Module 2.3-1 Studying Memory

1. What is memory?

   • Persistence of learning over time through the encoding, storage, and retrieval of information

2. The average person can recall how many digits?

   • 7 to 9

3. The average person can recognize how many faces?

   • 2500

4. Identify and explain the 3 retention measures for memory.

   • Recall- retrieving information that is not currently in your conscious awareness but was learned at an earlier time (ex. fill-in-the-blank)

   • Recognition - identifying previously learned material (ex. multiple choice)

   • Relearning - learning something more quickly when you learn it a second or later time

5. Additional rehearsal of information is known as what?

   • overlearning

Unit 2.3-2 Memory Models

6. Explain the following terms:

   • Encoding: process of getting information into the memory system

   • Storage: process of retaining encoded information over time

   • Retrieval: process of getting information out of memory storage

7. Explain parallel processing.

   • Processing multiple aspects of a stimulus or problem simultaneously

8. Identify and explain the three-stage multi-store model for memory:

   • Sensory Memory - immediate, very brief recording of sensory information in the memory system

   • Short-term Memory - briefly activated memory of a few items that is later stored or forgotten (ex. Phone number while you are dialing)

   • Long-term Memory - relatively permanent and limitless archive of the memory system (includes knowledge, skills, and experiences)

9. Explain working memory. Conscious and active processing of both

   1. Incoming sensory information (conscious)

   2. Information retrieved from long-term memory (active)

10. Describe the difference between maintenance memory and elaborative memory

1. Maintenance: rehearsal of information over time to prolong memory storage

2. Elaborative: rehearsing information in ways that promote meaning

11. Using Baddeley’s model from 2002, explain how each of the following is a part of the memory process.

1. Central Executive: memory component that coordinates the activities of the phonological loop and visuospatial loop (coordinates selective attention on a stimulus, without this focused attention, information typically fades)

2. Phonological Loop: memory component that briefly holds auditory information (repeating a phone number as you dial it)

3. Visuospatial Sketchpad: memory component that briefly holds information about object’s appearance and location in space

Module 2.3-3 Biological Processes of Memory 

12. What is neurogenesis? Formation of new neurons

13. Explain Long-Term Potentiation. Increase in a nerve cell’s firing potential after brief, rapid stimulation; neural basis for learning and memory

14. Explain what happens with electroconvulsive therapy or after  someone is knocked out.. New memories of recent events has not had time to process and are not part of your memory

Module 2.4 Encoding Memories

2.4-1 Dual-track Memory: Effortful Versus Automatic Processing

15. Explain the difference between explicit (declarative) and implicit (nondeclarative) memories.

1. Explicit: retention of facts and experiences that we can know and “declare”

2. Implicit: retention of learned skills or classically conditioned associations independent of conscious recollection

16. How do effortful and automatic processing work?

1. Effortful: encoding that requires attention and conscious effort

2. Automatic: unconscious encoding of incidental information, such as space, time, frequency, or familiar/well learned information such as sounds, smells, and word meanings

2.4-2 Automatic Processing and Implicit Memories

17. Implicit memories are usually what two types of memories? Procedural or conditioned associations (procedural memory and memories that are linked to classical conditioning)

18. Explain how the following are part of automatic processing:

    1. Space: when studying, you encode the place/page in notebook where certain material appears, might visualize location when you want to retrieve the information

    2. Time: when going about your day, you unintentionally note the sequence of events, when you lose something you think about the vent sequence and where you were

    3. Frequency: effortlessly keep track of events and realize later you have done something multiple times

19. Effortful processing and explicit memories are gained how? Practice, experience, and effort

2.4-3 Sensory Memory

20. Explain the following terms:

    1. Iconic Memory: momentary sensory memory of  visual stimuli, photographic or picture-image lasting no more than a few tenths of a second

    2. Echoic Memory: momentary sensory memory of auditory stimuli, 3-4 seconds

2.4-4 Short-Term Memory Capacity

21. What age group has better working memory? Young adults

22. How does task switching impact working memory? Reduces working memory

2.4-5 Effortful Processing Strategies

23. Explain chunking. Organizing information into familiar, manageable units; often occurs automatically

24. What are mnemonics? Memory aids, techniques that use vivid imagery and organizational devices

25. Explain the peg word system. Uses word association to help you remember things

26. Explain how hierarchies are used for memory. Composed of a few broad categories divided and subdivided into narrower concepts and facts

2-4.6 Distributed Practices

27. Explain the spacing effect. Tendency for distributed study or practice to yield better long-term retention than is achieved through massed study or practice

28. Massed practice (cramming) can produce speedy short-term learning and an inflated feeling of confidence.

29. What is the testing effect? Enhanced memory after retrieving, rather than rereading information, also called retrieval-practice or test-enhanced learning

30. Explain the difference between shallow and deep processing.

1. Shallow processing: encoding on a basic level, based on the structure or appearance of words

2. Deep processing: encoding semantically, based on meaning of the words, tends to yield the best retention

31. Explain the two types of shallow processing with words.

    1. Structural: a word’s letters

    2. Phonemic: a word’s sound

32. What happens if new information is neither meaningful nor related to our experience? We have trouble processing it