Questions and Answers
What is the main function of the central executive in the working memory system?
Which of the following statements accurately describes primacy effects in short-term recall?
What characteristic distinguishes short-term memory (STM) from long-term memory (LTM)?
What evidence supports the distinction between STM and LTM?
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Which component of the working memory system deals with visual and spatial information?
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What impact does language efficiency have on the phonological loop?
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What is the approximate capacity of short-term memory?
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Which of the following best describes the type of coding primarily used in short-term memory?
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What is the average duration of iconic memory?
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What phenomenon primarily causes forgetting in long-term memory?
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Which memory type is responsible for holding auditory information for a brief period?
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What is one primary difference between short-term memory and long-term memory?
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The 'magical number seven' refers to what aspect of memory?
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Which of the following statements about working memory is accurate?
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Study Notes
Understanding Memory
- Memory can be viewed as stored knowledge or as active cognitive processes.
- Three primary types of memory include sensory memory (iconic and echoic), short-term memory (STM), and long-term memory (LTM).
Sensory Memory
- Iconic memory pertains to visual stimuli, while echoic memory relates to auditory information.
- Iconic memory lasts a few hundred milliseconds, whereas echoic memory can last 3-4 seconds.
Short-term Memory (STM)
- Limited capacity known as the "magical number seven" suggests the ability to hold around 5-9 items simultaneously.
- STM typically decays within 20 seconds if not rehearsed.
- Information in STM is coded phonetically.
Long-term Memory (LTM)
- LTM has an unlimited capacity for storage.
- Forgetting in LTM is predominantly due to interference rather than decay.
- LTM coding is primarily semantic, relying on the meaning of information.
Serial-position Effects
- Primacy effect: Early items on a list are more likely to be transferred to LTM.
- Recency effect: Items at the end of a list are temporarily retained in STM.
Neuropsychological Evidence
- Cases such as Clive Wearing and patient HM illustrate distinct differences between STM and LTM.
- These cases highlight the importance of the hippocampus in forming new memories.
Working Memory
- Comprised of the central executive, episodic buffer, phonological loop, and visuo-spatial sketchpad.
- The phonological loop processes auditory information, while the visuo-spatial sketchpad handles visual and spatial tasks.
Central Executive Function
- The central executive directs attention and coordinates information from the "slave systems" in working memory.
- It may be responsible for attentional limitations and conscious awareness in cognitive processes.
Demonstrations of Memory Systems
- The speed of speech can impact the digit span in the phonological loop.
- Language efficiency influences how effectively we can store and manipulate verbal information.
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Description
Explore the concepts of memory, including its various types such as sensory, short-term, and long-term memory. This quiz covers iconic and echoic memory along with working memory principles. Test your understanding of memory recall and the processes involved.
