Memory

Memory:

Memory – the internal record of some previous event, a process in which information is encoded, stored and retrieved

Memory involves 3 aspects:

Encoding – Conversation of information into a form that can be stored by the brain

Storage – Information that is held for various amounts of time

Retrieval – The process that locates stored information and return it to consciousness as required

Multi-store Model of Memory – Atkinson & Shiffrin 1968

Three separate stages:

1.     Sensory Memory

2.     Short-term Memory

3.     Long-term Memory

Each stage is characterised by 3 differences:

1.     Capacity: how much info can be stored

2.     Duration: how long can the info be stored

3.     Function: what is done with the stored info

Sensory Memory:

Overview:

-        Refers to info from the senses

-        Allows you to develop a representation of a stimulus

-        Main function is to hold incoming info long enough to be processed further

-        5 separate sensory registers act as temporary storage bins for the different senses

-        Info remains in sensory registers for varying amounts of time (auditory longer than visual

Includes:

-        Iconic memory: Visual memories

-        Echoic memory: Sound/auditory memories (there are also sensory registers for smell, touch and taste)

Info that is considered important is attended to and passed onto short-term memory

Short-Term Memory:

Overview: Refers to the info you are aware of. The current thoughts, words and images available for decision making and problem solving

Working Memory is the current preferred term of STM. It allows us to mentally work with or manipulate info.

Rehearsal enables info to be retained in STM for longer than usual and to transfer material to LTM (long-term memory)

There are 2 kinds of rehearsal:

1.     Maintenance Rehearsal: remembering info for immediate use, not to transfer to LTM. Often repeating, for example a phone number for immediate use

2.     Elaborative Rehearsal: Active processing and encoding of info by associating it with other info in LTM to make it more meaningful so it can be stored in LTM for later use. e.g. relating things in this psych course with events in my life

Chunking is also used to increase WM (working memory) capacity. This was a result of George Miller’s 1956 study on STM capacity

Chunking: the process of combining info into larger, meaningful groups based on patterns

Long-term Memory:

Overview: Long-term memory (LTM) is a relatively permanent store of info. Info moves from STM to LTM through physical changes in neurons and neural networks to make associations and hence the storage permanent.

There are 2 types:

1.     Procedural memory

2.     Declarative memory (two types)

Procedural memory – The way you do things, the ‘how to’ of memory. The memory of actions and skills learned. Also called ‘implicit memory’ as it’s not a conscious memory process and mainly refers to learning of motor skills. Require little effort to retrieve (automatic) as skills are well established and learned.

Declarative memory – The ‘what’ of memory. The memory of declaring how things are or what you remember. Also called ‘explicit memory’ requires conscious effort for retrieval

It has two types:

1.     Episodic memory

2.     Semantic memory

Episodic memory – The memory of specific past or personal events. It’s your interpretation of an experience in your life. Remembered because of the importance to you personally. Linked to feelings and sensations and to a particular time

Semantic memory – The memory of facts and info based on understanding and interpretation, often spoken or written material.