STM, WMM + learning (5)

Brain and cognition lecture 5

What is short-term working memory?

Short-term working memory is a mental workspace that allows us to temporarily retain and manipulate a restricted set of information components to perform activities like reasoning and learning.

How does short-term memory (STM) differ from working memory?

STM refers to the retention of basic processing information for simple tasks

What is the “magical number” related to STM capacity?

The “magical number” is 7±2

What is chunking in the context of STM?

Chunking involves storing chunks of information that are meaningful groupings of individual elements

How can expertise affect STM capacity?

Expertise allows individuals to create more chunks of information

What did Cowan propose regarding STM capacity?

Cowan suggested the STM capacity is around 3-5 chunks for various tasks.

What are the main components of Baddeley’s model of working memory?

Baddeley’s model includes the phonological loop

What is the role of the phonological loop in working memory?

The phonological loop stores and processes verbal information for brief periods.

What evidence supports the need for the phonological loop?

A patient (PV) displayed normal learning with native word pairs but failed to learn new vocabulary

How is the visuo-spatial sketchpad (VSSP) conceptualized according to Logie?

Logie proposed that VSSP includes different stores for visual (visual cache) and spatial information (inner scribe).

What is the episodic buffer?

The episodic buffer is a component added by Baddeley to integrate information from the phonological loop and visuospatial sketchpad with long-term memory.

What is the main function of the central executive in working memory?

The central executive retains attentional focus, selective attention, dividing attention and inhibition control

What did Atkinson and Shiffrin identify as a critical process for transferring information to long-term memory?

They identified rehearsal as essential for transferring information from STM to LTM.

What is the distinctiveness effect in memory?

The distinctiveness effect refers to how memory traces stand out when processed differently

What does the retrieval demands theory suggest?

It suggests that encoding processes enhance memorability based on the type of retrieval required

What is the testing effect in memory retrieval?

The testing effect is the phenomenon where testing one's memory on information leads to better long-term retention compared to simple restudying.

How does retrieval practice benefit memory?

Retrieval practice strengthens memory traces and aids in the recall of additional related information.

What is the relationship between semantic processing and memory retention?

Deeper semantic processing leads to stronger and longer-lasting memory traces compared to shallow processing.

What is the significance of the hippocampus in memory?

The hippocampus is crucial for forming new relational memories and storing long-term memories.

How do amnesia patients typically perform on STM tasks?

Amnesia patients usually perform well on STM tasks that require basic processing but poorly on LTM tasks.

What does the dual-memory theory propose regarding testing and memory?

It proposes that restudying strengthens original memory traces

How have multi-component models developed our understanding of working memory?

Multi-component models account for complex tasks and different functions performed by each component in working memory.

What are the limitations of the multi-store memory model?

The model fails to address complex aspects of cognition and assumes a serial transfer of information between stores.

What does the levels of processing theory emphasize?

It emphasizes that the depth at which information is processed affects memorability

Why is semantic processing considered effective for memory?

Semantic processing is effective because it enhances the encoding and retrieval of information

What challenges arise from assessing depth of processing in memory research?

It can be difficult to measure and explain how depth of processing contributes to memory performance

What is the role of rehearsal in memory according to multi-store models?

Rehearsal is critical for maintaining information in STM and facilitating its transfer to LTM.

How does distinctiveness affect memory retrieval?

Distinctive items are more likely to be remembered because they stand out from others

What role does feedback play in the context of testing and memory?

Feedback during testing reinforces original memory traces and contributes to forming new associations.

How does the structure of long-term memory relate to working memory?

Working memory acts as an active processor that interacts with and retrieves information from long-term memory.

What experiments have tested the limits of visuo-spatial capacity in working memory?

Studies have shown that accuracy in recalling visually or spatially arranged objects drops significantly when array size exceeds four items.

How does the neural basis of memory contribute to understanding cognitive processes?

Neuroimaging data links areas of the brain active during memory tasks to activation levels during working memory tasks

What is one challenge in understanding the functions of the central executive?

Identifying the exact number and nature of the main executive processes involved in managing complex tasks is challenging.

What type of information do the visual cache and inner scribe in the visual-spatial sketchpad store?

The visual cache stores visual information regarding object shapes and colors