psychology U3AOS2 Memory

encoding

processing of information into the memory system

storage

the maintenance of encoded information over time

retrieval

process of getting information out of memory storage

sensory memory

immediate and very brief recording of sensory information in the memory system

short-term memory

activated memory that holds a few items briefly

long-term memory

relatively permanent and limitless storehouse of the memory system

working memory

newer understanding of short-term memory that involves conscious, active processing of incoming auditory and visual-spatial information

chunking

organising items into familiar, manageable units; often occurs automatically

iconic memory

momentary sensory memory of visual stimuli; lasts about 0.3 seconds

echoic memory

momentary sensory memory of auditory stimuli; sounds can be recalled within 3 or 4 seconds

implicit memory

retention independent of conscious recollection

explicit memory

memory of facts and experiences that one can consciously know and "declare"

hippocampus

neural center located in the limbic system that helps process explicit memories for storage

Maintenance Rehearsal

The process of repeatedly verbalising or thinking about the piece of information.

Elaborative Rehearsal

A memory technique that involves thinking about the meaning of the term, opposed to simply repeating the word over and over.

Episodic Memory

A category of long-term memory involved in the recollection of specific events, situations and experiences.

memory

the mental capacity or faculty of retaining and reviving facts, events, impressions or recalling and recognising previous experiences

procedural memory

one aspect of implicit memory; memory on how to perform particular tasks, skills or actions

semantic memory

long-term storage of facts that are not characterised by any particular personal context in which the individual acquired the factors

amygdala

A limbic system structure involved in memory and emotion, particularly fear and aggression.

Neocortex

The outermost part of the cerebral cortex; stores explicit memories

basal ganglia

involved in encoding and storing procedural memories and classically conditioned memories that are associated with unconscious habits, behaviours, or procedures.

capacity of short term memory

5-9 items

duration of short term memory

12-30 seconds without rehearsal

autobiographical events

personally lived experiences such as the first day of high school

Alzheimer's disease

A neurodegenerative brain disease linked to abnormal changes in brain tissue leading to increasingly severe deterioration of cognitive abilities, personal skills and behaviour, eventually causing death.

The two primary lesions associated with Alzheimer's Disease

neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques

neurofibrillary tangles

an abnormal build-up of protein inside neurons which is also associated with the death of neurons

amyloid plaques

a toxic protein that forms on axon terminals and disrupts communication between neurons

Aphantasia

individuals lack the capacity to generate mental imagery

mnemonics

techniques used to aid the encoding, storage and retrieval of information

written cultures

preserve and primarily share knowledge, stories and customs through writing and reading

oral cultures

preserve and primarily share knowledge, stories and customs through spoken word and movement

acronym

a mnemonic device in which the first letters of the item form a pronounceable word to aid memory (ROY B BIV)

acrostics

a mnemonic device in which the first letters of the item creates a phrase, rhyme or poem to aid memory (Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain)

method of loci

A mnemonic technique that involves visualising items on a list with a sequence of familiar physical locations

sung narratives

stories that share important information through the use of singing, harmony, rhythm and sometimes dance

Songlines, Australia

multimodal performances conducted as a family or community travels through Country and spaces in the landscape that record journeys, link important sites, and describe ways to live, care for, and nurture Country

capacity of sensory memory

virtually limited

capacity of long-term learning

almost infinite as it is continuously learning

strengths of atkinsons & shiffrin’s multi-store model of memory

-distinguishes between the different stores involved in memory

-outlines that each memory store has a different capacity and duration

-good understanding of the structure and process of memory

-support the distinction between STM and LTM

limitations of atkinson and shiffrin’s multi-store model of memory

-oversimplified

-does not account for individual differences in memory processes, storage duration and capacity

-ignores factors such as motivation and strategy, which can facilitate learning and assist in encoding information from STM to LTM

-STM is more complex than the model suggests

displacement through short term memory

STM can either decay due to a lack of rehearsal or be displaced by other/ new information

acetylcholine

a primary neurotransmitter involved in memory, reduced levels will interfere with the synaptic connections between neurons

brain atrophy

refers to a reduction in brain volume and the number of brain cells, including neurons and their connections

symptoms of alzheimer’s disease

1. impaired recent episodic memories then impaired semantic memories, hippocampus impacted first

2. short-term memory difficulties, personality changes and difficulty with decision making, judgement and thinking logically. neocortex is damaged, specifically frontal lobes

3. frequently confused or disoriented and difficulty with language and communication

4. difficulty retrieving procedural memory and completing basic tasks, cerebellum impacted

5. impaired autonomic NS functioning

symptoms of aphantasia

-difficult to retrieve personally lived experiences as they cannot generate vivid, detailed mental imagery of past autobiographical events from their long-term memory

-difficult to construct possible imagined future