Psychology - memory

Question 1

What does memory involve?

Answer 1

The ability to process, store, retain and recall information.

Question 2

What is the information-processing approach (IP)?

Answer 2

Understands memory as an internal mental process - Input, storage and output.

Question 3

How does the memory process work for the IP approach?

Answer 3

1. Input stage (acquisition stage), such as when we type words on keyboard.
2. Storage stage, such as when we save a file on a computer’s hard drive to use again later.
3. Output stage (retrieval stage), such as when we call up a file from the hard drive and view it on a screen.

Question 4

How can you assist with the retrieval of a particular information?

Answer 4

By using a cue to trigger for the remembrance of the memory.

Question 5

What is the two-store model of memory?

Answer 5

• The short-term memory.
• The long-term memory.

Question 6

How does short term memory become long term memory (process)?

Answer 6

Firstly, you ascertain information which consequently stays in your awareness (STM). Secondly, you start rehearsing said info. Lastly, because pf the prior process, info of which we are not currently conscious of, are still kept in storage for future use.

Question 7

What is the third component of the model of memory that Atkinson and Shiffrin added and what is its function?

Answer 7

The sensory register. It recieves the initial input from the enviroment prior to it being recognised. It only lasts a fractions of a second so, once a stimulus is recognised and open for rehearsal, it is regarded as bein in the STM.

Question 8

What were the emerging ideas regarding memory?

Answer 8

• Other theorists postulated that memory should not only be an internal process.
• Context is now taken very seriously.
• That memory should not only be about accuracy but rather practical importance.

Question 9

What theory did Atikinson and Shiffrin come up with?

Answer 9

Multi-store memory.
They added sensory register to the Two-step model (modal model).

Question 10

Define explicit memory (LTM)?

Answer 10

Refers to the conscious recollection of facts or experiences that have been encountered in the past.

Question 11

What are the three kinds of explicit memory (explain the functions)?

Answer 11

1. Episodic memory: memory where you remember personal experiences from the past (flashback memory).
2. Semantic memory: The memories of general facts that you have encountered in the past (e.g. bank pin).
3. Gist memory: A type of memory where the main points of a story/event are recalled.

Question 12

Define implicit memory (LTM).

Answer 12

Refers to memories that exert an influence on current behaviour, but are not consciously recalled at the time.

Question 13

What is working memory?

Answer 13

It stores information temporarily and is limited in capacity. Also, working memory was also proposed as a cognitive workspace where info could be manipulated and transformed.

Question 14

What three components does working memory consist of and give the functions of the comp.?

Answer 14

1. Central executive - where manipulations occur and which directs the overall memory activity.
2. Phonological loop - Enables the temp. storage of words through rehearsal.
3. visuo-spatial sketchpad - Enables the temp. storage pf mental images.

Question 15

What is the episodic buffer?

Answer 15

The episodic buffer is a component of working memory that integrates information from different sources into a single, coherent episode. It acts as a temporary storage system that combines visual, spatial, and verbal data with long-term memory.

Question 16

Define long-term memory.

Answer 16

Firstly, it is memory that has unlimited capacity that can store information over long periods of time.
Secondly, it is the type of memory that is the most resistant to deterioration.

Question 17

Explain the primary and recency effect.

Answer 17

It is related to the Rey Auditory Verbal test: a test that assesses people’s memories.
The process is, the participant gets read on a list of words, then has to recite back as many names as they can remember (called free recall).
It has shown that people remember the first few names (primary effect) and the last few names (recency effect).

Question 18

Explain why the primary and recency effect occurs.

Answer 18

A person’s immediate memory span ranges only from 5-9 chunks of information (very limited). This means that when they hear the first few names, they are able to rehearse the names over time (primary) and the last few names are so recent that it still in the working memory. This is referred to as a person’s immediate memory span.

Question 19

What is forgetting?

Answer 19

The loss of information after it was stored in the LTM.

Question 20

Who was Herman Ebbinghaus and what did was his theory?

Answer 20

• A researcher that studied memory and came up with the Ebbinghaus forgetting curve.
• Ebbinghaus forgetting curve: Claims that, material that has been learned is rapidly forgotten at first, and the balance is then forgotten at a more gradual pace afterwards.

Question 21

What are the two explanations, according to Ebbinghaus, for individuals to forget?

Answer 21

1. Spontaneous decay: <aterial is lost due to it not being used over time.
2. Interference: Where some other input disrupts these memories.

Question 22

What are the two forms of interference?

Answer 22

1. Proactive interference: It is when previously learned material interferes with the learning of new material.
2. Retroactive interference: It is when new material disrupts older information.

Question 23

Define chunking.

Answer 23

Information is grouped into smaller, manageable units to improve recall and comprehension.

Question 24

Besides chunking, what other technique can you use to increase remembrance?

Answer 24

Adding meaning to the information rather than purely trying to remember it.

Question 25

What are schemas?

Answer 25

It is meaning frameworks, that make up our long-term memory, and that are made up of our past experiences which help structure new information.

Question 26

What is the theory of schemas regarding how it effects a persons memory?

Answer 26

• If what we remember depends on our previous learning, than the type of detail that each person recalls will vary, since no two people share the same learning history.
• Therefore, remembering is a reconstructive exercise using information within the frameworks of relevant schemas.

Question 27

What are the down sides of schemas?

Answer 27

It can thus mean that memories are not accurate depictions of events, and they are prone to distortions.

Question 28

What are the ways in which human memory can be inaccurate (2)?

Answer 28

1. Confirmed bias
2. Exposure to violence and the accompanying of violence: Memory can be distorted and attention can be placed on details that are not “helpful”.

Question 29

What does Mistry and Rogoff argue?

Answer 29

• The inaccuracy and distortion that is evident in people’s remembering may be better understood as a product of their context than as an indication of the functioning of some internal process.
• they argue that people learn particular remembering skills within their specific cultural context (acknowledge what is important in their cultural context).

Question 30

What concern does Neisser share with the IP approach?

Answer 30

Determining the accuracy of people’s recollections.

Question 31

What do Edwards and Potter criticise about Neisser method?

Answer 31

His memory research is built on the assumption that an accurate and indisputable record of the original event exists, and can be used to judge the accuracy of a person’s recollections.
they believe that there can be no neutral record against which claims can be checked -memories vary due to context (car accident with dean).

Question 32

How does context play a role in remembering?

Answer 32

The argument is that people learn particular remembering skills within their specific cultural context.

Question 33

Why should we not assume that non-westerners have bad memory?

Answer 33

Due to their context, some information may be irrelevant to them hence them disregarding information that may be seen as useful in Western society.

Question 34

What does the decolonial model of memory advocate?

Answer 34

An inclusive approach to memory.