Psych Chapter 5

Cards (99)

  • Memory
    The process of encoding, storing and retrieving information that has been previously encountered
  • Atkinson-Shiffrin model of memory
    A model of memory which outlines the three stages of memory (sensory, short-term, and long-term), each of which interact through the processes of encoding, storage and retrieval
  • Encoding
    The process of converting information into a useable form which can be manipulated and stored in the brain
  • Storage
    The retention of information over time
  • Retrieval
    The process of accessing information that has been stored in long-term memory, and bringing it into our conscious awareness in short-term memory
  • Sensory Memory
    • A stage of memory which very briefly stores raw information detected by the senses
  • Sensory Memory Examples

    • The faces of your classmates directly after looking at them
    • The sound of a bird chirping outside just after you hear it
    • The feel of your clothing that you might feel rubbing against your skin
  • Sensory Memory Capacity
    • Has an unlimited capacity, meaning there is no limit to how much it can hold
  • Sensory Memory Duration
    • 0.2 to 4 seconds
  • Subtypes of Sensory Memory
    • Iconic Memory (visual information)
    • Echoic Memory (auditory information)
    • Haptic Memory (information specific to physical touch)
  • Iconic Memory Duration
    • 0.2 to 0.4 seconds
  • Echoic Memory Duration
    • 3 to 4 seconds
  • Haptic Memory Duration
    • fewer than 2 seconds
  • Short-term Memory (STM)

    A store of memory that temporarily stores a limited amount of information that is consciously being attended to and actively manipulated
  • Ways information gets into STM
    1. Information from Sensory Memory that you have paid attention to
    2. Information from Long-term Memory that you retrieve
  • Short-term Memory (STM)

    Also known as 'working memory' because you are aware of all the information that you hold in this memory store and are consciously manipulating (working on) it
  • STM Capacity
    • 7 ± 2 items (or 5 to 9 items)
  • STM Duration
    • 18 to 30 seconds for most people, after which information generally begins to fade
  • Rehearsal
    A controlled process which involves consciously repeating or manipulating information in short-term memory
  • Displacement
    Information in STM can be pushed out by new incoming information
  • Decay
    Information in STM can fade away on its own after the duration of STM has expired
  • Chunking
    A process by which you can group smaller chunks of information into larger chunks in order to hold more information in STM
  • Chunking Example

    • Remembering a phone number by chunking it into 3 chunks of 3-4 digits
  • Maintenance Rehearsal
    Involves repeating new information over and over again to keep the information in STM for as long as possible
  • Maintenance Rehearsal Example
    • Repeating a phone number over and over again to remember it for as long as possible
  • Elaborative Rehearsal
    Involves meaningfully linking new information to information already stored in long-term memory
  • Elaborative Rehearsal Example
    • Remembering a new co-worker's name by relating it to someone else you know
  • Long-term Memory (LTM)

    A store of memory in which a potentially unlimited amount of information is stored for a relatively permanent amount of time
  • LTM Capacity
    • Potentially unlimited
  • LTM Accessibility
    • Information stored in LTM is not in conscious awareness, we may not have the capacity to retrieve all information in LTM, as we may not be aware of how to retrieve it or are not prompted by the right retrieval cues
  • LTM Duration
    • Relatively permanent, meaning that theoretically information can be stored in LTM forever
  • Research is still being conducted on the duration of long-term memory
  • Explicit Memory
    A type of long-term memory that is consciously retrieved
  • Explicit Memory Example
    • Remembering you had spring rolls for lunch and telling your friend how delicious they were
  • Semantic Memory
    A type of explicit memory that consists of general knowledge or facts
  • Semantic Memory Example
    • Knowing that there are seven continents, 3x3=9
  • Episodic Memory
    A type of explicit memory that consists of personal experiences or events unique to each individual
  • Episodic Memory Example

    • The memory of getting your driver's license, what you had for dinner last night
  • Implicit Memory
    A type of long-term memory that is unconsciously retrieved
  • Implicit Memory Example

    • Recalling the technique of how to kick a soccer ball during a match, the ability to execute the technique