Models of memory, tulving, reconstructive, dementia

Question 1

what are three key processes of memory

Answer 1

1. Encoding: transforming sensory into a form that can be stored
2. Storage: maintaining the encoded info over time
3. Retrieval: accessing the stored info when needed

Question 2

Multistore Model of Memory
Atkinson and Shiffrin 1968

Answer 2

MSM consists of 3 seperate stores
1. Sensory Register- takes in infomation through senses (sights, sounds). Huge capacity but brief duration, holds info for very short time (miliseconds). If you pay attention moves to short term memory but otherwise its forgotten
2. Short Term Memory- Holds abt 7ish (5-9) chunks of info, duration 15-30 seconds. Rehearsal necessary to move to LTM
3. Long Term Memory- Potencially unlimited storage, lifelong duration. Info is retrived when needed however can decay/distorted over time

Question 3

Anecdote to remember MSM (bakery)

Answer 3

Walk into bakery, smell of bread hits your nose (Sensory Register). If you ignore it, you forget it. If you focus on it, you remember it for a while (STM 15-30 secs). If you keep thinking abt it (rehearsal) and tell someone abt it later, moves to your LTM and you might recall it years later

Question 4

Explain Working Memory Model by Baddeley and Hitch 1974!! And how does it add to MSM

Answer 4

Explains how our short term memory is not just a passive storage space but an active processing system that handles multiple tasks at once.
1. Central Executive ‘the boss’
Controls and directs attention to different tasks, decides what gets sent to different ‘slave systems’, limited capacity, cant focus on too many things at once
2. Phonological Loop ‘Inner Voice and Inner Ear’
(handles sound and space based info)
Phonological store: stores words you hear for short time
Articulatory Control Process (inner voice): repeats words in a loop
3. Visuo-Spatial Sketchpad ‘Inner Eye’
Stores Visual and spatial info (imagining a map, or face)
4. Episodic Buffer ‘The Glue’
Integrates info from all components and sends it to long term memory. Helps process stories, events, multitasking

Question 4

whats the key difference between working memory model and multistore model?

Answer 4

WMM: Suggests that short-term memory (STM) is not a single store but consists of multiple components that work together to handle different types of information.

MSM: Proposes that STM is a single, unitary store where all information is processed in the same way.

Question 5

What did Tulving suggest (1972)

Answer 5

Tulving suggested a distinction between LTM
EPISODIC MEMORY: memory of personal experiences, linked to time and context (recalling a holiday)
SEMANTIC MEMORY: Generic knowledge, independent of personal experience (knows capital of France is Paris)
[episodic memory can transform into semantic memories over time, unlike memory, episodic memory is more susceptible to distortion]

Question 7

Reconstructive Memory (Bartlett 1932)

Answer 7

-memory not perfect recording but influenced by prior knowledge and experiences, known as schemas. Mental frameworks shape how we encode, store, and retrieve info
>memory is reconstructive, meaning it can be altered each time we recall an event
>schemas can lead to distortions, unconsciously fill gaps based on prior experience
> Bartletts research, including ‘war on ghosts’ study, demonstrated how memory is influenced by cultural expectations and personal beliefs

—-> explains eyewitness testimony inaccuracies, as memories can be altered by leading questions and expectations

Question 8

Name three factors that affect memory

Answer 8

1. Brain Damage
   Cases like HM and Clive wearing show how damage to the hippocampus affect memory, particularly episodic memory while procedural memory remain intact
2. Schemas and Experience
   Each persons schemes are shaped by unique experiences, leading to differences in memory recall
3. Age Related Differences: memory capabilities evolve over time; younger individuals may encode new information more efficiently while older adults might rely more on semantic memory

Question 9

Explain Alzheimer’s disease and memory

Answer 9

Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia, common in <65. Primarily affects memory and cognitive functions, progressing over time
-Early stages: difficulty acquiring new memories and recalling recent facts due to hippocampal damage.
-Progression: Episodic memory deteriorates first followed by deteriorates first, followed by semantic memory.
Patients may initially distinguish categories eg dog vs cat but later call all generalise and call all animals ‘animal’
-Procedua memory remains intact longer as t relies on cerebellum (riding bike)
- Working memory weakens as central executive weakens, making complex tasks harder to coordinate
Advanced stage: all memory function, reading , attention, and language abilities become disrupted