Memory

Memory

1. The multi-store model - Atkinson and Shiffrin 1968

   • Composes three separate stores
     • Sensory Memory
       • Has several stores called sensory registers
         • echoic register process sound, iconic register processes vision, haptic register process touch
         • not under cognitive control
         • first storage system for incoming information
         • Information received is raw and unprocessed
       • large capacity but duration is milliseconds unless given focused attention to (it will then move to the short-term memory
     • Short-term memory
       • rehearsal maintains information in the STM
       • very limited duration (decay) unless rehearsed and very limited capacity so information can be lost by new information being encoded (displacement)
     • Long-term memory
       • unlimited duration and unlimited capacity
       • LTM is mainly encoded semantically, but is also encoded acoustically with 7+/-2 items and a duration of up to 18 seconds

2. Types of Long-term memory

   • Divided into two main types of memory
     • Declarative memory - 'knowing that' - helps us recall facts
       • Subdivided into episodic and semantic memories
         • Episodic
           • Consist of memories such as our thoughts and experiences
           • based on events that occur in peoples lives
           • strength of episodic memories is determined by the emotions present at the time the memory is being coded
           • Traumatic life events may be recalled better due to the strong emotional attachment
           • pre-frontal cortex of the brain is linked to the initial coding of episodic memories and consolidation and storage associated with the neocortex.
         • Semantic
           • knowledge, facts, concepts and meanings the individual has learnt
           • strength of semantic memory is positively correlated with the strength of processing that occurs when coding with semantic memories - this means it lasts longer than episodic memories
           • Semantic LTM is linked to episodic LTM with semantic memories formed based on experiences that occur.
           • Semantic coding is mainly associated with the frontal and temporal lobes - there is controversy with what parts of the brain are involved
     • Procedural memory - 'knowing how' - helps us recall procedures such as how to tie a tie and ride a bike
       • Skill based memory and focused on recalling how to do something
       • Procedural memories are usually learn’t through repetition and practice
       • Procedural LTM is linked to the neocortex brain areas within the primary motor cortex, cerebellum and prefrontal cortex.
         • Does not rely on the hippocampus to function
     • Evaluation

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