Psych 1100 (Unit 2) Chapter 9: The Knowing Mind: Memory
3 steps of memory
1. encoding 2. storage 3. retrieval
4 components of working memory
1. phonological rehearsal loop 2. executive control system 3. visuospatial sketchpad 4. episodic buffer
difference between working memory and short term memory
1. short-term memory involves the passive storage of information, while working memory involves an active manipulation of information. 2. short-term memory was viewed as managing a single process at a time, whereas working memory was more complex, allowing multiple processes to occur simultaneously.
information in STM usually lasts
30 seconds or less
how many items can STM hold
7 plus/minus 2 items
priming
A change in a response to a stimulus as a result of exposure to a previous stimulus.
spreading activation model
A connectionist theory proposing that people organize general knowledge based on their individual experiences.
information processing
A continuum including attention, sensation, perception, learning, memory, and cognition.
forgetting
A decrease in the ability to remember a previously formed memory.
semantic memory
A general knowledge memory.
episodic memory
A memory for personal experience.
procedural memories
A nondeclarative or implicit memory for how to carry out skilled movement. aka skill memories
encoding specificity
A process in which memories incorporate unique combinations of information when encoded.
decay
A reduction in ability to retrieve rarely used information over time.
schema
A set of expectations about objects and situations.
cue
A stimulus that aids retrieval.
purpose of acoustic codes (also known as echoic memories)
Acoustic codes represent sounds and words
flashbulb memory
An especially vivid and detailed memory of an emotional event.
working memory
An extension of the concept of short-term memory that includes the active manipulation of multiple types of information simultaneously.
non declarative memories
An unconsciously and effortlessly retrieved memory that is difficult to verbalize, such as a memory for classical conditioning, procedural learning, and priming; also known as implicit memory.
most influential memory model was designed by
Atkinson and Shiffrin- "Atkinson-Shiffrin Model of Memory"
interference
Competition between newer and older information in memory.
motivated forgetting
Failure to retrieve negative memories.
purpose of haptic codes
Haptic codes are used to process touch and other body senses
mnemonics
Memory aids that link new information to well-known information.
reconstruction
Rebuilding a memory out of stored elements.
retroactive interference
Reduced memory for target information because of subsequent learning
rehearsal
Repetition of information.
difference between episodic and semantic memories
Semantic memory provides us with an objective understanding of our world, whereas episodic memory provides a reference point for our subjective experience of the self.
autobiographical memories
Semantic or episodic memories that reference the self.
memory
The ability to retain knowledge.
levels of processing theory
The depth (shallow to deep) of processing applied to information that predicts its ease of retrieval.
long-term potentiation (LTP)
The enhancement of communication between two neurons resulting from their synchronous activation.
long-term memory
The final stage of the Atkinson-Shiffrin model that is the location of permanent memories.
sensory memory
The first stage of the Atkinson-Shiffrin model that holds large amounts of incoming data for brief amounts of time.
chunking
The process of grouping similar or meaningful information together.
retrieval
The recovery of stored information.
storage
The retention of information.
short-term memory (STM)
The second stage of the Atkinson-Shiffrin model that holds a small amount of information for a limited time.
encoding
The transformation of information from one form to another.
purpose of visual codes (also known as iconic memories)
Visual codes are used for the temporary storage of information about visual images
phonemic encoding
a level of verbal processing that emphasizes what a word sounds like
The activation of procedural memories, like steps to a dance routine, can be attributed to the _______.
basal ganglia
One way to increase the amount of information in memory is to group it into larger, more familiar units. What is this process known as?
chunking
declarative memories
easy to declare...A consciously retrieved memory that is easy to verbalize, including semantic, episodic, and autobiographical information; also known as explicit memory.
true/false: the way the brain stores memories is exactly how a computer stores information
false. a computer stores things in one place, all together. The brain separates different parts of memories in different places, and then puts them back together when needed.
true/false: encoding and storing memory guarantees it can be retrieved when needed
false. for example, stress can make the retrieval process very hard.
true/false: Relatively high levels of ACh during sleep might improve the transfer of information from temporary to more permanent storage
false. relatively low levels of Achievement
how long does sensory memory last?
fractions of a second
What is visual sensory memory also known as?
iconic memory
how long does long-term memory last?
indefinitely
Two of the most common causes of retrieval failure
interference and stress
How long before most echoic memories fade away?
less than 5 seconds
In The Office TV Show, Jim classically conditions Dwight to expect a mint when he hears the sound of a computer rebooting. However, it is difficult for Dwight to verbalize why he expects a mint every time Jim reboots his computer. This type of implicit memory is called a/an ____.
non-declarative memory
When Carlos was promoted, he moved into a new office with a new phone extension. Every time he is asked for his phone number, Carlos first thinks of his old extension. What does this illustrate?
proactive interference
Proactive interference
refers to reduced memory for target information as a result of earlier learning.
Your friend gives you directions to a new cafe downtown, and you repeat them over and over to yourself so you won't forget them. This repetition of information is an example of ____.
rehearsal
relearning
requires subject to memorize info a second time to determine how many practice trials are saved by having learned it before
recall
requires subject to produce information without cues
recognition
requires subjects to select previously learned information from an array of options
What is the process of getting information out of memory storage?
retrieval
After finding an old combination lock, Janice can't remember its combination because she keeps confusing it with the combination of her new lock. What is she experiencing?
retroactive interference
Order the stages of memory in terms of duration from shortest to longest.
sensory, short-term/working, long-term
how long do short-term and working memory last?
several seconds
What is the best description for Long-Term Potentiation (LTP)?
the increased efficiency of synaptic transmission between certain neurons following learning
Synaptic consolidation
the physical changes related to memory that occur at the level of the synapse. can take minutes to hours
retention
the proportion of material remembered
connectionism
the view of the mind as an interconnected network made up of simpler units.
transduced
translated. specifically when sensory input is translated, it is called transduced.
true/false: Acetylcholine (ACh) has been found to affect memory, especially the encoding of new information
true
true/false: Details that are consistent with our schemas are more likely to be retained
true
true/false: Semantic, episodic, and autobiographical memories involve the participation of the cerebral cortex.
true
true/false: Stress occurring either before or after learning tends to impair memory formation
true
true/false: chronic stress produces a loss of volume in the hippocampus that is likely to have profound influences on the formation of new memories
true
true/false: energy is needed to store memories
true
true/false: Procedural memories are correlated with activation of the basal ganglia, forebrain structures that are part of the brain's motor systems
true
true/false: Episodic memories are affected by damage to the prefrontal cortex.
true. called "source amnesia"
