unit 3.3: memory Flashcards
what is memory
the capacity of the brain to encode information, store it and retrieve it when required
what does memories include
past experiences
thoughts
knowledge
where does information that enters the brain go first
sensory memory
where does information that enters the brain go second
short term memory (STM)
where does information that enters the brain go last
long term memory (LTM)
what happens if the information is not needed
displaced or discarded
what is sensory memory
all visual and auditory input but only lasts 1 or 2 seconds, select images can be stored in STM
what is STM
a limited storage capacity for a short time, around 7 items for 30 seconds
how do you extend the length of time items are held in STM
chunking
rehearsal
what is rehearsal
repeating a piece of information many times, silently or aloud which increases the time it is stored in STM, can also help transfer to LTM
what is chunking
the term given to organising information into smaller chunks allowing us to recall this information for longer
what is the serial position effect
when information is viewed in a sequence, the first and last pieces of information are remembered the best, the middle is typically forgotten
why does the serial position effect work the way it does
the first pieces of information are repeated many times and have usually been moved to LTM, the end pieces of information are the most recent and easily recallable as they’ve not been displaced, the middle information has been displaced due to the STM being crowded with information
what is the LTM
unlimited amount of information for an unlimited time
what are the types of encoding
rehearsal (shallow)
organisation (deep)
elaboration (deep)
what is encoding
transferring information from STM to LTM in a form that the brain can process and store into categories
what is organisation
grouping information into logical categories making it easily transferable from STM to LTM
what is elaboration
associating further meaning with it or linking it back to a previous memory
what are contextual cues
these relate to the time and place where the information was initially encoded into the LTM
what is retrieval
recalling information from the LTM, usually stored in logical categories e.g. family/holidays etc
