8.1 How Memory Functions

memory

system that senses, organizes, alters, stores and retrieves information

information processing model

assumes the processing of information for memory storage is similar to the way a computer processes memory in three stages

encoding

converting environmental and mental stimuli into memoral brain codes

storage

“holding on” to encoding information

retrieval

pulling information from storage

sensory memory

pattern recognition - icons (visual), echoes (auditory)

capacity- large but not limited

duration- very brief

selective attention

ability to focus on only one stimulus from all sensory input

levels of processing model

memory that assumes information that is more “deeply processed”, will be remembred more efficiently and for a longer period

short term memory

information is held for brief periods of time while being used

encoding- primarily in auditory form

limited capacity- 7 plus or minus 2

duration- 12-30 seconds without rehearsal

working memory

an active system that processes the information in short term memory

chunking

bits of info are combined into meaningful units, more info can be held in short term memory

maintenance rehearsal

repeating information to maintain it

long term memory

all information is placed to be kept more or less permanently

capacity- seemingly unlimited

duration- relatively permanent

procedural memory (implicit)

motor skills, habits, reflexes

declarative memory (explicit)

sematic- facts, general knowledge

episotic- events experienced by a person

retrieval cue

a stimulus for remembering

-the more cues stored, makes easier retrieval

state dependent learning

memories formed during a particular state will make it easier to remember in a similar state

types of retrieval

recall- information retrieved from memory with very little cues

tip of the tongue- feels as though one knows information but can only generate bits and pieces

recognition- ability to match a piece of information to a stored image or fact (ex. multiple choice)

serial position effect

primacy effect- more likely to remember the beginning

regency effect- more likely to remember the end