What is memory?
ability to encode information and retrieve it when needed
What is the biggest fear of adults over 65?
loss of memory
Memory deficits can be due to inefficiencies
o Effective encoding
o Effective retrieval
Why is effortful processing important?
Results in deep vs shallow processing
Explain the study by Criak & Lockheart in relation to effortful processing
Respond as quickly as they can
o Is this upper case or lower case (worst recall)
o Do these two words rhyme? (middle)
o Does this word fit into the sentence? (best recall)
- They argued that the level/depth of processing will determine the strength of the memory test
How do older adults fair in event-based vs. time-based
Do well in event based: when you see john, tell him about the tickets
VS
Not so good in time-based prospective: remember to call home at 3pm
Why did Craik & McDowd think that older adults were performing similarly to younger adults in recognition but not recall? What are they relying on?
- Recognition offers some contextual information that recall does not include needed by older adults
- When there are cues at test and recall older adults are performing just as well as younger adults
- Therefore, older adults rely on context and environmental cues to support their memory
What is sensory memory>
gate keeper of sensory information. Retain that information for half a second to 3 seconds. Argued that there is no capacity.
What is required for sensory memory?
Attention is required to select the information that is important and put it into short term memory.
What is the length of STM?
Lasts about 10-15 seconds unless its being rehearsed.
STM and LTM interact in 2 ways…
- If items in STM are rehearsed it will be stormed to LTM.
- When you encounter new information, you use the memory already in LTM to perceive the new information. LTM helps us guide our attention
All incoming information is processed in the…
sensory store
What studies suggest that sensory losses account for declines in cognitive performance?
Degraded stimuli to try to turn young into old
Measured what those effects would be on memory
When young people only have degraded stimuli, they remember as much as the adults
What are the 2 components of the Short Term Store?
Primary and working memory?
Working memory is related to what type of intelligence?
Gf
Give examples of Primary memory
Since it is passive storage,
a. Ex: passively storing the words coming out of his mouth
b. Ex: remember the sequence of squares highlighted
Give an example of Working memory
Since it is active processing
a. Allows you play with the sentence, analyze it. When you remember the start of a sentence so the end makes sense
What is the goal of the operation span task?
remember the word and do math
Do PM and WM change with age?
- Decline in WM with age
- Relative stability and little decline in PM
- The older the cohort, the larger the decline in WM
What is semantic memory?
- Used for everyday facts and info
Semantic memory is well preserved except for…
the tip of the tongue phenomenon
semantic memory relies on the
perihippocampal cortex
What is episodic memory?
- Remembering autobiographical events
- Involves memory of the context, emotions, who, what , where, and when
episodic memory declines with
age
