Memory

Question 1

What is the average short term memory capacity for letters and digits?

Answer 1

Digits = 9.3
Letters = 7.3

Question 2

What is the duration that information stays in the STM and LTM?

Answer 2

Peterson and Peterson researched STM duration with verbal rehearsal is averagely 18 seconds.

After 48 years participants were 70% accurate in face recognition of classmates and 30% accurate for names

Question 3

What did Baddeley say about coding?

Answer 3

Individuals have a difficulty remembering acoustically similar words in STM but not in LTM, and the reverse for semantically similar words.

Question 4

Evaluation on Baddeley’s research on coding.

Answer 4

To test LTM Baddeley only waited 20 minutes before testing, arguments that this is not sufficient enough to test LTM.

Question 5

Describe the multi-store model of memory.

Answer 5

1. Sensory register - large capacity, very short duration (milliseconds)
2. attention transfers information from sensory register to STM
3. STM - limited capacity (5 items/chucks) so information decays, limited duration (a few minutes) unless rehearsed
4. Maintenance rehearsal eventually creates a LTM
5. LTM - potentially unlimited capacity and duration, forgetting may be due to lack of accessibility.
6. Retrieval from LTM goes through STM

Question 6

Draw a sketch of the multi-store model of memory.

Answer 6

look in textbook for image.

Question 7

Describe the working memory model.

Answer 7

Baddeley and Hitch (1974)

1. Central Executive - monitors and coordinates all other mental functions in working memory, keeps an eye on everything that is going on and deals with the tasks that require attention.
2. Phonological Loop - codes speech sounds in working memory typically involving maintenance rehearsal (hence referred to as a ‘loop’)
3. Visuo-spatial Sketchpad - codes visual information in terms of separate objects and the arrangement of these objects.
4. Episodic Buffer - integrates information from all other parts of working memory, records events (episodes) then sending information to LTM.

Question 8

Draw a sketch of the working memory model of memory.

Answer 8

look in textbook for image.

Question 9

What are the 3 types of long-term memory?

Answer 9

1. Episodic memory - personal memories of events such as what you did yesterday or a teacher you liked, includes contextual details plus emotions.
2. Semantic memory - shared memories for facts and knowledge e.g. mathematical knowledge.
3. Procedural memory - memory for how to do things e.g. riding a bike or tying shoelaces, these memories are automatic as the result of repeated practice.

Question 10

Give an example of each type of long-term memory regarding A-levels.

Answer 10

Episodic:
‘I remember revising for my A-levels - I was not happy!’

Semantic:
‘I know many theories and studies in psychology’

Procedural:
‘in an exam you have to write longhand, but I know how to type much faster on a computer’

Question 11

What is proactive and retroactive interference?

Answer 11

PI - past learning interferes with current attempts to learn something.
RI - current attempts to learn something interfere with past learning.