memory input dis shi Flashcards
(39 cards)
What is meant by coding in memory and how do STM and LTM differ in this?
refers to the format in which information is stored. STM is coded acoustically, while LTM is coded semantically.
Study: Baddeley (1966) – More errors with acoustically similar words in STM recall, and semantically similar words in LTM recall after 20 minutes.
baddeleys study
Baddeley (1966) conducted an experiment to examine the coding of STM and LTM. ppts were shown lists of words that were either acoustically similar, acoustically dissimilar, semantically similar, or semantically dissimilar.
He found that ppts had more difficulty recalling acoustically similar words immediately (STM), suggesting STM is coded acoustically, and semantically similar words after 20 mins (LTM), suggesting LTM is coded semantically.
what does baddeleys study show
when words sound too similar STM has a hard time distinguishing between these sounds.It prefers words that sound different to one another which supports the claim STM uses acoustic encoding.When words have as similar meaning, the LTM has difficulty differentiating between them and so gets confused.This is why LTM prefers to code semantically
What is the capacity of STM and LTM, and which studies support this?
A: Capacity is the amount of information a store can hold.
STM: 7 ± 2 items (Miller, via the idea of chunking)
LTM: Potentially unlimited
Studies:
Miller (1956) – chunking helps recall ~7 items
Jacobs (1887) – average span: 7.3 letters, 9.3 digits
miller study
Jacob study
Miller (1956) suggested that the capacity of STM is about 7 ± 2 items. He observed that people often remember things in groups or “chunks,” like 7 days in a week. He concluded that we are predisposed to process information in groups, and chunking helps us increase the amount of info held in STM.
Jacobs (1887) tested STM capacity by asking participants to recall increasing strings of digits or letters. He found that participants could recall on average 9.3 digits and 7.3 letters, suggesting a limited capacity in STM.
However, as it was conducted in the 19th century, it may lack scientific rigour by modern standards (e.g. control, standardisation), limiting reliability.
both proved its 5-9 items(7+-) and that capacity in stm is fairly limited
however chunking info can help.
What is the duration of STM and LTM, and which studies support this?
A: the length of time information can be stored in each memory store.
STM: 18–30 seconds
Petersen et al. (1959)
LTM: Potentially lifelong
Bahrick et al. (1975)
Petersen
bahrick
stm-Peterson & Peterson (1959) tested 24 undergraduates by asking them to recall trigrams (e.g., YCG) after intervals. During intervalS, ppts had to count backwards(INTERFERENCE TASK) to prevent rehearsal.
They found that recall dropped significantly after just 18s, suggesting STM has a limited duration of about 18–30 seconds without rehearsal.
ltm-Bahrick et al. (1975) studied 392 American ppts aged 17–74 on their memory for high school classmates. Participants were tested via photo recognition and free recall.
Photo recognition was 90% accurate within 15 years of graduation but dropped to 70% after 48 years, showing that LTM can last a very long time, possibly a lifetime.
Strengths & Weaknesses of Memory Research Studies
— A key issue w historical psychological research, particularly Jacobs, is lack of standardisation and appreciation of scientific methods. For eg, the current lab experiment methodology produces highly reliable n valid data through controlling and removing EV’S and confounding variables. unlike jacobs where confounding variables such as a noisy room or difficult word lists, may have had a greater influence on accuracy of recall, leading to unreliable results.
+ A strength of Bahrick et al’s 1975 study is use of meaningful stimuli, and a methodology which is high in mundane realism. This suggests that the findings have high ecological validity because they can be easily generalised to real-life, due to the stimuli reflecting those which we would often try to learn and recall in our day to day lives: info w meaningful value!
— key issues with the Petersen et al n Miller et al studies is that they feature methods w low mundane realism, thus producing findings w little ecological validity. due to the use of artificial stimuli which has lil personal meaning to the ppts, and so does not acc reflect everyday learning experiences. limiting the generalisability of such findings.
— recent research has suggested that Miller may have over-exaggerated the capacity of STM, and that capacity is more similar to 4 chunks as opposed to the original 5-9. This may reflect the outdated methodologies adopted by Miller and, the lack of control over confounding variables which may have contributed to this inaccurate estimate.
