psychology memory SAC targeted questions

Question 1

Explain how our memory stores are organised based on the Atkinson-Shiffrin multi-store mode of memory.

Answer 1

There are three distinct stores of memory.

Including sensory, short-term and long term memory.

Sensory memory follows through to short term memory if it is given attention.

Then short term memory is transferred to long term memory when it is encoded via rehersal. Additionally long term memory can then be used via retrieval.

Question 2

Explanatory power of Atkinson-shiffrin multi-model of memory

Answer 2

Strengths:

• The model distinguishes between the different stores involved in memory
• The model outlines that each memory store has different capacity and duration

Limitations:

• STM is more complex than the model suggests.
• The model ignores factors such as motivation and strategy, which can facilitate learning and assist in encoding info from STM to LTM

Question 3

Role of hippocampus

Answer 3

Itconverts short-term memories into long-term memories by organizing, storing and retrieving memories within your brain.

• Formation of explicit
• Consolidation
• Encoding

Question 4

Role of amygdala

Answer 4

Has a role in consolidating and encoding the emotional aspects of memories. Additionally, It is responsible for encoding the emotional components of classically conditioned and explicit memories.

• Emotional
• Encoding
• Strengthening- consolidation

Question 5

Role of neocortex

Answer 5

storage of explicit memories

Question 6

Basal ganglia:

Answer 6

involved in encoding and storing procedurl memories.

Question 7

Cerebellum:

Answer 7

• Encoding
• stores
• procedural “how to”

Question 8

Explain one reason why the atkinson-shiffrin mutli-store model of memory is considered a model and not a theory

Answer 8

The atkisnon shifrrin multi store model is considered a model and not a theory as it is visually demonstrated as well as simplifying and representing. Wheras, a theory explains and predicts and this model does not.

Question 9

Referencig the task, explain why STM is often reffered to as a working memory

Answer 9

STM is often reffered to as working memory as you are aware of all the information you store in this memory store and are conciously manipulated (working on it). When the words have been rehresed, either with maintanece or eleborative rehersal.

Question 10

Write an evidence based conclusion for activity 1

Answer 10

Based on the evidence obtained it can be suggested that engaging in elaborative rehrseal in which words are associated with a story and hance create meaningful associations is a more effective method of encoding new information into LTM compared to maintanence rehearsal where words are presented in a list/without context and only use repetition.

Question 11

Activity 2- Referencing details of the video explain the role of the neocotrx in memory

Answer 11

The neocortex has a role in the long-term storage of explicit (declarative) memories following their consolidation in the hippocampus.

HM was still able to recall most of his previously stored LTM memories because they are stored in the neo cortex, and this brain structure was still largely intact

Question 12

Activity 2 - referncing examples from the video, contrast implicit and explicit memory

Answer 12

Implicit memories can be unconsciously retrieved, such as procedural memories. This was evident in the case of H.M as he was able to continuously improve his ability to trace the third star between two.

Whereas explicit memories require conscious retrieval. These memories are voluntarily retrieved from LTM and brought into conscious awareness. H.M was unable to remember practising tracing the star due to his anterograde amnesia.

Question 13

Activity 2- referencing details of the video explain the role of the cerebellum in memory

Answer 13

The cerebellum in conjunction with the basal ganglia plays a role in the encoding and storage of implicit (procedural) memories. In the case of H.M his cerebellum was intact so he was able to continue to form new procedural memories as shown by his ability to trace the star.

Question 14

Activity 2- Referencing examples from the video, define and provide examples of semantic and episodic memory

Answer 14

Both semantic and episodic memories are types of explicit memories. Semantic memories are memories that consist of general knowledge and facts about the world. They are declarative and can be expressed verbally . H.M was unable to recall a set of numbers after 15 minutes when being tested.

Episodic memories consist of personal experiences and events. They are unique to each individual. H.M was unable to recall conversations or interactions he had with people after the surgery.

Question 15

Suggest two changes you would make to this experiment and suggest how they would improve the internal and external validity of the research

Answer 15

Larger sample size – more variety in participant characteristics ensures sample more representative of variation in the population + link to external validity

Using random sampling/stratified sampling to obtain a more representative sample – less bias or ensuring specific characteristics are representative of the population through chosen strata + link to external validity

Could recall of words have been tested in another way I.e. through a recognition task to determine how many words participants had stored in LTM + link to internal validity

Question 16

Activity 2- Identify and evaluate the research method discussed in the video.

Answer 16

The research method used is a case study. This is an in-depth investigation of an individual (HM), to study a particular phenomenon that contains a real or hypothetical situation.

It provided highly detailed in-depth information about the removal of the hippocampus and the impact on memory.

However, it is difficult to test a cause and effect / results cannot be generalised to the wider population as they usually only involve a small group or individual. H.M’s condition and situation was a rare phenomenon.

Question 17

Activity 2- Descrbie two key differences and two key similarities between HM’s amnesia and Alzheimers disease

Answer 17

Similarities:

In both HM’s amnesia and Alzheimer’s Disease, past autobiographical memories are difficult to recall

Both HM and AD have damage to hippocampus

Differences:

.

Alzheimer’s disease involves the accumulation of amyloid plaques an neurofibrillary tangles whereas this did not occur in HM’s brain

Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disorder whereas HM did not have a neurodegenerative disorder

Question 18

Activity 2- Describe one similarity and two differences between implict and explicit memory, referncing the video

Answer 18

One similary between implict and explict memoyr is that they are both type sof long term memory. Wheras two key differences between the two is that explicity memory is conciously recalled wheras implicit memory is unconciously recalled. Additionally, explicit memory involves semantic and epidodic wheras implicit involves procedural and classicaly conditioned.

Question 19

Referencing an example from the video, define procedural memory

Answer 19

Procedural memory is a type of implicit memory that involves knowing how to carry out tasks facilitated by motor skills. This is shown by H.M continuously improving his ability to trace the star.

Question 20

Activity 3- identify and evalute the research method chosen for this activity

Answer 20

The reasearch method chosen for this activity is fieldwork, specifically a questionnaire.

Strength – easy to distribute to a large sample, this ensures more participants take part which results in higher external validity and potential to generalise results to population due to gathering data from a sample with significant variation in participant differences.

Limitation – limited potential to establish a cause and effect relationship between variables, it is difficult to ascertain whether differences in students mental imagery are indicative of aphantasia

Question 21

1. Why is memory considered an active process?

Answer 21

Memory is an active process as it required attention on one specific thing. For example is someone wants to remember what they just heard, the information must be detected through echoic sensations then trasfered to short term memory.

Question 22

1. Describe implicit memory with reference to the brain structures involved in its formation and recall.

Answer 22

Implicit memory is memories that are unconciously recalled. These memories can either be classical conditoned or procedural memories. Thus, the formation and consolidation of these memories is in the amygdala before being stored in the basal ganglia. The two types of memories, classical and procedural both do not require conciously remebering them to be stored.

Question 23

b. Describe explicit memory with reference to the brain structures involved in its formation and recall

Answer 23

Explicit memory is conciously recalled. These memories are either semantic or episodic. Semantic is when these memories can be declared like a phone number or the amount of continents. However, episodic is from your own life expereinces such as what you ate for dinner last night.