cognitive views of memory

cognitive views of memory

1. information processing

   • taking in, storing, and using information

2. sensory memory

   • transforms stimuli into information
   • holds info very briefly

3. role of attention

   • attention
     • is selective
     • paying attention to selected stimuli and ignoring others
       • limits what we perceive and process
     • can only pay attention to one thing
   • automaticity
     • process that becomes automatic with practice
     • ex. driving

4. multitasking

   • sequential
     • switching focus
   • simultaneous
     • overlapping focus
   • tasks take longer

5. working/ short term memory

   • combining knowledge from long term memory and new information
   • lasts 5-20 seconds

6. central executive

   • part of working memory
   • responsible for monitoring and directing attention
   • makes plans
   • decides what information to retrieve

7. cognitive load

   • amount of resources necessary to complete a task

8. maintenance rehersal

   • repeating information
   • memorizing phone number

9. elaborative rehersal

   • connecting information you are trying to know with something you already know
   • ex. not having to repeat a name to keep it in your head if it's the same as your brother's

10. levels of processing theory

    • the more completely information is processed you remember it better

11. interference

    • new info gets confused with old info

12. decay

    • info lost by time