Psych chapter 8: memory

Memory

 process of encoding, storage, and retrieval

Encoding

get information into memory

ex: Checking in books from a library

Storage

retaining information into memory

ex: putting each book in the library

Retrieval 

recalling information from memory

ex: bringing books out form the shelf

Shallow processing

surface level of an item with no meaning

ex: that object (bed) has four legs and a mattress

Intermediate processing

stimulus is recognized and labeled

ex: “that object is a bed!”

deep processing 

meaningful, symbolic characteristics are used 

ex: the bed is used for sleep in order to be good students

Memory consolidation

process in which long-term memory is because durable and stable

ex: remembering vocab words for a test 

Long-term potentiation (LTP)

Strengthening Connection between neurons

“NEURONS THAT FIRE TOGETHER WIRE TOGETHER"

Where is memory stored?

all parts of the brain 

Tip-of-the-Tongue States (TOT)

you feel you know a word but cannot retrieve it

Context-dependent memory

Come up with similar words

Sensory Memory

Information is quickly lost if not passed to short term memory

fraction of a second 

Working memory (short term memory)

30 second of memorable information

needs memory consolidation in order to make it long term memory 

Long term memory

memory up to a lifetime 

Primacy effect

people have a good memory for items at a beginning of a list

long term memory

Recency effect

people also have a good memory for items at the end of a list

short term memory 

Anterograde Amnesia

Inability to form new memories for information encountered after brain damage

retrograde amnesia

loss of old memories for information encoded before brain damage

Explicit memory (declarative)

requires conscious effort and often can be verbally described

Ex: “What did you do for your birthday?”

“What did you eat?”

What does MTL amnesia or Alzheimer's disease cause?

loss of tissue in the Medial temporal lobe, inability to remember events just learned

Semantic knowledge

loss of tissue in the Anterior temporal lobe, confused concepts

ex: I went to the restaurant and ate… that thing…

Implicit memory

does not require conscious effort and often cannot be verbally described

ex: riding a bike, swimming 

Classical conditioning

Learning by linking two things together so that one causes the same reaction as the other.

ex: when kids hear an ice cream truck music, it makes them want to go outside and get ice cream 

procedural conditioning

motor skills

ex: learning to tie your shoe

Episodic memory

memory from specific events or episodes

How does the MTL (hippocampus) support episodic memory?

helps with forming and retrieving episodic memories

ex: my 10th birthday, first day of school 

Some advantages of a failing memory?

Helps up retain important information

Proactive interference

older information disrupt ability to remember new information 

ex: I studied arabic in hs, but in college i study spanish

Retroactive interference

newer information disrupts ability to remember old information