Chapter 9 - The Knowing Mind

Question 1

info processing model

Answer 1

compares human brain to a computer
1. encoding
2. storage
3. retrieval

Question 2

3-stage model of memory

Answer 2

• proposed by Atkinson-Shrifflin in 1968
• 3 areas:
  1. sensory memory
  2. short-term memory
  3. long-term memory

Question 3

sensory memory

Answer 3

• raw sensations before perception
• large capacity, short stay
  iconic = photo (less than a second)
  echoic = auditory (3-4 seconds)

Question 4

short-term memory

Answer 4

• limited capacity (7 +/- 2 chunks)
• limited time (30 seconds)
• rehearsal keeps info longer
• chunking allows more storage

Question 5

long-term memory

Answer 5

• (theoretically) unlimited storage
• detail level varies
• info can be permanent but distorted
• feeds back into STM

Question 6

LTM types

Answer 6

1. procedural (muscle memory, accessed implicitly, resistant to amnesia)
2. episodic (personal experiences)
3. semantic (general knowledge)

Question 7

hippocampus

Answer 7

memory “gateway” (save button)
- used for explicit memory (words, events, smells, sights) transferred during sleep

Question 8

cerebellum & basal ganglia

Answer 8

store implicit (automatic) memories
- includes classical conditioning & procedural memories

Question 9

amygdala

Answer 9

connects emotions to memories (flashbulb)

Question 10

conceptual networks

Answer 10

memories = stored/retrieved by connecting with other memories (your brain keeps files)
- this is why memories are prone to reconstruction/inaccuracies

Question 11

elaborative rehearsal

Answer 11

connecting the new memory to existing memories

Question 12

anterograde amnesia

Answer 12

inability to learn new memories, most common

Question 13

retrograde amnesia

Answer 13

inability to recall old memories, less common

Question 14

amnesia

Answer 14

usually due to damage to the hippocampus