PSYCH U3 AOS2 - MEMORY Flashcards
define memory
Memory is an active information processing system that encodes, stores and recovers information when required.
Memory is a collection of complex interconnected systems that are not an exact replica of the world at the time they are recovered for use.
what are the three parts of making a memory?
Encoding: conversion of information into a usable form so that it can be neurologically represented (‘placed’) and stored in memory
Storage: retention of the encoded information over time
Retrieval: recovery of stored information for use when needed
what is the atkinson shiffrin model of memory?
Atkinson–Shiffrin multi-store model of memory: represents memory as consisting of three separate stores called sensory memory, short-term memory and long-term memory. Each store processes information in different ways and also differs in terms of its function (purpose/roles), capacity (the amount of information it can hold) and duration (the length of time it can hold information).
how is info transferred from SM to STM?
Sensory memory is the entry point for new information.
If we pay attention to any of the information in sensory memory, it is transferred to short-term memory.
Information received in short-term memory is processed (encoded) and stored for up to about 18–20 seconds
how is info transferred from STM to LTM?
The transfer of info from STM involves a further level of processing (encoding) for storage in long-term memory.
Information is transferred from short term memory to long term memory through encoding and elaborative rehearsal. New information is linked to information already stored in long term memory to assist with its storage and retrieval.
what is the role of the cerebral cortex in memory formation and storage?
Storage of all explicit (semantic and episodic) memories and implicit procedural memories after being temporarily stored in the cerebellum
Semantic memories tend to be stored throughout the cortex, most likely in both of the frontal and temporal lobes.
Episodic memories tend to also be stored throughout the cortex, perhaps especially in the right frontal lobe (particularly the prefrontal cortex just behind the forehead) and the right temporal lobe.
what is the role of the hippocampus in memory formation and storage?
The hippocampus turns STM into LTM, it is crucial in the consolidation of new explicit semantic and episodic memories (memories this statement). Transfers new memories to relevant parts of the cerebral cortex.
It also has an important role in spatial memory, which is an explicit memory for the physical location of objects in space. It is like our internal GPS allowing us to navigate from place to place and remember locations. Believed to be involved in the retrieval of spatial memories
what is the role of the amygdala in memory formation and storage?
The amygdala is crucial to the formation of implicit memories involving classically conditioned fear responses (emotional memories)
Through its role in signalling the hippocampus to encode and ensure long-term storage of the relevant emotional details during the memory consolidation process, the amygdala also contributes to the formation of explicit memories. This is apparent in a specific type of episodic memory known as a flashbulb memory.
what is the role of the cerebellum in the formation and storage of memories?
Directly involved in the encoding and temporary storage of implicit procedural memories for these and numerous other motor skills. It is crucial for motor learning and the execution of voluntary movements, but NOT their long-term storage because well-learned motor responses are believed to be stored in the cerebral cortex like many other types of memories.
It does form & stores implicit memories of simple reflexes acquired through classical conditioning
what is recall
Recall involves reproducing information stored in memory (provides evidence that something learned was retained).
It is the least effective method of demonstrating the existence of information in the LTM. least sensitive retrieval method
what is recognition?
involves identifying (‘recognizing’) the original, learnt information (often from a list of alternatives - think MCQ’s).
This is easier because there are retrieval cues that serve as prompts or reminders.
It is therefore more effective than recall at demonstrating the presence of information in the LTM, as it provides retrieval cues.
2nd most sensitive method
what is relearning?
learning information again that has been previously learned and therefore stored in long-term memory; also called savings
If learnt more quickly the second time, it is assumed that some info must have been retained (‘saved’) from the first learning experience, whether the individual realises it or not.
Savings Score: amount of time saved when an information is relearnt (expressed as a percentage)
It is more effective than recall and recognition at demonstrating the existence of information in LTM
what is the savings score formula?
time for og learning - time for relearning
—————————————– x 100
time for og learning
OR
no. of original trials - no. of relearning trials
——————————————- x 100
no. of relearning trials
what is reconstruction?
Memory reconstruction generally involves combining stored information with other available information to form what is believed to be a more coherent or complete memory.
What is retrieved is not always a perfect reproduction of what happened at the time of encoding.
During reconstruction, if the memory has gaps or is not clear, we tend to add information that helps ensure the retrieved memory is complete and ‘makes sense’.
- original long term memory of the event exists
- new info introduced through other events or sources
- this new information is integrated with the origianl memory and reconsolidated into long term memory
- resulting in retrieval of a reconstructed version of the original memory, showing that memory is fallible and canbe potentially inaccurate.
how can errors occur in reconstruction?
When we form a LTM, we actively encode and organise the elements and details of the experience throughout different areas of the brain.
When we attempt to access the memory, we do not retrieve a simple ‘readout’ of the entire memory, but rather the encoded elements and actively reconstruct the memory. In doing so, various factors can cause errors and distortions.
With repeated retrieval, the memory is subject to further distortion and it becomes harder to distinguish the details of what actually happened in the original encodings from what was added later.
define brain trauma?
Brain trauma is an ‘umbrella’ term that refers to a brain injury that is acquired after birth and impairs the normal functioning of the brain. The effect can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.
External (car or sporting accident, assault to the head, brain surgery etc.)
Internal (tumours, infections, chronic alcoholism or neurological diseases such as Alzherimer’s)
define neurodegenerative disease?
A neurodegenerative disease is a disorder characterised by the progressive decline in the structure, activity and function of brain tissue. Essentially, neurons within the brain tissue gradually become damaged or deteriorate (‘degenerate’) and lose their function.
effect of surgical removal/damage on hippocampus?
Inability to form and retrieve new long-term explicit memories.
People with damage to the hippocampus will be able to carry out procedural skills because this is implicit memory. However, they will not remember that they have done it because the memory of the event is an explicit memory.
Surgical removal of hippocampus has little to no effect on STM encoding, function, or storage
effect of surgical removal/damage on amygdala?
Trouble forming and retrieving implicit, emotional memories (i.e. fear responses).
no effect on STM
effect of surgical removal/damage on cerebral cortex?
Trouble storing and retrieving explicit, semantic and episodic long-term memories
may impair transfer of information into and out of STM