Models for explaining memory

Question 1

Memory

Answer 1

The process of encoding, storing and retrieving information

Question 2

What are the 3 processes of memory?

Answer 2

Encoding, storage, and retrieval

Question 3

What is the process of encoding?

Answer 3

The process of converting information into a form that can be used and stored by the brain.

It may be automatic or require effortful processing

Question 4

What is the process of storage?

Answer 4

Retention of encoded information for various lengths of time.

Via associations between neural networks

Question 5

What is the process of retrieval?

Answer 5

Recovery of information stored in brain.

If memory cannot be retrieved, it can not be shown to exist

Question 6

What are the 3 characteristics of memory?

Answer 6

Duration, capacity, and encoding

Question 7

Duration

Answer 7

The length of time information can be stored/held for

Question 8

Capacity

Answer 8

The amount of information that can be stored/held

Question 9

Encoding

Answer 9

The form information is stored in (visual/acoustic/semantic)

Question 10

Sensory memory

Answer 10

Briefly holds incoming sensory information

Different subsystems: sensory registers (for each sense)

Question 11

What is the duration of sensory memory?

Answer 11

0.5 to 3 seconds

Question 12

What is the capacity of sensory memory?

Answer 12

Unlimited - but generally referred to as 3 to 7 units

Question 13

Sensory memory register

Answer 13

Rapid encoding based on physical properties of sense/stimuli (environmental input)

Stores incoming sensory information receptors

Question 14

What is the short-term memory?

Answer 14

A component of memory where information is retained for a brief amount of time, then some is encoded and transferred into LTM

Question 15

What is the duration of short-term memory?

Answer 15

0-30 seconds

Question 16

What is the capacity of short-term memory?

Answer 16

Generally 7 + or - 2 items therefore 5-9 items

Question 17

What is the encoding of short-term memory?

Answer 17

Acoustic/auditory, visual, or semantic

Question 18

What is long-term memory?

Answer 18

A relatively permanent store of information - over an extended period of time

Question 19

What is the duration of long term memory?

Answer 19

Greater than 30 seconds

Question 20

What is the capacity of long-term memory?

Answer 20

Unlimited

Question 21

What is the encoding of long-term memory?

Answer 21

Primarily semantic, although it can be represented visually/acoustically

Question 22

What are the strengths of the multi-store model of memory?

Answer 22

Many memory studies provide evidence to support the distinction between STM and LTM (in terms of encoding, duration, capacity)

The model can account for primary and recency effects

Question 23

What are the weaknesses of the multi-store model of memory?

Answer 23

Model is oversimplified

It’s criticised for being a passive one-way model

Question 24

Who proposed the Working Memory Model?

Answer 24

Baddeley and Hitch (1974)

Question 25

What is the Working Memory Model?

Answer 25

It describes short-term memory as a system with multiple components

Question 26

What 4 components are involved in the Working Memory Model?

Answer 26

The central executive, the phonological loop, the visuospatial sketchpad, and the episodic buffer

Question 27

What is the central executive?

Answer 27

It's responsible for controlled processing in working memory It directs attention to relevant information, suppresses irrelevant information, and coordinates slave systems *limited capacity, modality free (coding)*

Question 28

What is the phonological loop?

Answer 28

A slave system that processes auditory information and preserves the order in which information arrives It stores and processes the sounds of language *2 seconds worth of information, acoustic coding*

Question 29

What is the visuo-spatial sketchpad?

Answer 29

The visuo-spatial sketchpad is a slave system that processes visual and spatial information it manipulates and processes information, represents mental maps *limited capacity, visual coding*

Question 30

What is the episodic buffer?

Answer 30

The episodic buffer is a **slave system** that integrates information from several sources to form a unified memory/**complete representation** of an event - known as an episode *limited capacity storage system, modality free

Question 31

What are the two sub-types of long-term memory?

Answer 31

Procedural and Declarative

Question 32

What is procedural memory?

Answer 32

A type of long-term memory to store the way you do things - motor skills Also known as implicit memory - it's not a conscious retrieval process

Question 33

What is declarative memory?

Answer 33

A type of long-term memory that stores and retrieves both **personal** information and **general knowledge** It's also known as *explicit memory* - it requires conscious effort for retrieval

Question 34

What are the two sub-types of declarative memory?

Answer 34

Episodic and Semantic

Question 35

What is episodic memory?

Answer 35

The memory for past personal events - linked to emotions, sensations and a particular time

Question 36

What is semantic memory?

Answer 36

The memory for facts and information that enables us to construct meaning - based on understanding and interpretation