Cognitive Psychology: Short-Term & Working Memory

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Questions and Answers

Match the components of working memory with their descriptions:

Phonological loop = Concerned with the storage, processing and manipulation of information Central executive = Temporary storage of visual information Visuospatial sketch pad = Process responsible for rehearsal that keeps information from decaying Articulatory rehearsal process = Handling spatial information and visual imagery

Match the effects in the phonological loop with their descriptions:

Phonological similarity effect = Memory for lists of words is better for short words than for long words Word length effect = Letters or words that sound similar are confused Limited capacity = Only holds information for a few seconds Rehearsal process = Takes longer to rehearse long words and to produce them during recall

Match the types of memory with their characteristics:

Short-term memory = Concerned with the storage, processing and manipulation of information Working memory = Holds information for a brief period of time Visual short-term memory = Limited capacity for temporary storage and manipulation of information Phonological loop = Handles spatial information and visual imagery

Match the researchers with their contributions to the working memory model:

Baddeley and Hitch = Proposed the concept of short-term memory Hitch = Introduced the concept of the central executive Baddeley = Developed a model of working memory with multiple components None of the above = Proposed the concept of visual short-term memory Signup and view all the answers

Match the information with the correct description of working memory:

Temporary storage and manipulation of information = Description of short-term memory Limited capacity for complex tasks = Description of working memory Storage, processing, and manipulation of information = Description of the phonological loop Handles different types of information simultaneously = Description of the central executive Signup and view all the answers

Match the following memory types with their characteristics:

Sensory memory = Holds all incoming information for seconds or fractions of a second Short-term memory = Can hold a large amount of information for years or even decades Long-term memory = Holds five to seven items for about 15 to 20 seconds Control processes = Active processes that can be controlled by the person Signup and view all the answers

Match the following researchers with their contribution to the study of memory:

Atkinson and Shiffrin = Proposed the modal model of memory in the 1960s Unknown = Identified the three types of memory: sensory, short-term, and long-term William James = Developed the concept of the 'stream of consciousness' Freud = Focused on the role of memory in shaping personality Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their definitions in the context of memory:

Structural features = Active processes that can be controlled by the person Control processes = The initial stage that holds all incoming information for seconds or fractions of a second Modal model = A type of memory that can hold a large amount of information for years or even decades Sensory memory = Features of many memory models proposed in the 1960s Signup and view all the answers

Match the following memory models with their characteristics:

Modal model = Contains features of many memory models proposed in the 1960s Structural model = Emphasizes the active processes involved in memory Sensory model = Focuses on the initial stage of memory that holds all incoming information Long-term model = Holds five to seven items for about 15 to 20 seconds Signup and view all the answers

Match the following statements with their corresponding memory type:

Memory that holds information for seconds or fractions of a second = Short-term memory Memory that holds a large amount of information for years or even decades = Sensory memory Memory that holds five to seven items for about 15 to 20 seconds = Long-term memory Memory that can be controlled by the person = Control processes Signup and view all the answers

Match the following components of the Modal Model of Memory with their descriptions:

Sensory Memory = Retention of information in long-term memory for extended periods of time Long-term Memory = Retention, for brief periods of time, of the effects of sensory stimulation Working Memory = The process of retrieving information from long-term memory to Conscious Awareness Rehearsal = The process of briefly storing information from the environment Signup and view all the answers

Match the following research methods with their descriptions:

Whole Report Method = Participants asked to report a specific row of letters after being presented with an array of letters Partial Report Method = Participants asked to report as many letters as possible from an array of letters Rehearsal Method = A method used to measure the capacity of working memory Sperling's Method = A method used to measure the duration of sensory memory Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts with their descriptions:

Persistence of Vision = The ability to retain information in long-term memory Trail of Light = A phenomenon where the human eye retains an image for a brief period of time Rehearsal = A strategy used to improve memory retention Frames in Film = A series of still images that create the illusion of motion Signup and view all the answers

Match the following components of the Modal Model of Memory with their functions:

Sensory Memory = Temporary storage of information from the environment Working Memory = Retention of information for brief periods of time Long-term Memory = The process of briefly storing information from the environment Rehearsal = The process of retrieving information from long-term memory to Conscious Awareness Signup and view all the answers

Match the following research findings with their descriptions:

Sperling's Study = Found that participants could report an average of 4.5 out of 12 letters Miller's Study = Found that the capacity of working memory is 7 ± 2 chunks Rachel's Study = Found that rehearsal improves memory retention Signup and view all the answers

Match the following components of the Modal Model of Memory with their characteristics:

Sensory Memory = Stores small amounts of information for a brief duration. Short-Term Memory = Brief sensory memory of the things that we see. Iconic Memory = Responsible for persistence of sound. Echoic Memory = Responsible for persistence of vision. Signup and view all the answers

Match the following experimental designs with their results:

