The Memory System

Question 1

What is memory used for?

Answer 1

• to make correct decisions
• there are 3 aspects to memory
• short term sensory store: info kept for 1s and not important; it’s forgotten
• short term memory/working memory: lasts for 25-30s before we lose info and can only retain 5-9 items as a rule
• long term memory: past experiences and memory has limitless capacity. Once stored in LTM it’s not forgotten.
  -> believed to be stored as motor programmes/schema

Question 2

Short term memory store

Answer 2

• stimuli that enters brain has large storage capacity
• can only hold info fo 0.25-1s
• selective attention is used to filter important info
• other info that is irrelevant is immediately lost/forgotten

Question 3

Short term memory/working memory

Answer 3

• can hold 7 chunks of info
• 30s
• only info sent through STSS reaches STM
• to extend length of STM you must repeat info - verbal repitition + chunking
• info will only go into LTM if rehearsed/encoded
• if not done, info is lost/forgotten

Question 4

Long term memory

Answer 4

• capacity is unlimited
• can store info for long periods of time
• encoded info means it has been stored w/ meaning
• motor programmes are stored in LTM as they have been rehearsed many times
• over learnt skills are automatic - autonomous performer
• LTM/STM are diff bc LTM only stores info, STM decides what info it wants

Question 5

Working memory model: Baddeley and Hitch

Answer 5

• Central Executive
• Display -> phonological loop (sounds) visuospatial sketchpad (visual) <- episodic buffer (STM)
• Long term memory

Question 6

What is the central executive?

Answer 6

• control centre of working memory model, it uses 3 other systems to control all info moving in and out of memory system

Question 7

What is the phonological loop?

Answer 7

• deals w/ auditory info from senses and helps produce memory trace

Question 8

What is the visuospatial sketchpad?

Answer 8

• used to temporarily store visual and spatial info -> sight/where

Question 9

What is the episodic buffer?

Answer 9

• co-rodinates the sight, hearing and movement info and movement from working memory into sequences to be sent to LTM

Question 10

How does the working memory and LTM work together?

Answer 10

• working memory picks up relevant info from sproting environment
• selective attention is used
• working memory has links w/ LTM sending coded info for future storage/use
• working memory prodyces memory trace, a mental snapshot of the skill and works w/ LTM by sending the trace to be compared w/ info already stored in LTM
• LTM sends info back to working memory for use in current sporting situation

Question 11

How can a coach improve info processing in terms of sensory input/selective attention?

Answer 11

• change visual display such as bigger ball
• reduce cues so that learner isnt overloaded
• ensure basic skills are well learned to free up attention capacity
• reduce anxiety/arousal levels

Question 12

How can a coach improve info processing in terms of memory?

Answer 12

• provide lots of practice
• use phrases that help learner remember key points
• make sessions exciting/more memorable
• not moving on too quickly

Question 13

How can a coach improve info processing in terms of decision making?

Answer 13

• vary practice so learners experience a range of situations
• build up their LTM to enhance decision making.

Question 14

What strategies can be used to store information in LTM?

Answer 14

• rewards: extrinsic/intrinsic - helps motivate perfomer to want to remember correct actions
• association of actions you wish to learn w/ appropriate actions/emotions already stored in LTM
• mental practice - going over action in mind w/o physical movement
• chunking - breaking skills down into parts/sub-routines
• focus - concentrate on task + ignore distractions -> helps improve selective attention