W5: Memory

Question 1

what does encode mean?

Answer 1

Represent information in some form (sound, visual image, meaning) in the memory system

Question 2

what are the two forms in which our brain stores information?

Answer 2

• The stage model of memory

- the levels of processing model of memory

Question 3

what does the sensory register do?

Answer 3

• Keeps an exact replica of a sensory experience -A snapshot, echo
• Holds information very briefly 15 milliseconds

Question 4

what does the attention do?

Answer 4

• Attention transfer to short-term memory

Question 5

what does the short term memory do (STM)?

Answer 5

• Keeps information that is selected for further processing • Holds information briefly
• Holds 5-9 bits of information

• Serves as our working memory
-Keeps information + thinking about/processing the information

Question 6

What are the two strategies used to expand the limited capacity of the STM?

Answer 6

-Rehearsal: Mental repetition of information
oTransform incoming information into acoustic codes
-Chunking: Grouping/organizing information into meaningful categories
-Chunk: a unit of memory

Question 7

what does the long term memory (LTM) do?

Answer 7

• Keeps information for longer periods of time • Has unlimited capacity

Question 8

what are 4 types of long term memory?

Answer 8

Procedural memory
Declarative memory
Episodic memory
Semantic memory

Question 9

what does the procedural memory entail?

Answer 9

• Memory for motor movements and skills

- Accessed through performance §i.e. Riding a bicycle

Question 10

what does declarative memory mean and which 2 categories fall under it?

Answer 10

-Memory for material that can be put into word
-Episodic memory
Semantic memory

Question 11

what are episodic and semantic memory?

Answer 11

EP

• Memory for specific experiences
• Reference to time and place
• e.g., Can you tell me the first day that you come to Istanbul?

SE

• Memory for meaning
• No reference to time and place
• Stronger than episodic memory
• e.g., Can you tell me the capital city of Turkey? E.g., Do you remember how you learnt it?

Question 12

how does organisation in the LTM happen?

Answer 12

An associative network- memories are linked through experience

Question 13

what are the two types of processing used in the memory register?

Answer 13

Superficial processing

Deep processing

Question 14

what is the difference between superficial and deep processing and which stage do the belong?

Answer 14

Superficial processing= Perceptual information-STM
Deep processing= Meaning
-Elaboration: Creating associations between new and existing memories= LTM
-i.e. Linking a new concept with your personal experiences

Question 15

what are the 4 theories of forgetting?

Answer 15

-decay theory, reconstruction theory, interference theory and motivated forgetting

Question 16

what does the decay theory say?

Answer 16

• Time causes memory traces to fade

* Has explanatory power for the sensory register and STM, but not LTM

Question 17

what is the interference theory?

Answer 17

• Other memories interfere with the storage and retrieval of information

• Similarity increases interference, particularly in episodic memories
• Applies to LTM and STM

Question 18

what are the two types of interference in the interference theory?

Answer 18

• Proactive interference: Created by memories from prior learning
• Retroactive interference: Created by memories from later learning

Question 19

what is the reconstruction theory?

Answer 19

Information is not forgotten, but distorted during retrieval

• Schema: Associated networks consisting of beliefs, knowledge and expectations
• More distortion in episodic than in semantic memory

Question 20

what is motivated forgetting and which concept?

Answer 20

-Forgetting what is threatening or upsetting
-Freud and the concept of repression
-Pushing unpleasant or dangerous information into the unconscious
But moderate emotional arousal enhance memory

Question 21

what are the two types of Amnesia

Answer 21

• Retrograde amnesia

* Anterograde amnesia

Question 22

what is retrograde amnesia?

Answer 22

An inability to retrieve old long-term memories

• Usually not for the entire lifetime
• Extends back in time for a period of minutes or days
• Caused by seizures, brain damage, concussion

Question 23

what is anterograde amnesia?

Answer 23

An inability to store or retrieve new information in long-term memory
-No knowledge of current events
-Usually affects the formation of long-term episodic memories, not
procedural memories
-Caused by surgery, damage to hippocampus, excessive alcohol consumption