4.1.2 MEMORY

What is the multi-store model of memory?

The multi-store model (Atkinson and Shiffrin, 1968) suggests that memory consists of three separate stores: the sensory register, short-term memory, and long-term memory.

What is the sensory register?

The sensory register is the initial memory store that receives information from the senses.

What are the features of the sensory register?

• Coding: modality-specific (e.g. visual, auditory)
• Capacity: very large
• Duration: very short (milliseconds to a few seconds)

What is short-term memory (STM)?

STM is a temporary store that holds information currently being used.

What are the features of short-term memory?

• Coding: mainly acoustic
• Capacity: about 7 \pm 2 items
• Duration: about 18–30 seconds without rehearsal

What is long-term memory (LTM)?

LTM is a permanent memory store for information that has been rehearsed.

What are the features of long-term memory?

• Coding: mainly semantic
• Capacity: potentially unlimited
• Duration: potentially lifelong

How does information move between stores in the MSM?

Information moves from the sensory register to STM through attention and from STM to LTM through rehearsal.

What happens if information is not rehearsed in STM?

It is lost through decay.

What is the working memory model?

The working memory model (Baddeley and Hitch, 1974) explains short-term memory as an active system with multiple components.

What is the central executive?

The central executive controls attention and coordinates the other components of working memory.

What are the features of the central executive?

• Coding: flexible (depends on task)
• Capacity: very limited

What is the phonological loop?

The phonological loop processes auditory information and speech.

What are the components of the phonological loop?

The phonological store (inner ear) and the articulatory process (inner voice).

What are the features of the phonological loop?

• Coding: acoustic
• Capacity: limited

What is the visuo-spatial sketchpad?

The visuo-spatial sketchpad processes visual and spatial information.

What are the features of the visuo-spatial sketchpad?

• Coding: visual and spatial
• Capacity: limited

What is the episodic buffer?

The episodic buffer integrates information from different components and links STM with LTM.

What are the features of the episodic buffer?

• Coding: multi-modal
• Capacity: limited

What is interference?

Interference occurs when memories compete with each other, causing forgetting.

What is proactive interference?

Proactive interference is when old memories interfere with the recall of new memories.

Give an example of proactive interference.

Remembering an old phone number instead of a new one.

What is retroactive interference?

Retroactive interference is when new memories interfere with the recall of old memories.

Give an example of retroactive interference.

Forgetting last year’s teacher’s name after learning a new one.

What is retrieval failure?

Retrieval failure occurs when information is stored but cannot be accessed due to missing cues.

What is a cue?

A cue is a trigger that helps us recall information from memory.

What is cue-dependent forgetting?

Forgetting that occurs when appropriate retrieval cues are not present.

What is the encoding specificity principle?

Memory is best recalled when cues at recall match those present at encoding.

What is eyewitness testimony?

Eyewitness testimony is the account of an event given by people who witnessed it.

How do leading questions affect EWT?

Leading questions can alter a witness’s memory by suggesting an answer.

What is an example of a leading question?

“How fast were the cars going when they smashed into each other?”

What is post-event discussion (PED)?

PED occurs when witnesses discuss the event after it has happened.

How does post-event discussion affect EWT?

It can lead to memory contamination and conformity.

What is anxiety in relation to EWT?

Anxiety refers to emotional arousal during a witnessed event.

How can anxiety negatively affect EWT?

High anxiety can impair recall due to the narrowing of attention.

How can anxiety positively affect EWT?

Moderate anxiety can enhance recall by increasing alertness.

What is the cognitive interview?

A police interview technique designed to improve the accuracy of eyewitness recall.

What are the main techniques of the cognitive interview?

1. Context reinstatement
2. Report everything
3. Reverse order
4. Change perspective

What is context reinstatement?

Mentally recreating the situation and environment of the original event.

Why is the cognitive interview effective?

It uses psychological knowledge of memory and retrieval cues to enhance recall.