PSYC1003 Study Guide - Final Guide: Cognitive Flexibility, Neurogenesis, Amygdala
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Test 4: Material Overview
Chapter Seven: Memory
Human memory
Three major memory processes:
Encoding: involves forming a memory code or putting information into memory.
Storage: involves maintaining coded information in memory over time.
Retrieval: involves recovering information from memory stores.
Encoding
The first step in getting information into memory is to pay attention to it.
Attention: involves focusing awareness on a narrowed range of stimuli or events.
Selective Attention: filter stimuli
Theories on Selective Attention
Early-selection models: input is filtered before meaning is processed.
Late-selection models: filtering occurs after the processing of meaning.
cocktail party phenomenon
Cognitive Load:
Complicated tasks = early filter
Simpler tasks = later filter
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Divided Attention:
Reductions in memory performance
Difficulty focusing their attention on two or more inputs simultaneously!
Levels of Information Processing
Structural encoding: relatively shallow processing that emphasizes the physical structure of the
stimulus.
Phonemic encoding: intermediate processing--emphasizes what a word sounds like.
Semantic encoding: deep processing-- emphasizes the meaning of verbal input.
Deeper levels of processing, lead to progressively better retention!
Enrich Encoding
Elaboration:
linking a stimulus to other information at the time of encoding
thinking of examples
Self-Referent Encoding:
making information personally meaningful
Visual Imagery:
creation of visual images to represent words to be remembered
easier for concrete objects
Dual-Coding:
either code can lead to recall
Memory Storage
Information processing approach: divides memory into 3 different stores
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Sensory memory: information preserved in its original sensory form for a brief time.
Sensory memory appeared to decay after about ¼ second.
Short-term memory: a limited-capacity store that can maintain unrehearsed information for up to
about 20 seconds.
Limited duration ( 20 sec)
Limited capacity (7 plus or minus 2)
Improving Short-Term Memory
Rehearsal: repetitively verbalizing or thinking about the information―keeping it in use.
Chunking: group of similar stimuli stored as a single unit.
Working Memory
complex model of short-term memory
limited capacity storage system that temporarily maintains and stores information by
providing an interface between perception, memory, and action
Working memory capacity (WMC): one’s ability to hold and manipulate information in
conscious attention
Four Components of Working Memory:
1. The phonological rehearsal loop is active when one uses recitation to temporarily hold on to
information
2. The visuospatial sketchpad allows temporary holding and manipulation of visual images
3. The executive control system handles the information juggled at one time as people engage in
reasoning and decision making
Document Summary
Encoding: involves forming a memory code or putting information into memory. Storage: involves maintaining coded information in memory over time. Retrieval: involves recovering information from memory stores. The first step in getting information into memory is to pay attention to it. Attention: involves focusing awareness on a narrowed range of stimuli or events. Early-selection models: input is filtered before meaning is processed. Late-selection models: filtering occurs after the processing of meaning. Difficulty focusing their attention on two or more inputs simultaneously! Structural encoding: relatively shallow processing that emphasizes the physical structure of the stimulus. Phonemic encoding: intermediate processing--emphasizes what a word sounds like. Semantic encoding: deep processing-- emphasizes the meaning of verbal input. Deeper levels of processing, lead to progressively better retention! Elaboration: linking a stimulus to other information at the time of encoding thinking of examples. Creation of visual images to represent words to be remembered. Information processing approach: divides memory into 3 different stores.
