Psych Chapter 7: Memory (Part One)

Question 1

Definition of memory

Answer 1

Ability to use past info to solve current and future problems.

Question 2

What are the stages that our nervous system takes when it comes to memory?

Answer 2

Stage 1: Encoding is the initial process of turning experiences, thoughts, and feelings, into memories. Stage 2: Storage which is the process of maintaining memories over time. Stage 3: Retrieving which is recalling the info.

Question 3

What is sensory memory (iconic)?

Answer 3

Very brief storage system for sensory info.

Question 4

What is short-term memory (STM) and how much does it contain?

Answer 4

It is a temporary storage system which holds about 7+/-2 items.

Question 5

What is chunking?

Answer 5

It is grouping pieces of info into larger and more meaningful clusters.

Question 6

What is maintenance rehearsal?

Answer 6

Repeating the information.

Question 7

What is elaborative rehearsal and what is its purpose?

Answer 7

It is adding meaning or connecting the info to other things you know. The purpose is to transfer the info into your long-term memory.

Question 8

What are the factors of long-term memory?

Answer 8

It has an indefinite duration, there is no known capacity limit, and the more you rehearse the more likely you will transfer info to your LTM.

Question 9

What are the levels of processing?

Answer 9

Shallow: Memory based on the physical features. Intermediate: Memory based on the acoustical (sound, rhyme) features. Deep: Based on the meaning of the work as well as connecting it to yourself and other things you learn.

Question 10

Why did researchers change short-term memory into working memory?

Answer 10

STM was initially thought of as just a storage system but its both a storage and an active processing system.

Question 11

What is a visual store?

Answer 11

Visual and spatial info live there.

Question 12

What is a verbal store?

Answer 12

Handles verbal and auditory info.

Question 13

What is an episodic buffer?

Answer 13

A store of long-term memories that interacts with working memory.

Question 14

What is central executive?

Answer 14

It coordinates all of these components and links them with attention.

Question 15

What is the serial position effect?

Answer 15

It means the first few words are remembered well and the last few words are remembered well but not the words inbetween.

Question 16

What is declarative memory and what types are there?

Answer 16

Declarative memory is consciously accessible and knowledge that can be verbalized. There is semantic memory which is the memory of facts and knowledge. There is also memory of events and “episodes” in your personal life.

Question 17

What is non-declarative memory and what types are there?

Answer 17

Info that is retained and retrieved without conscious effort. One is procedural memory which is the memory of how to perform an action or skill. The second is classical conditioning. The third is priming which is a change in a person’s behavior or cognition due to exposure to a stimulus.

Question 18

What is a retrieval cue?

Answer 18

Any “cue” that triggers a memory.