memory

• Memory


  An active information processing system that receives, organises, stores and recovers information
• Memory processes


  1. Encoding

  2. Storage

  3. Retrieval
• Encoding


  The entire process of converting information into a useable form or code that can be stored in memory
• Storage


  The retention of information overtime
• Retrieval


  The process of locating and recovering the stored information from memory so that we are consciously aware of it
• Atkinson-Shiffrin multi-store model of memory

  • Proposes that there are multiple levels to memory, and in order to store information for a long period of time, sensory information must pass through three independent stores that function simultaneously and interact with each other to process information
• Sensory memory


  The initial stage of the memory system in which all the stimuli that bombard our senses are retained in their original sensory form (exact copies & not encoded)
• Sensory memory


  • We are not normally consciously aware of the information in sensory memory
  • Filters out information that we have not attended to or is unnecessary
  • Stores information long enough so we perceive the world as continuous
• Iconic memory


  Visual sensory memory. Images only last in iconic memory for about one third (0.3) of a second. Long enough for the identification of the stimulus to begin
• At the movies, it is necessary for iconic memory to store information from one frame to the next in order for you to see continuous images
• Echoic memory


  Auditory sensory memory. Echoic sounds like echo. Echoic memory stores sounds for 3 to 4 seconds
• Echoic memory has an important role in language comprehension. It enables storage of all sounds that make a word so the word can be processed as a whole
• Short-term memory


  Also referred to as Working Memory. Helps store info while you work on it. Memory system with limited storage capacity. Between 5-9 bits of information
• Short-term memory


  Contains all information that we are consciously aware of. Either brought in from sensory memory or retrieved from LTM
• Short-term memory


  Information is lost though decay (fading through disuse) or displacement (being pushed out by new information)
• Short-term memory as working memory


  Enables us to actively work on and manipulate information received from sensory memory and retrieved from LTM
• Short-term memory as working memory


  • When attempting to solve 17+5+15+10, information is temporarily held in STM while you work on the problem
  • When reading, working memory holds words from the beginning of a sentence while you continue to process the rest of the sentence
• Long-term memory


  A relatively permanent memory system which has an unlimited capacity for storing information for a relatively unlimited duration
• Long-term memory


  Stores information semantically, i.e. encoding is elaborative, according to meaning
• Types of long-term memory


  • Explicit memory
  • Implicit memory
• Explicit memory


  Memory that occurs when information can be consciously or intentionally retrieved and stated. Often involve a deliberate and conscious attempt to retrieve previously stored information
• Implicit memory


  Memory that does not require conscious or intentional retrieval. Remembering usually occurs without effort. Described as memory without awareness
• Types of explicit memory

  • Episodic memory
  • Semantic memory
• Episodic memory


  Memories which contain autobiographical information about personal events and experiences in one's life and the context in which they occurred
• Semantic memory


  Memories which involve specialised knowledge of factual information about the world. This includes general knowledge, academic knowledge (of that learned at school) as well as the meaning of words
• Procedural memory


  Memory of motor skills and actions that have been learned previously. They are demonstrated through performance. Particular skills will be activated and brought into consciousness with little effort
• Classically conditioned memory


  Conditioned response to conditioned stimuli, particularly those that involve anxiety or fear
• With taste aversion, if you have been sick after eating pizza, you may feel sick when seeing or smelling pizza. The memory of feeling sick enters your conscious awareness automatically, without effort
• Neocortex


  Memories distributed throughout the cortex. Permanent storage where info was first processed. Parts brought together and reconstructed as single memory for retrieval in STM (conscious awareness)
• Hippocampus


  Turns ST memories in LT memories. Consolidation of new semantic and episodic memories. Not directly involved in Implicit memories (procedural and CC memories). Transfers memories to cerebral cortex for long term storage
• Hippocampus with Amygdala


  With amygdala, has a role in formation of emotional memories (explicit components). Enables neural representation of explicit memories (semantic and episodic information)
• Amygdala


  Role in processing and regulating emotional reactions such as fear and anger. Involved in a wide range of emotional memories. Classically conditioned emotional responses occur involuntarily in response to a relevant situation or stimulus
• Basal ganglia


  Has a role in long term implicit memories involving motor skills. Involved in habituation, the process of growing accustomed to a situation or stimulus
• Cerebellum


  Involved in encoding and temporary storage of implicit procedural memories. Forms and stores implicit memories simple reflexes acquired through classical conditioning
• Declarative memories involve the long-term memory of specific facts and events, most of which can be stated or 'declared'
• Habituation


  A type of involuntary learning that involves implicit memory. It occurs when we become accustomed to a situation or stimulus and gradually cease to respond to it.
• Habituation


  • When we hear a new stimulus, we become alert to it and turn our head towards it. Habituation occurs when we hear the same noise over and over again and gradually cease to respond to it.
• We are not consciously aware of habituation occurring.
• Roles of specific regions of the brain in long-term memory

  • Cerebellum
  • Episodic and semantic memories
• Cerebellum


  • Coordinates fine muscle movement, regulates posture and balance. Contributes to various cognitive and perceptual processes.
  • Involved in activities involving skilled sequence of movements that require speed, timing, fluency.
  • Directly involved in encoding and temporary storage of implicit procedural memories.
  • Forms and stores implicit memories simple reflexes acquired through classical conditioning.
  • Role in visual sensori-motor coordination related activities such as spatial learning, navigation and memory.