memory

• Memory


  An active information-processing system that receives, stores, organises & recovers information
• Information processing model of memory

  1. Encoding

  2. Storage

  3. Retrieval
• Encoding

  The process that converts information into a useable form (code) that can be stored & represented in the memory system
• Storage


  The retention of information in the memory system over time
• Retrieval


  The process of locating information stored in memory by bringing it into consciousness when needed
• Atkinson-Shiffrin Multi-store model of Memory


  • A system consisting of multiple memory stores/levels through which a stream of data flows for processing
  • Emphasises the storage structures of memory & suggests that information must pass through three memory stores in order to be stored for a long time
• Three memory stores in the Atkinson-Shiffrin model


  • Sensory memory
  • Short-term memory (STM)
  • Long-term memory (LTM)
• Sensory memory


  Receives & stores an unlimited amount of sensory information for between 0.2–4 seconds
• Subtypes of sensory memory

  • Iconic: Visual Information
  • Haptic: Physical Touch
  • Echoic: Auditory
• Short-term memory (STM)

  A store of memory that holds a limited amount of information that is consciously being attended to and actively manipulated
• Short-term memory


  • Capacity of 7 ± 2 items (or 5 to 9 items)
  • Sensitive to interruption
  • Capacity can be increased by chunking information
• Rehearsal


  Active manipulation of information in STM in order to hold it for longer than usual
• Types of rehearsal


  • Maintenance rehearsal
  • Elaborative rehearsal
• Long-term memory (LTM)


  Used for relatively permanent storage of an unlimited amount of information
• Types of long-term memory


  • Implicit
  • Explicit
• Explicit memory


  Memories that are voluntarily retrieved from long term memory and brought into conscious awareness
• Subtypes of explicit memory


  • Semantic
  • Episodic
• Implicit memory


  A type of long-term memory that is unconsciously/involuntarily retrieved
• Subtypes of implicit memory


  • Procedural
  • Classically Conditioned
• Brain structures involved in memory

  • Hippocampus
  • Amygdala
  • Neocortex
  • Basal Ganglia
  • Cerebellum
• Hippocampus


  Primarily involved in encoding, consolidating and retrieving explicit memories
• Amygdala


  Primarily involved in encoding the emotional component of memories of classically conditioned and explicit memories
• Neocortex


  Involved in high-order mental processes such as language, attention and memory, and stores explicit memories
• Basal Ganglia


  Involved in encoding and storing procedural memories and classically conditioned memories
• Cerebellum


  Encodes and temporarily stores implicit Procedural memories for motor skills, more specifically for those created by classical conditioning
• Cerebellum


  Role in coordinating fine muscle movements and regulating posture and balance