Chapter 6 - Memory

Question 1

Memory and its process

Answer 1

the storage of learned information for retrieval and future use

Process of memory:
- Encoding
- Storing
- retrieval

Question 2

Encoding

Answer 2

the process of forming a memory by putting attention or focused awareness on a stimulus or event

Question 3

Types of Processing/Encoding

Answer 3

• Automatic: unconscious encoding of everyday information and well learned information
• Effort: encoding that requires attention and conscious effort
  • E.g. Study aids, Chunking,

Question 4

What Can Be Encoded

Answer 4

• Visual: encodes images
• Auditory/Acoustic: encodes sound
• Semantic: encodes meaning, definitions, languages
• Mental organization

Question 5

Types of Effort Processing Strategies

Answer 5

• Chunking
• Mnemonics

Question 6

Recoding

Answer 6

our memory’s way of making associations between the new information and things we already know

• Becomes the framework for our ability to retrieve
• Can also be seen through taking information from one form and converting it into a way that makes sense to us.

Question 7

Storage

Answer 7

maintaining encoded information in memory over a period of time

• Explained by the 3 stage processing model or the Information Processing Model of Memory

Question 8

Sensory Memory

Answer 8

the first stage in forming explicit memories and records immediate and brief information which is fleeting in nature

Question 9

Types of Sensory Memory

Answer 9

• Iconic memories: sensory memory of pictures and images which last 1/4 a second
• Echoic memory: sensory memory of sounds which lasts up to 3 secs

Question 10

Ways We Can Move Information From Sensory Memory to STM

Answer 10

• Pattern Recognition: actively searching through long term memory in an effort to find a match to the new information
• Attention: by paying attention to a stimulus, the more likely it will be created into a new memory in STM

Question 11

Short Term Memory(STM)

Answer 11

memory used for short term retention which unless rehearsed is forgotten

• Capacity of 7±2 bits of information
• 30 second duration

Question 12

Working memory

Answer 12

retains and uses information and memories to Helps us process, organize and manipulate information to encode into LTM

• is a part of short term memory but not the same thing
• Varies with age
• More efficient when working on one task at a time, like consciousness

Question 13

Cognitive Load Interview:

Answer 13

allow the person to tell their story from beginning to end and the interviewee asks heaps of questions throughout the story telling about different points in time of the story

• Makes interview more demanding for the person to accurately remember the story and see if its truthful or made up

Question 14

Types of Rehearsal

Answer 14

• Maintenance Rehearsal: the process of repeatedly verbalizing or thinking about information
• Allows you to hold it for more time in short term memory
• Elaborative Rehearsal: connecting new information with previously stored and already existing memory structures in LTM
• Helps move information to LTM

Question 15

Long Term Memory(LTM)

Answer 15

• Unlimited capacity
• Infinite duration

Question 16

Different Types of Memories in LTM

Answer 16

Explicit: memories that are consciously recalled

• Semantic: memories of facts and general knowledge
• Episodic: memory of personal events

Implicit: memories that are unconsciously recalled

• Procedural: performing tasks or skills

Question 17

How The Main Types of LTM Memories are built

Answer 17

• Explicit memories are built through effort processing requiring conscious attention experience and practice
• Implicit memories are built through automatic processing using classically conditioned associations without conscious attention

Question 18

Flashbulb Memories

Answer 18

clear memories of emotionally significant events

• Excitement or stress provokes the amygdala to boost activity in the memory forming areas of the brain

Question 19

Retrieval Cues

Answer 19

anchor points for pathways that can be used to access a memory

• Cues formed during encoding are the best ones
• Something which aid a person in recalling information

Question 20

Serial Position Effect

Answer 20

the tendency to recall best parts of information at the beginning and end of a list

• Primacy Effect: first items are better remembered as they have had time to be encoded into LTM
• Recency Effect: final items are still in Short Term working memory only having just been aware of them

Question 21

Reasons for Forgetting: Storage Decay

Answer 21

as we get old information begins to decay

Question 22

Reasons For For Forgetting:
Encoding Failure

Answer 22

• Can be due to age related memory decline
• Due to conscious attention to limited portions of a vast number of stimuli

Question 23

Reasons for Forgetting: Retrieval Failure

Answer 23

when stored information can’t be recalled leading to forgetting

Question 24

Reasons for Retrieval Failure

Answer 24

3. Interference: some memories interfere with the retrieval of others

    ○ Proactive Interference: forward acting disruptive effect of older learning on the recall of new information
    ○ Retroactive interference: backward acting disruptive effect of newer learning on the recall of old information

Question 25

Reasons for Forgetting: Motivated Forgetting

Answer 25

the ability of people to suppress painful or unacceptable memories to protect their self-concept and minimize anxiety - Can ultimately be retrieved with a cue or during therapy - A form of suppression as it is conscious

Question 26

Reasons For Forgetting: Repression

Answer 26

in psychoanalytical theory, the basic defense mechanism that banishes from consciousness the thoughts, feelings, and memories that arouse anxiety - An unconscious act

Question 27

Reasons For Forgetting: Absentmindness

Answer 27

an encoding failure where the individual does not pay attention to details of a stimulus or event - E.g. putting car keys down somewhere and because you are moving quickly you forget where you put them later on

Question 28

Reasons For Forgetting: Tip of The Tongue

Answer 28

a retrieval failure where you are temporarily unable to retrieve information from memory

Question 29

Errors in memory: Misinformation Effect

Answer 29

occurs when a memory has been corrupted by misleading information - False memories can be implanted by hearing vivid retelling of an event

Question 30

Errors in Memory Construction: imagination effect

Answer 30

occurs when repeated imagining fake events or actions creates false memories

Question 31

Factors increasing errors in identifying Perpetrators(encoding)

Answer 31

- Poor Vision - Poor Viewing Conditions - Stress - Short Viewing Time - Delay in identification Different Race

Question 32

Ways to Decrease Errors in Identifying Perpetrators

Answer 32

- Suspects must be the same: ○ Race ○ Gender ○ Hair style/colour ○ Tattoos - Scars

Question 33

Ways to Show Suspects to Eye Witnesses

Answer 33

- In sequential Order - An example of absolute Judgment: a judgement about a single stimulus without the use of comparison - Simultaneously: - An example of Relative Judgement: witness chooses from the lineup by seeing who resembles the witnesses memory relative to the other lineup members

Question 34

Source Amnesia

Answer 34

the inability to remember where, when or how previously learned information was acquired while still retaining the knowledge - Associated with the malfunctioning of one's explicit memory