2 types of memory ltm is divided into
declarative memory-“knowing that”conscious memory that helps us declare facts.subdivided into episodic n semantic
procedural-“knowing how”helps us recall procedures such as how to tie our shoelaces, cycle or swim.
episodic memory
memories such as our thoughts n experiences + our personal recollection of them. usually based on events that occur in peoples lives but over time they move over to semantic memory as the event’s association diminishes and the memory becomes “knowledge” based.
The strength of these mems is determined by emotions present at the time the memory’s being coded. Traumatic life events may be recalled better cuh of the strong emotional attachment they have and episodic mems helps us distinguish between our imagination n real events.
The pre-frontal cortex involved in initial encoding of episodic mems + consolidation and storage associated with neocortex.
semantic memory
contains the knowledge,concepts and meanings individuals learnt e.g. the capital of France is Paris. It may also relate to how certain objects work, appropriate behaviour in situations or abstract concepts such as language or mathematics.
Semantic memory is often stronger when deeper processing involved n typically lasts longer than episodic memory.
It’s closely linked to episodic LTM, as semantic memories often develop from experiences.
Over time, episodic mems can shift into semantic as the personal context fades and the info becomes general knowledge.
Semantic mems is mainly coded in the frontal and temporal lobes.
There’s debate over whether the hippocampus is involved, or if multiple brain areas are responsible.
procedural memory
skill-based memory - focused on recalling how to do something ,it doesnt require conscious thought. Often learnt through repetition and practice.
Language is an eg as it helps ppl speak using the correct grammar and syntax without having to consciously give this thought.
Procedural LTM linked to the neocortex areas within the primary motor cortex, cerebellum N prefrontal cortex. Unlike declarative memory, not rely on the hippocampus to function.
strengths of ltm evaluation
+ Case study of HM gives strong evidence for different LTM types.
(Milner, 1962), - damage to the hippocampus and temporal lobes, no longer form episodic + semantic memories, but could still acquire procedural skills, such as mirror drawing. suggests declarative memory (E+S) and non-declarative memory (P) rely on diff brain systems. Although HM learned new skills, he had no memory of learning them, showing a clear divide between “knowing how” and “knowing that.”This supports idea that E,S+ P mems are separate.
Brain imaging research provides strong support ltm consists of separate stores, linked to distinct brain regions.
Studies w brain scans have shown episodic memory activates hippocampus + frontal lobes, while semantic memory linked to activity in temporal lobe, + procedural memory involves cerebellum and motor cortex. Additionally, Petersen et al. found semantic memories are recalled from left prefrontal cortex, while episodic memories come from right prefrontal cortex.
These neurological findings show diff types of LTM aren’t only functionally distinct but also biologically separate, relying on specific brain regions.
;;;strengthens the argument for separate LTM stores, showing its supported by objective, evidence from neuroimaging.
further Case studies provide strong evidence for the idea that LTM’s divided into distinct systems.
In the case of CL (Vicari et al), a young girl who suffered brain damage after tumour removal showed an inability to form new E memories, but her S memory remained unaffected. Similarly, Clive Wearing lost ability to form or retrieve E memories, yet his P memory (e.g. playing piano) and S memory (e.g. understanding music) were intact.
These cases suggest that diff types of memory rely on different brain systems, and that damage to 1 type doesn’t necessarily impair others. supports the view that E,S+P are diff and functionally separate.
;;, evidence from real-life brain damage cases strengthens the argument for multiple LTM stores, in line with Tulving’s theory.
weaknesses of types of ltm
A – of using case studies like HM is lack of generalisability.
HM was a unique individual w severe brain damage, n findings from his case may not apply to others.
Differences in memory loss / retention may be unique to his brain structure + recovery process, making it hard to generalise results to the wider population.
;;;although insightful, case studies must be interpreted cautiously when used as evidence for LTM theories.
Not all psychologists agree with Tulving’s classification of LTM.
Cohen and Squire proposed a 2-part system: declarative memory and non-declarative memory
This suggests that Tulving’s model may oversimplify or misclassify how memory functions, highlighting that LTM is complex and open to interpretation.
;;; while Tulving’s theory is influential, it may not be the only valid explanation of how LTM is structured.
What are the components of Atkinson & Shiffrin’s Multi-Store Model (1968)?
Sensory Register: receives sensory input
(STM): temporary store via attention
(LTM): permanent store via rehearsal
Each differs in coding, capacity, n duration.model proposes that memories are formed sequently and information passes from 1 component to the next, in a linear fashion.
What are the characteristics of the sensory register?
What are the characteristics of the sensory register?
