Memory - CP

What is memory?

The process of encoding, storing, and retrieving information.

Why is memory important?

It supports learning, recalling past events, and understanding the world.

How does the multi-store memory model work (Atkinson and Shiffrin, 1968)?

Input into sensory memory

Use attention and in short-term memory

Rehearse info so in long term memory (decay can happen)

What is sensory memory?

A pre-attentive store holding sensory information briefly.

How long does sensory memory last?

~2 seconds unless attended to.

Can sensory memory be retrieved?

No - information is not consciously store

What are the 5 types of sensory stores?

Iconic (visual)

Echoic (auditory)

Haptic (touch)

Olfactory (smell)

Gustatory (taste)

What is short-term memory?

Temporary storage of small amounts of information.

What is STM duration?

~30 seconds. (extended by rehearsal)

What is STM capacity?

~7 ± 2 units (Miller, 1956; debated).

How is STM information lost?

Displacement (not decay).

What is chunking?

Grouping information into meaningful units to increase capacity.

Why is STM fragile?

Easily disrupted by distraction or suppression.

What is working memory?

System for temporarily storing and manipulating information.

What is the central executive of the working memory?

Controls and coordinates attention and memory.

What is the phonological loop of working memory? - Baddeley and Hitch

Stores verbal and auditory information.

What is the visuospatial sketchpad of working memory? - Baddeley and Hitch

Stores and manipulates visual/spatial information.

What is the dual-task paradigm?

Performance declines when doing two tasks at the same time

What is long-term memory?

Storage of information over long periods.

What is interference?

When memories compete and cause confusion.

What is cued retrieval?

Retrieval triggered by cues (e.g. smell).

What is searched retrieval?

Asked a Q and retrieve the memory

What is episodic memory (explicit/declarative)?

Personal experiences.

What is semantic memory (explicit/declarative)?

Facts and general knowledge.

What is procedural memory (implicit/non-declarative)?

Skills and habits (automatic).

What is emotional memory (implicit/non-declarative)?

Feelings linked to experiences.

What are the 3 stages of long-term memory?

Encoding, storage and retrieval

What is the key idea of levels of processing?

Deeper processing leads to better memory.

What 3 ways are used to extract information coming in?

Structural processing (intonation)

Acoustic (sound)

Semantic (meaning)

Why does deeper processing improve memory?

Creates semantic networks that aid retrieval.

What is recall?

Retrieving information without prompts.

What is cued recall?

Retrieval with hints or prompts.

What is recognition?

Identifying information when presented.

What are unprompted memories?

Spontaneous memories triggered by stimuli.

What is context-dependent memory?

Better recall in the same environment as learning.

What are false memories?

Remembering events that did not occur.

What is memory decay?

Fading of memory over time.

What are 6 common signs of memory difficulties?

Forgetting recent events

Losing track of stories

Missing appointments

Poor organisation

Losing items

Word-finding issues

What is retrograde amnesia?

Loss of past memories.

What is anterograde amnesia?

Inability to form new memories.

What is dissociative amnesia?

Memory loss due to trauma/stress

What is Alzheimer's disease?

Memory loss starting with recent events.

What is vascular dementia?

Memory issues due to reduced blood flow.

What is Lewy body dementia?

Memory loss with hallucinations and movement issues.

How does depression/anxiety affect memory?

Emotional distress impairs memory function.

How does ADHD affect memory?

Working memory difficulties.

How does ASD affect memory?

Strong working memory in some areas, weaker in others.

How does stroke affect memory?

Depends on the brain area affected