7.1 Memory Processes and Models

Memory Overview

• Introduction to Memory

  • Memory is not a unitary ability; it consists of many different subtypes.

  • Understanding memory requires examining multiple facets rather than viewing it as a single entity.

The Atkinson-Shiffrin Model

• Developers: Richard Atkinson and Richard Shiffrin.

• Core Components:

  • Memory consists of both stores and control processes.

  • Stores:

  • Defined as holding containers for memory information.

  • Control Processes:

  • Mechanisms that facilitate the movement of information between different stores.

• Types of Stores:

  1. Sensory Memory

  2. Short-term Memory

  3. Long-term Memory

Sensory Memory

• Characteristics:

  • Very large capacity store; can hold a vast amount of information.

  • Limited in duration; retains information only for a brief period.

  • Collects sensory information from the environment (visual and auditory data).

• Control Process: Attention assists in transferring information from sensory memory to short-term memory.

• Subtypes of Sensory Memory:

  1. Iconic Memory:

  • Sensory memory specifically for visual information.

  1. Echoic Memory:

  • Sensory memory specifically for auditory (sound) information.

Understanding Capacity Limitation

• Conceptual Evidence:

  • The Spurling task is significant in demonstrating sensory memory capacity.

• Task Types:

  1. Whole Report Task:

  • Participants view a grid of letters for a fraction of a second.

  • They are then asked to recall as many letters as possible.

  • Generally reported only 3-4 letters, suggesting limited capacity.

  1. Partial Report Task:

  • Similar setup, but participants hear a tone indicating which row to recall after seeing the grid.

  • This method shows that all letters were in sensory memory, allowing recall of the specific row indicated by the tone.

  • Demonstrates that the capacity of sensory memory is larger than initially suggested by the whole report task.

Analogy for Sensory Memory

• Pool of Water Analogy:

  • Sensory memory is likened to a large pool of water (information) that drains quickly.

  • Whole Report Task:

  • Drawing water (remembering letters) from the pool, by the time the next retrieval occurs, water (information) has drained away, leading to perceived limits.

  • Partial Report Task:

  • Adding dye to the pool (tones used to indicate rows) allows retrieval of different colored water (information), indicating that the capacity exists even if it fades quickly.

Interaction with Attention

• Attention as Control Process:

  • Attention acts like a bucket that allows certain information from sensory memory to be brought into conscious awareness (short-term memory).

• Spotlight of Attention:

  • Attention selectively focuses on certain units of information, similar to shining a spotlight on a stage.

• Demonstration Experiment:

  • Gorilla Experiment:

  • Participants focus on counting specific team passes while a gorilla walks through.

  • Results show that many participants fail to notice the gorilla, highlighting shortcomings of selective attention.

• Change Blindness Experiments:

  • Involves alternating images with subtle differences.

  • Participants struggle to find differences unless their attention falls on the right area.

  • If attention does not land on the changed element, the individual is unaware of the change.

Conclusion

• Implications:

  • The rapid fading of sensory memory necessitates a strong role for attention in memory processing, enabling selective focus and conscious awareness.

  • Understanding the Atkinson-Shiffrin model provides valuable insight into how we encode, retain, and recall information in our memory systems.