Louisiana_State_University_Shreveport_10

Memory Stages

Short Term Memory (STM)

• Capacity:

  • Can hold between 5 to 9 items (7 ± 2 items is a typical measure).

• Duration:

  • Lasts about 12 to 15 seconds, possibly up to 30 seconds.

Information Processing in STM

• Encoding Type:

  • Primarily sound-based (acoustic).

  • Information processed through sound must first be auditory before it can be retained in short-term memory.

• Errors in STM:

  • Acoustic Errors: Errors derived from sounds that are similar in form. Examples: 'mow' vs. 'no' or 'gold' vs. 'mowed'.

Working Memory

• Definition:

  • A component of short-term memory that is the active processing unit.

• Structure:

  • Central Executive: The main control system for directing attention and managing cognitive tasks.

  • Phonological Loop: Responsible for processing sound-based information.

  • Visuospatial Sketch Pad: Concrete images and spatial relations can be held in mind temporarily.

Long Term Memory (LTM)

• Capacity:

  • Considered limitless, can store virtually unlimited information.

• Duration:

  • Lasts for a lifetime, provided the information is meaningfully encoded.

• Encoding Type:

  • Primarily meaning-based (semantic).

Memory Types

1. Episodic Memory:

   • Personal memories linked to specific experiences (e.g., events like birthdays).

2. Semantic Memory:

   • Factual information (e.g., knowledge of cities, historical facts).

3. Procedural Memory:

   • Memory of skills or procedures (e.g., riding a bike).

Errors in Long Term Memory

• Semantic Errors: Confusions arising from a misunderstanding of meanings and facts (e.g., mixing alligators and crocodiles).

Memory Experiments

• Include serial position effects:

  • Primacy Effect: Better recall for items at the beginning of the list.

  • Recency Effect: Better recall for items at the end of the list.

Memory Pathologies

• Types of Amnesia:

  1. Anterograde Amnesia: Inability to form new memories post-event.

  2. Retrograde Amnesia: Loss of previously existing memories prior to an event.

  3. Transient Global Amnesia: Temporary inability to form new memories, not linked to trauma.

• Korsakoff Syndrome:

  • A disease resulting from alcohol abuse, manifesting as severe memory impairment, confusion, and fabricated memories (confabulation).

Additional Concepts

• Flashbulb Memories:

  • Vivid recollections of important events (e.g., where you were during pivotal incidents).

• Repressed Memories:

  • Traumatic experiences that are unconsciously blocked from recollection.

Signs of Memory Fading

• Mismanagement of finances, forgetting hobbies, repeating the same conversation points could be indicators of deteriorating memory.