Unit 1.1 Memory

• What is memory in psychology?

  The encoding, storage, and retrieval of information
• What is the Method of Loci technique?

  • A mnemonic device for memorization
  • Involves creating mental images
  • Uses familiar environments for encoding
• What is encoding in memory?

  Changing information into a form for storage
• What are the three types of encoding?


  Visual, acoustic, and semantic encoding
• What is visual encoding?

  Processing memories based on appearance
• What is acoustic encoding?

  Processing memories based on sound
• What is semantic encoding?

  Processing memories based on meaning
• What is storage in memory?

  Holding information for later retrieval
• What are the three features of storage in memory?

  1. Capacity - amount of information stored
  2. Duration - length of time stored
  3. Coding - organization of information
• What is retrieval in memory?

  Accessing stored information for use
• What is recall in memory retrieval?

  Remembering information from memory search
• What is cued recall?

  Remembering information after a prompt
• What is free recall?

  Remembering information without prompts
• What is recognition in memory retrieval?

  Identifying previously encountered information
• What is relearning in memory retrieval?

  Learning previously learned information quickly
• What is retrieval failure?

  Inability to access stored information
• What are retrieval cues?

  • External/contextual cues (e.g., smell)
  • Internal/state cues (e.g., emotions)
• What is the capacity of short-term memory (STM)?

  7 ± 2 chunks
• What is the duration of short-term memory (STM)?

  18-30 seconds
• What is the capacity of long-term memory (LTM)?

  Unlimited
• What is the duration of long-term memory (LTM)?

  Culminating lifespan
• What is the coding type for sensory memory?

  Appropriate to sense
• What is the coding type for short-term memory (STM)?

  Acoustic
• What is the coding type for long-term memory (LTM)?

  Semantic
• What are the strengths of the Multi-Store Model?

  • Evidence for different memory stores
  • Simple and neat explanation of memory
• What are the weaknesses of the Multi-Store Model?

  • Too simplistic for complex memory
  • Ignores individual differences in memory
  • Suggests all information enters LTM through rehearsal
• What are the three types of long-term memory (LTM)?

  1. Episodic memory
  2. Semantic memory
  3. Procedural memory
• What is episodic memory?

  Memory of personal experiences at specific times
• What is semantic memory?

  Memory of meanings and general knowledge
• What is procedural memory?

  Memory of how to perform tasks
• What is amnesia?

  • Partial or total loss of memory
  • Can retain skills but forget personal events
• How do people with amnesia typically function?

  They can perform tasks but forget past events
• What was the aim of Baddeley's study in 1966?

  To see if there was a difference in encoding
• What design was used in Baddeley's study?

  Independent groups design
• How many groups were involved in Baddeley's study?

  Four groups
• What task were participants asked to perform in Baddeley's study?

  Recall 5 words in the correct order
• What type of words did Group A receive?

  Acoustically similar words
• What type of words did Group B receive?

  Acoustically dissimilar words
• What type of words did Group C receive?

  Semantically similar words
• What type of words did Group D receive?

  Semantically dissimilar words