Memory

• Coding- The format in which information is stored in the various memory stores
• Capacity- the amount of information that can be held in a memory store
• Duration- the length of time information can be held in memory
• STM- the limited capacity memory store. Coding is mainly acoustic (sounds), capacity is between 5-9 items on average, duration between 18-30s
• LTM- the permanent memory store. Coding is mainly semantic (meaning), it has unlimited capacity and can store memories for up to a lifetime.
• Multi-store model (MSM)- a representation of how memory works in terms of three stores: sensory register, STM and LTM. Also describes how information is transferred from one store to another, how it is remembered and forgotten.
• Sensory register- the memory stores for each of our five senses. Coding in the iconic sensory register is visual and in the echoic sensory register it is acoustic. The capacity of sensory registers is huge and info lasts for a very short time (less than 1/2 a second)
• Episodic memory- long-term memory store for personal events. Includes memories of events occurred, people, objects, places and behaviours involved. Memories have to be retrieved consciously with effort.
• Semantic memory- a long term memory store for our knowledge of the world. Includes facts and knowledge of words/concepts mean. These memories usually also need to be recalled deliberately.
• Procedural memory- a long term memory store for our knowledge of how to do things. This includes our memories of learned skills. We usually recall these memories without making a conscious/deliberate effort.
• Working memory model (WMM)- representation of STM. Suggests that STM is a dynamic processor of different types of information using sub-units co-ordinated by central decision making systems.
• Central executive (CE)- component of WMM rhat co-ordinates activities of the three subsystems in memory. Also allocates processing resources to those acitvites.
• Phonological loop (PL)- component of WMM that processes sound information. Includes written and spoken material. Divided into the phonological store and articulatory process.
• Visuo-spatial sketchpad (VSS)- component of the WMM that processes visual and spatial information in a mental space often called our 'inner eye'.
• Episodic buffer (EB)- component of the WMM that brings together material from other subsystems into a single memory (instead of strands). Also provides a bridge between working memory and LTM
• Interference- Forgetting because one memory blocks another, causing one or both to be distorted or forgotten.
• Proactive interference (PI)- forgetting occurs when older memories (already stored) disrupt the recall of newer memories. The degree of forgetting is greater when the new memories are similar.
• Retroactive interference (RI)- forgetting occurs when newer memories disrupt the recall of older memories already stored. The degree of forgetting is greater when the memories are similar
• Retrieval failure- a form of forgetting. Occurs when we don't have the necessary cues to access memory. The memory is available but not accessible.
• Cue- a trigger of information that allows us to access a memory. Such cues may be meaningful or may be indirectly linked by being encoded at the time of learning.
• Eyewitness testimony- ability of people to remember the details of events which they have observed (e.g. accidents). Accuracy can be affected by factors such as misleading info, leading questions and anxiety.
• Misleading information- incorrect info given to the eyewitness usually after the event.
• Leading question- a question which suggests a certain answer due to the way it's phrased.
• Post-event discussion- occurs when there is more than one witness to an event. Witnesses may discusses what they have seen with co-witnesses or other people. May influence accuracy of recall.
• Anxiety- a state of emotional and physical arousal. Can affect the accuracy and detail of eyewitness testimony.
• Cognitive interview- an interviewing method to help eyewitnesses help them retrieve more accurate memories.