PSYCHOLOGY: MEMORY

memory - the processing, storage and retrieval of information acquired through learning (an active processing system that encodes, stores and recovers information when recquired)

function - purpose and roles

capacity - the amount of information it can hold at any given moment

duration - the length of time it can hold information

Atkinson-Shiffrin multi-store model of memory - a model about the memory system, with three separate types of storage that work together to help use encode, store and retrieve information

Atkinson-Shiffrin multi-store model of memory process - incoming sensory information → sensory memory —attention—> short-term memory —encoding—> long-term memory —storage—> long-term memory —retrieval—>

encoding (forming) - conversion of info into a usable form so that it can be neurologically represented and stored in memory

storage - retention of the encoded information over time

retrieval - process of accessing info that has been stored in LTM and bringing it back into

sensory memory - a store of memory that very briefly stores raw information detected by the senses (0.2-4 seconds, unlimited capacity)

iconic memory - stores visual sensory information

iconic memory duration - 0.2-0.4 seconds

iconic memory capacity - unlimited capacity

echoic memory - stores auditory sensory information

echoic memory duration - 3-4 seconds

echoic memory capacity - unlimited capacity

eidetic memory (photographic memory) - a visual sensory memory with an extended duration

short-term memory (STM) - a store of memory that temporarily stores a limited amount of information that is consciously being attended to and actively manipulated

chunking - a memory technique that can increase the capacity of short-term memory

long-term memory (LTM) - stores a potentially unlimited amount of information for a very long period of time, possible permanently (two types of LTM)

implicit memory - memories formed and retrieved unconsciously or unintentially (involves simple classically conditioned responses e.g. fear and anxiety) (memory without awareness) (two subtypes: procedural memory and classically conditioned memory)

classically conditioned memory - conditioned responses to conditioned stimuli acquired through classical conditioning (includes fear/anxiety, taste aversions, simple reflex responses)

classically conditioned memory encoded by - amygdala (encodes the emotional components of the memory), hippocampus

classically conditioned memory stored by - basal ganglia

example of classically conditioned memory (aversion to yoghurt) - if you develop a taste aversion to yoghurt; after tasting or eating it and you feel nauseated, so you feel sick every time you see or think about yoghurt; the memory of the sick feeling comes into your conscious awareness automatically, without any deliberate effort because of the past association

procedural memory - a type of implicit memory that involves simple motor responses that have been learned previously (memories of ‘how to do something’)

procedural memory encoded by - cerebellum, basal ganglia

procedural memory stored by - cerebellum

explicit memory (declarative) - memories that are formed and retrieved by conscious and deliberate effort (memory with awareness) (two subtypes: episodic memory and semantic memory)

declarative memory (explicit) - are explicit memories (semantic and episodic)

episodic memory - a type of explicit memory consisting of personally experienced events (autobiographical memory) (declarative memory)

episodic memory encoded by - amygdala (encodes emotional component of the memory), hippocampus

episodic memory stored by - neocortex

episodic memory retrieved by - hippocampus

semantic memory - a type of explicit memory consisting of general knowledge or facts (declarative memory)

semantic memory encoded by - amygdala (encodes emotional components of the memory), hippocampus

semantic memory stored by - neocortex

semantic memory retrieved by - frontal & temporal lobes

sensory memory function - receiving sensory information from the environment, enables perceptual continuity for the world around us

short-term memory function - receiving information from sensory memory and transfers information to and from long-term memory, maintains information in conscious awareness for immediate use

long-term memory function - information storage for re-access and use at a later time

sensory memory capacity - vast, potentially unlimited

short-term memory capacity - 7 +- 2 pieces of information

long-term memory capacity - potentially unlimited capacity

sensory memory duration - momentary, about 0.2-4 seconds occasionally up to seconds

short-term memory duration - temporary, 18-20 seconds occasionally up to 30 seconds, longer if renewed

long-term memory duration - potentially permanent, some information be lost or inaccessible over time, indefinite

brain structure involved in memory - hippocampus, amygdala, basal ganglia, cerebellum, neocortex

hippocampus - a brain structure that encodes (forms), consolidates (sets) and retrieves explicit memories (works with amygdala to link emotions to explicit memories

hippocampus location - within the temporal midbrain

amygdala - a brain structure that encodes emotional (implicit classically conditioned and explicit) memories (particularly related to fear)

amygdala location - within the temporal midbrain

neocortex - a brain structure that stores explicit (declarative) memories

neocortex location - top layer of the cerebral cortex

frontal lobe - emotions, personality, movement

parietal lobe - touch, pain, temperature, spatial awareness

temporal lobe - hearing (auditory information)

occipital lobe - sight (visual information)

basal ganglia - encodes (forms) and stores implicit (procedural) memories and classically conditioned memories (associated with unconscious habits, behaviour or procedures)

basal ganglia location - deep within the cerebral hemispheres

cerebellum - encodes and stores implicit (procedural) memories

cerebellum location - at the base of the brain, beside the brainstem

alzheimer’s disease - a neurodegenerative disease resulting from a loss of neurons, characterised by loss of episodic memory

alzheimer’s disease in the brain - cerebral cortex extremely shrunk, hippocampus extremely shrunk, ventricles severely enlarged

causes of alzheimer’s disease - amyloid plaques (protein deposits), neurofibrillary tangles, cortical shrinkage, imbalance in acetycholine (neurotransmitter)

alzheimer’s disease symptoms - memory loss (expecially declarative memories), personality change, confusion and disorientation, repetition

mnemonics - increase the encoding, storage and retrieval of information

mnemonics are - any technique used for improving or enhancing memory

mnemonics add - information to organise the material in a long-term memory, making it easier to locate and retrieve

mnemonics organise - information to a cohesive whole - and connect new info to existing info - so partial memory retrieval generally assists entire retrieval

mnemonics work - best for remembering informations that needs to be memorise but is not necessarily understood

methods of mnemonics in written culture - loci, acronym, acrostic

written culture - a culture in which stories and information are shared and preserved through the processes of reading and writing

method of loci - committing a familiar location or sequence of locations to memory and visually linking these locations with info that needs to be recalled

how does method loci enhance memory - each location acts as a retrieval cue that make it easer to retrieve the info when it’s needed, if the visual association is eprson in nature or bizarre, the info will be easier to recall

acronym - involves using the first letter of each word to be remembered to create a pronounceable word or name

how does an acronym enhance memory - each letter acts as a retrieval cue for the first letter of each word to be recalled (e.g. ARMMR → Attention. Retention, Reproduction, Motivation, Reinforcement)

acrostic - a phrase (or poem) where the first letter of each word functions as a cue to help with recall

how does an acrostic enhance memory - the first letter of each words acts a retrieval cue for the first letter of each word to be recalled (e.g. Never Eat SOggy Weet-bix → North South East West)

oral culture - a culture that involve people who communicated vital information and spread stories via word of mouth

sung narratives - stories that share important cultural, ecological and survival information through the use of singing, harmony, rhythm

how do sung narratives enhance memory - enhance the encoding and retrieval of vital cultural knowledge

song lines - multimodal performances conducted as a family or community travels through country, they record journeys, link important sites and describe ways to live * to care for country

how do song lines enhance memory - use rhythm and narrative to communicate info linked to the landscape which enhances encoding of this info - acts as retrieval cue for the location of each significant site and specific rituals that occurs there