Memory

• Memory is the process by which we retain information from years ago
• Factors that can affect memory include age, illnesses (dementia), amount of sleep, hydration, and mental illnesses (depression)
• The multi-store model is a linear model made up of unitary stores where memory goes from one store to the next
• Sensory memory is modality specific, has unlimited capacity, and lasts less than half a second
• Short term memory is coded acoustically, lasts 18-30 seconds, stores between 5-9 items, and can be transferred to long-term memory through chunking and rehearsal
• Long term memory codes semantically, is permanent, and has potentially unlimited capacity
• The HM study involved a patient with memory impairment due to hippocampus removal, supporting the idea of separate STM and LTM stores
• A weakness of the multi-store model is its simplicity, as shown by the case of KF who forgot auditory information more than visual information
• Craik and Tulving's research showed the importance of elaborate rehearsal for memory, highlighting a weakness in the MSM
• A strength of the MSM is the evidence showing that STM and LTM are different stores, as seen in brain activity studies. Prefrontal cortex active during STM Tasks but not LTM tasks.
• Coding in memory involves sound (acoustic) and meaning (semantic), as shown in research by Baddeley
• Jacob's and Miller's research on memory capacity found that STM can hold about 7 chunks of information
• Peterson and Peterson's study on memory duration showed that rehearsal improves memory retention in STM
• Bahrick et al.'s research on memory duration with real-life memories demonstrated high ecological validity
• The working memory model includes the central executive, phonological loop, visuospatial sketch pad, and episodic buffer as separate stores for different types of information processing
• Research supporting the working memory model includes dual task performance studies and case studies like that of KF
• A weakness of the working memory model is the lack of clarity and measurement of the central executive's capacity
• Semantic memory stores general knowledge and facts, while episodic memory holds personal memories of events
• Semantic memory contains knowledge of an impressive number of concepts
• Not time-stamped, more about facts
• Episodic memory contains personal memories and memories of when events occurred
• Episodic memory is retrieved consciously and is likened to a diary
• Complex memories in episodic memory are time-stamped and remember when events happened
• One memory encompasses several different factors such as location and people
• Even if the recall of memory is quick, you still have to search your memory for events
• Procedural memory includes motor skills, learned skills, and muscle memories
• Procedural memory is non-declarative and implicit, knowing how to do things automatically without requiring energy
• A strength of procedural memory is research support from neuroimaging evidence
• Different types of memory are stored in different places in the brain
• Case studies of patients like HM and Clive Wearing support the theory of different types of long-term memory (LTM)
• Case study evidence may be unreliable due to unique cases and lack of control over variables
• Knowing the different types of memory can help in real life
• Episodic memory can be improved in older people with mild cognitive impairment
• Understanding different types of LTM can lead to the development of special treatments
• This model has high ecological validity as it helps people in real life
• Forgetting is not being able to recall previously learned information
• Interference occurs when two pieces of information compete with each other, leading to forgetting or distortion
• Proactive interference is when previously learned information interferes with storing new information
• Retroactive interference is when new memory interferes with old ones
• Underwood and Postman found that both proactive and retroactive interference take place