Memory Flashcards Psych Paper 1

Multi-Store Model of Memory (MSM)

A theoretical cognitive model by Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968) illustrating how the memory system processes information through sensory, short-term, and long-term stores.

Sensory Register

The first memory store in the MSM, which receives raw sensory impressions, has a very large capacity, is modality-specific, and has a very brief duration (approx. 250 milliseconds).

Short-Term Memory (STM)

The second memory store in the MSM, which receives information from sensory memory (via attention) or LTM (via retrieval). It has a limited capacity (7 \pm 2 items), a duration of about 18 seconds, and primarily uses acoustic coding. Information is maintained through rehearsal.

Long-Term Memory (LTM)

The third memory store in the MSM, characterized by theoretically unlimited capacity and permanent information storage. It primarily uses semantic coding, and forgetting is often due to inaccessibility rather than loss.

Primacy and Recency Effects

Phenomena observed by Glanzer and Cunitz where items at the beginning (primacy) and end (recency) of a list are recalled better, supporting the separation of STM and LTM in the MSM.

Declarative (Explicit) Memory

Memories that can be consciously accessed and articulated in words, including episodic and semantic memory.

Episodic Memory

A type of declarative memory relating to autobiographical experiences; it is time-stamped, often emotionally influenced, and associated with the hippocampus.

Semantic Memory

A type of declarative memory consisting of facts and general knowledge; it is consciously recalled but not time-stamped.

Non-Declarative (Implicit) Memory

Non-consciously recalled memories that are difficult to express in words, such as procedural memory.

Procedural Memory

A type of non-declarative memory involving skills and tasks, often learned in childhood; it operates unconsciously and is associated with the motor cortex and cerebellum.

Working Memory Model (WMM)

A model by Baddeley and Hitch (1974) proposing that short-term memory is an active processor rather than a passive store, comprised of the central executive, phonological loop, visuospatial sketchpad, and episodic buffer.

Central Executive (CE)

The component of the WMM that oversees attention, filters information, manages the other subsystems, and is limited to managing about four items at a time.

Phonological Loop (PL)

The component of the WMM that deals with sound information, consisting of the phonological store (inner ear) and the articulatory process (inner voice) for sub-vocal rehearsal.

Visuospatial Sketchpad (VSS)

The component of the WMM that processes visual and spatial information, consisting of the visual cache (form and color) and the inner scribe (spatial relationships).

Episodic Buffer

An additional component added to the WMM in 2000, which integrates and stores information from various sources and links to the Central Executive.

Interference Theory

A theory of forgetting positing that interference from other memories disrupts the recall of information, either proactively (old info interferes with new) or retroactively (new info interferes with old).

Proactive Interference

When old information interferes with the ability to learn or recall new information.

Retroactive Interference

When new information hampers the recall of previously learned information.

Cue-Dependent Forgetting

A theory of forgetting stating that the absence of appropriate retrieval cues during recall can lead to forgetting, even if information is stored in LTM.

Encoding Specificity Principle

States that cues present during encoding that match conditions at retrieval improve recall.

Reconstructive Memory (Bartlett)

Bartlett's theory that memory recall is not a straightforward retrieval but is actively reconstructed, influenced by previous knowledge and schemas, leading to potential distortions.

Leading Questions

Questions phrased in a suggestive manner that can distort an eyewitness's memory recall.

Post-Event Discussion

Discussions among witnesses after an event that can lead to memory conformity, altering individual accounts and potentially reducing accuracy.

Yerkes-Dodson Law

Suggests an optimal level of anxiety for memory performance; below or beyond this optimal level, memory recall accuracy decreases.

Cognitive Interview (CI)

A set of techniques designed to improve the accuracy of eyewitness recall