Exam 1

Behavior

any activity that can be in/directly observed

Learning

the process by which behavioral changes results from experience

Memory

the record of our past experiences acquired through learning

Nativist

Humans are shaped primarily by their inherited nature. Fixed at birth.

Empiricist

human are shaped primarily by their experience, nurture. Endless possibilities with the right experiences.

Supporter of Nativism

Plato (innate skill and talent) and Descartes (innate knowledge)

Supporters of Empiricism

Aristotle (knowledge and talent matters with training)and Locke (blank slate(Tabula Rasa), equal w/o innate knowledge, habits and skill due to experience)

Hermann Ebbinghaus

Conductor of the first rigorous experimental studies of human memory. Interest in forgetting and memory deterioration.

Retention Curve Creator

Hermann Ebbinghaus

Retention Curve

A measurement how. much information is retained at each point in time following learning.

Hypothesis

Prediction

Validity

Extent to which something measured what it claims to measure

Reliability

Consistency with which something is measured.

Stimulus

Any event that can potentially influence behavior

Response

Any particular instance of behavior

Scientific Method

Defining a problem, Specifying a testable hypothesis, choosing method, and operationlizing the variables

Dependent

What we are predicting

Independent

The predictors.

Limitating of Ebbinghaus Research

subject bias and experimenter bias

How to avoid the limitationg of Ebbinghaud research

Blind design and double-blind design

HM (Henry Molaison)

Had surgery to treat severe Epilepsy. Medial Temporal Lobe were removed on both sides. Developed Anterograde Amnesia (Couldn’t form new lasting memories). Could remember new things but ONLY in working memory

Anterograde Amnesia is

Lacking the ability to form NEW lasting memories.

HM Memory Systems were like

intact working memory, intact long-term memory, and had an impaired consolidation process.

Declarative (explicit)

A form of Long-Term memory, one that can be explicitly stated out loud. ex. remembering the first time you rode a bike.

Nondeclarative (implicit)

A form of long-Term memory, you can not specifically pick where you got that information. ex. remember how to ride a bike

Skill memories are…

Difficult to convey except by direct demonstration, May acquire without awareness, and require several repetitions.

Memories for events and facts are…

Can be communicated flexibility in different formats, Have content that is consciously accessible, and Can be acquired in a single exposure.

Two types of Declarative (explicit) memories

Episodic and Semantic

Episodic

A memory for specific autobiographical events ex. first kiss. where and when.

Semantic

A memory of facts and general knowledge ex. your mother’s name. you know it, but when did you LEARN it. no clue? semantic

Key Differences between episodic and semantic memory

Episodic always acquired after a single exposure get weakened by repeated exposure and always need spatial/temporal context while semantic is strengthened by repeated exposure, doesn’t need spatial/temporal info.

Three memory processes

Encoding → Storage/Consolidation → Retrieval

Encoding (def.)

Initial storage into memory

Storage/Consolidation

Maintain stored memory

Retrieval

Re-activate memory for further processing

What’s the initial storage into memory

Encode

Is mere exposure enough to encode new memories?

Nope. Simple repetition is not (penny exercise)

What dramatically helps memory?

Memory in context, if the information relates to prior knowledge.

Application

Skim a textbook for key points before you read its details

Depth of processing

The more meaningfully you analyze information at encoding, the stronger the retrieval.

Transfer-appropriate processing

Retrieval is more likely to occur, if cues were used at encoding and recall. maybe context is a factor ex. underwater vs beach learning.

