Memory

• What are the stores that make up human memory?

  Sensory, short term and long term
• Sensory store

  where information goes first but is held briefly (2 seconds but can hold a lot of information) if we give it attention it transfers to STM if not it decays
• Short term memory

  limited space (30 seconds) suggesting we need to repeat or rehearse (maintenance rehearsal) information so it can be transferred to the LTM
• Long term memory


  unlimited capacity and duration. Encoding is mainly semantic meaning we think about the meaning of the information. Encoding can be visual or auditory
• How many memory stores are there?

  3
• What are the types of forgetting?

  Decay

  Displacement

  Retrieval failure

  State cues
• What is the order of stages to process information?

  Input

  Encoding

  Storage

  Retrieval

  Output
• What is the difference between input to a computer or human?

  Computer-information enters the memory from the keyboard, memory stick

  Human- information comes through the senses – such as the eyes
• What is the difference between encoding to a computer or human?

  Computer- info is put into a format that is recognisable so sense can be made of it

  Human– info is put into a format that the mind can understand
• What is the difference between storage to a computer or human?

  Computer- once encoded, it’s filed away for use in the future e.g. saving in ‘My Documents’

  Human- once encoded, stored away somewhere where we can retrieve it if we need it.
• What is the difference between retrieval to a computer or human?

  Computer- opening info from ‘My Docs’.

  Human- sometimes this is easy, sometimes it’s hard. If we cannot remember it, we have forgotten!
• What is the difference between output to a computer or human?

  Computer- final stage like opening a file or printing it off.

  Human- conjure up an image in our minds of the skyscraper!
• What do memories pass through?

  Hippocampus before entering long term
• Why is the hippocampus important?

  For creating semantic memories and autobiographical facts
• What does the autobiographical memory contain?

  Semantic and episodic memories
• Episodic memories


  actual events of the past
• Anterograde amnesia


  The inability to form new memories after damage
• Retrograde amnesia


  The inability to recall memories from the past, after damage
• Frontal lobe


  Part of the brain that is responsible for functions such as planning, organisation and making judgements. Linked to retrograde amnesia
• Remote memory test

  A test which looks at the accuracy of someone's past memories
• Hippocampus

  Part of the brain important in forming memories.
• Procedural memory


  memories of how to do things and is stored in our long-term memory

   
• Cerebellum


  help coordinate and complete complex movements
• Input


  Info enters the memory through the senses
• Encoding


  Info is transformed into a format we can understand
• Storage

  Info is kept to use at a later time
• Retrieval

  Ability to recall info from storage
• Output


  Info is used in some way
• Role of hippocampus


  New memories must pass through hippocampus before entering long-term storage. Important for creating semantic and biographical memories.
• Anterograde amnesia


  The inability to make new memories.
• Retrograde amnesia


  The inability to recall memories from the past.
• Hippocampus - anterograde amnesia


  Anterograde amnesia usually caused by damage to the hippocampus, a vital element in the formulation of new memories. Info from STM is unable to pass through hippocampus to LTM.
• Frontal lobe - retrograde amnesia


  Damage to frontal lobe can result in retrograde amnesia. Research suggests there is a relationship between retrograde amnesia and the frontal lobe in Alzheimer's patients. Remote memory tests were performed on participants and the results showed a significant correlation.
• Cerebellum - procedural memory


  Procedural memory = motor skills. Stored in LTM. Damage to cerebellum can stop us learning new skills or developing new ones. Cerebellum also helps time and coordinate complex movements.
• Episodic memory


  Memories of places, events and people.
• Semantic memory


  General knowledge (facts, ideas, meaning, concepts).
• Procedural memory


  Responsible for motor skills, so knowing how to do things like walking, feeding yourself etc.
• MSM - sensory store

  encoding - input (5 senses)

  capacity - limited

  duration - 1-7 seconds

  forgetting - dacay
• MSM - short term memory

  encoding - mostly acoustically, info that is paid attention to

  capacity - limited (average of 7 items)

  duration - up to 30 seconds

  forgetting - displacement or decay
• MSM - long term memory

  encoding - mainly semantic

  capacity - unlimited

  duration - 1 second to forever

  forgetting - decay/retrieval failure