Chapter 6 - PSY 0010

• memory


  the process by which we encode, store, and retrieve information
• types of memory stores

  sensory memory

  
  

  short term memory

  
  

  long term memory
• sensory memory


  initial, momentary storage of sensory information

  
  

  separate stores:

  -iconic memory

  -echoic memory

  
  

  important information is passed to short term memory
• echoic memory


  stores auditory information; lasts 2 or 3 seconds
• iconic memory


  stores visual information; lasts less than a second
• short term memory (STM)


  memory store in which info has meaning

  
  

  holds info for 15 to 25 seconds (lost afterwards)

  
  

  can hold 7 + or - 2 "chunks" of info

  
  

  ex: PBSFOXCNNABCCBSMTVNBC

  ---21 chunks; not all of it can be stored

  
  

  PBS FOX CNN ABC CBS MTV NBC

  ---same letters, 7 chunks; all can be stored

  
  

  rehersal
• rehearsal


  repetition of info that has entered STM

  
  

  maintains info in STM

  
  

  transfers info to long term memory by:

  elaborative rehearsal
• elaborative rehersal


  info is organized in a fashion that makes it easier to remember

  
  

  mnemonics
• mnemonics


  strategies for elaborative rehearsal

  
  

  ex: i before e except after c
• three stage model of memory

  
• working memory

  modern view of STM

  
  

  actively processes info from sensory and long term memory

  
  

  uses significant cognitive resources during its operation

  
  

  stress can reduce its effectiveness

  
  

  
  

  central executive processor (has 3 stores of info)

  
• central executive processor


  involved in reasoning and decision making

  
  

  coordinates 3 stores of info

  -visual store

  -verbal store

  -episodic buffer
• visual store


  visual and spatial info

  
  

  ex: cognitive map would be stored here
• verbal store


  speech, words, numbers
• episodic buffer


  episodes and events
• long term memory (LTM)


  stores info almost indefinitely (no limit like STM)

  
  

  relatively permanent storage of info

  
  

  not all info enters LTM

  
  

  serial position effect
• serial position effect


  ability to recall information in a list depends on where it is on the list

  
  

  primary effect

  
  

  recency effect
• primary effect

  better recall for items early in the list

  
  

  info is in LTM
• recency effect


  better recall for items later in the list

  
  

  info is still in STM
• long term memory separate "stores"

  procedural memory

  
  

  declarative memory

  -semantic memory

  -episodic memory
• procedural memory


  skills and habits

  
  

  ex: how to bake a cake, how to brush teeth
• declarative memory


  factual information

  
  

  ex: cake ingredients

  
  

  semantic memory

  
  

  episodic memory
• semantic memory


  general knowledge, facts, and rules of logic

  
  

  ex: naming the cake ingredients, i before e except after c
• episodic memory


  events that occured in a particular time, place, or context

  
  

  ex: baked cake at someone's house for 18th birthday
• neuroscience of memory


  hippocampus

  -consolidation

  
  

  amygdala

  
  

  long term potentiation
• hippocampus

  involved in encoding and consolidating memories

  
  

  consolidation
• consolidation


  memories become fixed and stable in LTM
• amygdala


  involved in memories with emotional content
• long term potentiation

  certain neural pathways become easily excited while a new response is being learned

  
  

  number of synapses increase, allowing more neural communication

  
  

  results in gradual consolidation
• retrieval cue


  any stimulus that allows easier recall of info in LTM

  
  

  ex: studying in a quiet area is different then recalling info on test day in class room (crowded, pages turning, etc)

  
  

  are more important for recall (specific info must be retrieved)

  --like an essay question

  --given a picture and asked to talk a little about the person

  
  

  recognition
• recognition


  being presented with a stimulus and asked:

  -if you've been exposed to it previously

  -to identify from a list

  -like multiple choice tests
• levels of processing

  how deeply new info is mentally analyzed

  
  

  shallow levels

  
  

  deeper levels

  
  

  deeper processing
• shallow levels


  info is processed in terms of its physical and sensory aspects

  
  

  ex: simply remembering definitions (flash cards)
• deeper levels


  info is analyzed in terms of its meaning

  
  

  ex: know definition and can give examples
• deeper processing


  better recall
• explicit memory


  intentional or conscious recollection of info
• implicit memory


  memories of which we are not consciously aware

  
  

  ex: brushing your teeth, typing

  
  

  priming
• priming


  exposure to a word or concept later makes it easier to recall similar info
• flashbulb memories


  easy and vivid recall of specific, important, or surprising event

  
  

  ex: car accident, meeting a roommate, high school graduation

  
  

  highly emotional memories aren't always accurate

  -source amnesia
• source amnesia


  can remember some info, but can't remember where it was encountered