PSYCHOLOGY: MEMORY

Memory

The processing, storage, and retrieval of information acquired through learning.

Function

The purpose and roles of different memory systems.

Capacity

The amount of information a memory system can hold at any given moment.

Duration

The length of time a memory system can hold information.

Atkinson-Shiffrin multi-store model of memory

A model with three types of storage that encode, store, and retrieve information.

Atkinson-Shiffrin multi-store model of memory process

incoming sensory information → sensory memory —attention—> short-term memory —encoding—> long-term memory —storage—> long-term memory —retrieval—>

Encoding (forming)

The conversion of information into a usable form for storage in memory.

Storage

The retention of encoded information over time.

Retrieval

The process of accessing stored information.

Sensory memory

Briefly stores raw sensory information.

Iconic memory

Stores visual sensory information for a very short duration.

Iconic memory duration

0.2 - 0.4 seconds

Iconic memory capacity

unlimited capacity

Echoic memory

Stores auditory sensory information

Echoic memory duration

3 - 4 seconds

Echoic memory capacity

unlimited capacity

Eidetic memory (photographic memory)

A visual memory with an extended duration.

Short-term memory (STM)

Temporarily stores a limited amount of information, that is actively manipulated

Chunking

A technique to increase the capacity of short-term memory.

Long-term memory (LTM)

Stores a potentially unlimited amount of information, possible permanently

how many types of long-term memory (LTM)

two types

Implicit memory

Memories formed and retrieved unconsciously (two subtypes; procedural & classically conditioned memory)

Classically conditioned memory

conditioned responses to conditioned stimuli through classical conditioning (e.g. tast aversions)

Classically conditioned memory encoded by

amygdala (encodes emotional components), hippocampus

Classically conditioned memory stored by

basal ganglia

Procedural memory

implicit memory that involves learned motor responses.

Procedural memory encoded by

cerebellum, basal ganglia

Procedural memory stored by

Cerebellum

Explicit memory (declarative)

Memories formed and retrieved consciously (two subtypes; episode & semantic memory)

Episodic memory

explicit memory consisting of personally experienced events.

Episodic memory stored by

neocortex

Episodic memory retrieved by

hippocampus

Semantic memory

explicit memory consisting of general knowledge or facts.

Semantic memory encoded by

amygdala (encodes emotional components), hippocampus

Semantic memory stored by

neocortex

Semantic memory retrieved by

frontal & temporal lobes

Sensory memory function

receives sensory info and stores it long enough to be analyzed by unconscious mental processes, and for a decision to be made about it (encoded into STM/LTM or not)

Short term memory function

receiving info from sensory memory and transferring it to and from long-term memory, maintains info in conscious awareness for immediate use

Long-term memory function

information storage for re-access and to use at a later time

Sensory memory capacity

potentially unlimited

Short-term memory capacity

7 +- 2 pieces of info

Long term memory capacity

potentially unlimited capacity

Sensory memory duration

momentary, 0.2 - 4 seconds

Short-term memory duration

temporary, 18 - 20 seconds (occasionally 30 seconds if renewed)

Long-term memory duration

potentially permanent (some info can be lost/inaccessible over time)

Brain structures involved in memory

Hippocampus, amygdala, basal ganglia, cerebellum, neocortex.

Hippocampus

encodes (forms), consolidates (sets), and retrieve explicit memories (works with amygdala to link emotions to explicit memories)

Hippocampus location

within the temporal midbrain

Amygdala

encodes emotional (implicit, calssically conditioned and explicit) memories

Amygdala location

within the temporal midbrain

Neocortex

stores explicit declarative memories

Neocortex location

top layer of the cerebral cortex

Frontal lobe

emotions, personality, movement

Parietal lobe

touch, pain, temperature, spatial awareness

Temporal lobe

hearing (auditory information)

Occipital lobe

sight (visual information)

Basal ganglia

encodes (forms) and stores implicit (procedural) memories and classically conditioned memories (unconscious habits, behaviours, procedures)

Cerebellum

encodes and stores implicit (procedural) memories

Cerebellum location

base of the brain, beside the brainstem

Alzheimer's disease

A neurodegenerative disease affecting memory.

Alzheimer’s disease in the brain

cerebral cortext extremely shrunk, hippocampus extremely shrunk, ventricles severely enlarged

Alzheimer’s disease causes

amyloid plaques (protein deposits), neurofibrillary tangles, cortical shrinkage, imbalance acetycholine (neurotransmitter)

Alzheimer’s disease symptoms

memory loss, personality change, confusion, confusion, disorientation, repetition

Mnemonics

Techniques to enhance memory encoding, storage, and retrieval.

Mnemonics are

any technique used for improving or enhancing memory

Mnemonics add

info to organise the material in a long-term memory, ma

Mnemonics organise

info to a cohesive whole and connects new info to existing info

Mnemonics work

best for remembering info that needs to be memories but not understood

Methods of mnemonics in written culture

method of loci (location), acronym, acrostic

Written culture

Sharing and preserving information through reading and writing.

Method of loci

committing a familiar location/sequence of locations to memory and visualling linking them with info that needs to be recalled

How does method of loci enhance memory

each location acts as a retrieval cue that make it easer to retrieve the info when it’s needed, if the visual association is eprson in nature or bizarre, the info will be easier to recall

Acronym

involves using the first letter of each word to be remembered to create a pronounceable word or name

How does an acronym enhance memory

each letter acts as a retrieval cue for the first letter of each word to be recalled (e.g. ARMMR → Attention. Retention, Reproduction, Motivation, Reinforcement)

Acrostic

a phrase (or poem) where the first letter of each word functions as a cue to help with recall

How does an acrostic enhance memory

the first letter of each words acts a retrieval cue for the first letter of each word to be recalled (e.g. Never Eat SOggy Weet-bix → North South East West)

Oral culture

Sharing information and stories through word of mouth.

Sung narratives

Stories shared through singing to enhance memory.

how do sung narratives enhance memory

songs evoke emotions, which increase the memorability of the performance and therefore of the knowledge encoded (formed) within it

Song lines

Performances linking important sites and knowledge through song to aid memory, conducted as a family or community travels through country

How do song lines enhance memory

uses rhythm and narrative to communicate info linked to the landscape which enhances encoding of this info - acts as retrieval cue for the location of each significant site and specific rituals that occurs there