Psychology - Learning and Memory

What is a mnemonic device? Name and describe three.

A mnemonic device is a learning technique that helps one remember something and retrieve memories. Examples include Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally for the order of operations in math, Roy G. Biv for the colours of the rainbow, and the ABC's song to remember the alphabet.

What is a "reinforcement" and what is a "punishment?" Give examples of each.

A reinforcement is an event that increases the probability of future responses (praise for doing good). A punishment is an event decreases the probability (spanking a child when they do something bad).

What are the three phases of memory?

Encoding, storage, and retrieval.

Describe the three phases of the classical conditioning Paradigm. Draw a diagram if that helps. Give an example of the use of classical conditioning in modern society.

I. Pre-Condition - the unconditioned stimulus produces an unconditioned response. II. Pairing -A neutral stimulus becomes associated with the unconditioned stimulus, turning that neutral stimulus into a conditioned stimulus. III. Proof - The conditioned stimulus is associated with the unconditioned stimulus to create a conditioned response. Example: nausea caused by eating or smelling foods that had caused upset stomach in the past.

Explain observational learning or the social learning paradigm. What is "self-efficacy?"

Learning results from observing the behaviours of others and from imagining the consequences of our own behaviour. Self-Efficacy is the perception of one's own ability to perform a task successfully.

Describe the operant conditioning paradigm. Draw a diagram if that helps you. Give an example of the use of operant conditioning in modern society.

Operant conditioning is when one is conditioned through rewards and/or punishment for certain behaviour. An example of this would be a rat pressing a button for food when the light is green, and refusing to press it when the light is red, as it has learned that it would then receive a shock instead of food.

What are the three types of memory by name and in terms of their duration and storage capacity.

Sensory Memory - Very brief with high storage capacity Short-Term Memory - Low storage capacity and lasts seconds to hours Long-Term Memory - Lasts a lifetime and has unlimited storage capacity

Which brain structure is intimately involved in the consolidation of memory? How does it work?

The hippocampus. Memory consolidation works as recent learned experiences are turned into long-term memories through structural and chemical changes in the nervous system.

Why is the term information processing model used when psychologists talk about memory?

The model states that parts of the brain involved with memory are similar to parts of a computer in terms of memory. Memories are stored in the brain (like a hard drive) to be retrieved later (like in a directory)

What is learning?

the brain-based phenomenon that is a relatively permanent change in behaviour that results from experience, reinforcement, or observation.