Capacity: Very large has to contain all sense impressions. But only what is paid attention to is passed to STM
Duration: Very short info not retained for long.
Coding:depends on sense organ info comes from so it’s modality specific.
Info passes to STM only if attention is paid.
what is ltm and stm
Info stored may last permanently and info from STM comes via rehearsal and to use info in ltm it needs to be passed back to STM via retrieval.
It receives info from sensory register by paying attention. STM passes info to LTM through rehearsal(through maintenance rehearsal or elaborating) info is passed back through retrieval
how does msm work
it constantly gets info in the SR but ,most gets no attention and it stays in SM for a short period.If attention is focused it goes into STM.Info held in STM is fragile so it w decay quickly if it isn’t rehearsed(maintenance or rehearsal).If rehearsed enough it will go into ltm.
how can the glazer and cunitz effect be applied to msm?
Glanzer and Cunitz gave participants a list of words to recall.They found that participants appeared to be better at recalling words from start and end. end words were easier because they are stored in sim and therefore more easily recalled.start would’ve been rehearsed and put into LTM and middle isn’t rehearsed enough.
evaluate multistore model of memory
The MSM assumes (STM) is a unitary store - challenged by evidence from brain-damaged patients.
Shallice and Warrington’s case study of patient KF found he had poor STM recall for auditory info but normal recall for visual stimuli.
suggests STM has separate components for diff types of information (e.g., verbal vs. visual), contradicting the MSM’s view of STM as a single store.;;; MSM oversimplifies STM’s structure, indicating that memory models need to account for multiple short-term stores rather than just one.
Research supports that (STM) and (LTM) are separate stores.
Glanzer et al’s study demonstrated the primacy + recency effects, showing early words are stored in LTM and later words in STM. Brain imaging studies also reveal diff brain areas active during STM + LTM tasks—such as the prefrontal cortex for STM and the hippocampus for LTM. findings support the model’s claim that STM and LTM are distinct stores, each w unique neural bases. Additionally, the model’s predictions can be experimentally tested through such behavioral and neurological research.
;;; this evidence strengthens the MSM’s validity by confirming distinct functioning of STM and LTM.
MSM accurately shows the qualitative diff between STM + LTM by treating them as separate stores.
for eg, research by Baddeley + Miller found STM is mainly encoded acoustically, while LTM is encoded semantically and lasts much longer.
This shows MSM correctly reflects how info is processed + stored diff in each memory store.;;; the MSM provides a valid framework for understanding the key differences between STM and LTM, supporting its credibility as a memory model.
The (MSM) claims amount of maintenance rehearsal determines whether info transfers from (STM) to (LTM).However, Craik and Watkins challenged this, arguing type of rehearsal is more important than amount. suggested elaborative rehearsal, which links new info to existing knowledge, is necessary for effective transfer to LTM—not just repeated maintenance rehearsal.
TMT MSM oversimplifies the rehearsal process by ignoring how deeply info is processed before storage, so it does not fully explain how memories are formed.;;;, this criticism highlights a key weakness of the MSM, showing that memory transfer is more complex than the model originally proposed.
what is the working memory model
The WMM suggests that STM is an active processor is made up of the central executive, the phonological loop, the visuo-spatial sketchpad and the episodic buffer.
what’s the central executive
main component n coordinates the other “slave systems” n ensures they don’t go astray. slave systems (phonological loop, visuospatial sketchpad and episodic buffer) can also be used as temporary storage systems to free up capacity within CE to deal w other demanding tasks. Capacity for CE = very limited n it receives information from the senses or from LTM. It is also involved in directing “attention” and resources towards particular tasks.
phonological loop
processes speech-based info preserving its order within the phonological store which acts like an “inner ear”. The articulatory control process (inner voice) is linked to speech production and used to rehearse n store verbal info from phonological store through a form of maintenance rehearsal. this has limited capacity determined by amount of info which can be spoken out loud in 2 seconds. Confusions often occur w similar sounding words as its an acoustic store.
vss
processes visual info through the senses (eyes) or LTM on what things look like, patterns of recognition n spacial info consisting of the relationship between things and perception of movement. Logie (1995) suggested VSS could be further sub-divided into a visual cache (CV) which stores visual material on colour n form and an inner-scribe (IS) which deals with spatial relationships, rehearsal and the transfer of information from the visual cache to the central executive. baddelly said capacity is 4-5 chunks