the recall of numbers
2. Told a list of numbers than have to repeat it straight after
3. The number of numbers increases each test

Question 23

modality free

Answer 23

a store in the MSMM which is not linked to a specific type of sensory information

Question 24

modal specific

Answer 24

a store of the MSMM which is linked specifically to a type of sense, e.g. iconic