Free Recall

Generate response from memory

Cued Recall

A prompt given to facilitate response gen

Recognition

Identify target from distracter items

False Memory

Memories can be modified and manipulaed ader encoding (ex. shown words wet, umbrella, puddle. Participants thought the word rain was there)

Common problems of memory failure

Forgetting, Interference, Misattribution, and False memory

Memory failure is also called

Interference

Two types of Interference

Proactive interference and Retroactive Interference

Proactive Interference

Old information interferes w/ New info

Retroactive Interference

New information interferes with Old info

Way to remember Proactive Interferencce

Previous Information

Way to rememer Retroactive Interference

Recent information

Memory misattribution

When info correct but associated with incorrect source

Source Amnesia

Information is correct but source not remembered at all. ex. party is here, idk how i know

Cryptomnesia

mistakeningly remembering someone else ideas as one’s own.

Is memory fixed or malleable

Malleable

Neuroscience

Study of the nervous system, especially the brain

Nervous System

Consist of the Central Nervous System and Peripheral Nervous System

What is the Central Nervous System consist of:

Brain and Spinal Cord

What does the Peripheral Nervous System

Motor and sensory neurons that connect the brain and spinal cord to the rest of body

What is the function of Central Nervous system (CNS)

Processes of information and generates behavioral plan

What is the function of Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Sensory neurons collect information ex. the motor neurons relay behavioral plan to muscles

What does the Brian consist of:

Cerebral cortex and subcortical structures

What is the Cerebral Cortex?

Tissues covering top and sides of the brain

What are the four lobes of the Cerebral Cortex

Frontal, Parietal, Temporal, and Occipital

What does the Frontal Lobe do?

Plan and perform actions

What does the Parietal Lobe have to with?

Sensory

What does the Temporal Lobe have to with?

Hearing

What does the Occipital  Lobe have to with?

Vision

What are the Subcortical Structures involved in learning and memor

Thalamus, Basal Ganglia, Hippocampus, and Amygdala, they are involved in learning and memory.

The cerebellum (small brain) is important for

Motor Control and Coordination

Basal Ganglia is involved with

Planning and producing SKILLED movements

Hippocampus is linked with

learning new facts and memory

Thalamus is involved with

receiving sensory information, to relay to brain

amygdala is linked to

emotions, emotional memories.

Who helped us determine that the hippocampus is needed to learn new facts

Clive Wearing

What are the two different types of Neuroimaging

Structural and Functional

Two examples of Structural Imaging

MRI and DTI, CT

Two examples of functional imaging (indirect)

FMRI and PET

What do the Neurons do?

process, collect, integrate and output information

What are the two languages of Neurons

Neurotransmitters and Actional Potentials

Neural Plasticity

Term to describe the way neurons are extremely dynamic and rewiring itself based on experience

What is the major downfalll of Functional Neuroimaging

The brain is constantly in use, ongoing so it’s harder to compare functions.

Neurophysiology

Studies the electrical and chemical functions of the nervous system

Are short-term memory and long-term memory distinct?

They are distinct

The Atkinson_Shiffrin Memory Model Says

Input → sensory →w/ attention → STM → ←LTM

Sensory Memory

Brief sensations of what you have just perceived

Which memory is the largest?

Sensory Memory but decays rapidly

Short-Term Memory (STM)

Has a small capacity (w/ quick decay and over-writing) but with rehearsals can be preserved and transfer to LTM.

STM vs. LTM (capacity)

STM is limited while LTM is unlimited

STM vs. LTM (consciousness)

STM required active consciousness but LTM is not currently in consciousness

George Miller Rule?

Magic # 7 plus or minus 2 (5 is the mode)

What is Recoding/Chunking?

Finding meaning in informations ex. 14921776 into year 1492 1776

Miller suggests STM hold between

5-9 pieces of info (digits or chunks)

Is Attention important for STM?

Yes, it determines duration, if you stop paying attention you lose the info

Rehearsal

Repeating information mentally to maintain attention

Baddeley’s Memory Model

Proposed that STM be re-conceived as working memory.

Working Memory

A workplace for the mind. It collects sensory input, activates relevant LTMs, and transforms info to suit needs.

What are the 3 components of Baddely’s Working Memory Model

Phonological Loop, Sketchpad, and Central executive