Basics

• Define memory


  The recall of stored information
• What are the 5 steps of information processing?


  1. Input - through the senses
  2. Encoding - changed into a format that's easier to understand
  3. Storage - held in memory
  4. Retrieval - recall of information
  5. Output - using the recalled information
• What is anterograde amnesia, and what is it caused by?


  The inability to form new memories.

  Caused by damage to the hippocampus
• What is retrograde amnesia, and what is it caused by?


  The inability to recall existing memories.

  Caused by damage to the frontal lobe.
• Difference between retrograde and anterograde amnesia


  Retrograde - inability to recall existing memories

  Anterograde - inability to form new memories
• What section of the brain is responsible for storing long-term memories?


  Frontal lobe
• What does the frontal lobe do?


  Responsible for processing short-term memories through encoding
• How is the hippocampus involved in making new memories?


  Information must pass through before entering long-term storage
• What does the cerebellum do?


  Responsible for learning movements and procedural memory
• What is our procedural memory?


  Our motor skills - our memory on how to do things. Stored in our long-term memory

  Examples: walking, feeding ourselves
• How is our procedural memory affected?


  Damage to the cerebellum can stop us from learning new skills or improving on old ones
• Define episodic memory


  Memories of places, events and people
• Define amnesic syndrome


  A general term to describe any memory problems caused by brain damage/illness/psychological trauma
• What is dementia?


  A degenerative disorder - the longer you have it, the worse your symptoms get.

  Loss of memory, problems with thinking + problem solving