Sperling's (1960) partial report experiments = Performance decreases rapidly due to rapid decay of iconic memory. Measuring duration of short-term memory = Participants performed at 80% after 3 seconds of counting. Delayed partial report method = Participants performed at 10% after 18 seconds of counting. Modal Model of Memory = Average of 3.3 out of 4 letters (82%) Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts with their explanations:

Decay = The vanishing of a memory trace due to the passage of time and exposure to competing stimuli. Iconic Memory = Responsible for persistence of sound. Echoic Memory = Brief sensory memory of the things that we see. Sensory Memory = Stores small amounts of information for a brief duration. Signup and view all the answers

Match the following components of the Modal Model of Memory with their durations:

Sensory Memory = Brief duration. Short-Term Memory = Three seconds. Iconic Memory = Eighteen seconds. Echoic Memory = A fraction of a second. Signup and view all the answers

Match the following experimental methods with their descriptions:

Sperling's (1960) partial report experiments = Read three letters, then a three-digit number. Measuring duration of short-term memory = Presentation of tone delayed for a fraction of a second. Delayed partial report method = Begin counting backwards by Threes. Modal Model of Memory = Participants could report any of the rows. Signup and view all the answers

Match the researchers with their findings on working memory:

Funahashi et al. = Neurons in the prefrontal cortex respond during a delayed-response task and continue to respond during the delay. Slattery et al. = Working memory is involved in reading comprehension and uniquely predicts word reading. Goldman-Rakic = Working memory is not involved in attentional tasks. Bruce = Monkeys without a prefrontal cortex have difficulty holding information in working memory. Signup and view all the answers

Match the brain regions with their functions in working memory:

Prefrontal cortex = Involved in storing information in working memory. Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex = Involved in mnemonic coding of visual space. Phonological loop = Involved in reading comprehension. Visual cortex = Not involved in working memory. Signup and view all the answers

Match the tasks with the working memory system involved:

Delayed-response task = Visuospatial sketchpad. Alphabetic decoding = Phonological loop. Reading comprehension = Central executive. Attentional task = Prefrontal cortex. Signup and view all the answers

Match the descriptions with the stages of working memory:

The fixation X goes off = Stage (c) - The monkey demonstrates its memory for the location of the square. The cue square is flashed at a particular position = Stage (a) - The neuron responds to the cue. The neuron continues to respond during the delay = Stage (b) - The neuron responds during the delay. The neuron stops responding = Not a stage of working memory. Signup and view all the answers

Match the researchers with the journals they published in:

Funahashi et al. = Journal of Neurophysiology. Slattery et al. = APA Journal. Goldman-Rakic = Nature Neuroscience. Bruce = Not specified. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of attention in the Feature Integration Theory?

To aid in the combination of features from different stimuli Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the preattentive stage in the Feature Integration Theory?

It is an automatic and subconscious process Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of Treisman and Schmidt's 1982 experiment?

Participants reported combinations of features from different stimuli Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between bottom-up and top-down processing in the Feature Integration Theory?

Bottom-up processing is driven by sensory information, while top-down processing is driven by expectations Signup and view all the answers

What was the characteristic of the patient R.M. with Balint's syndrome?

They were unable to focus attention on individual objects Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the preattentive stage in the Feature Integration Theory?

Objects are broken down into their features Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of attention in the combination of features in the Feature Integration Theory?

To combine features from different stimuli Signup and view all the answers

What is the key difference between the results of Treisman and Schmidt's 1982 experiment and the performance of participants who were told to focus on objects?

The participants who were told to focus on objects could correctly pair shapes and colours Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of episodic memories in terms of future events?

To create simulations of future events and anticipate future needs and outcomes Signup and view all the answers

What is the key characteristic of procedural memory?

The memory of skills and actions without recalling where or when they were learned Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the presentation of a stimulus that changes a person's response to a test stimulus?

Priming Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary finding of the Graf et al. (1985) experiment?

Amnesiac patients performed poorly on recall tests but well on implicit memory tests Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between episodic memory and implicit memory?

Episodic memory is conscious, while implicit memory is unconscious Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the memory of skills and actions that can be performed without conscious awareness of how to do them?

Procedural memory Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of mind wandering in terms of memory?

To create simulations of future events and anticipate future needs and outcomes Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of patients who cannot form new long-term memories, such as Patient H.M.?

They can still learn new skills through procedural memory Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism driving the adaptation of neurons to respond to common environmental stimuli?

Experience-dependent plasticity Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the ventral pathway in perception?

Determining the identity of an object Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of movement on perception, compared to remaining static?

More complex perception Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism driving the development of schemas in perception?

Experience-dependent plasticity Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the dorsal pathway in perception?

Determining the location of an object Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of constant coordination between perception and action in the brain?

Constant coordination Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism driving the association of diamonds with Tiffany's?

Familiarity with environments Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of moving around a stimulus to perceive it?

Offering more views to create accurate perceptions Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary explanation for the reduction in performance in recalling three letters after a set time in the short-term memory study?

Decay, the vanishing of a memory trace due to the passage of time and exposure to competing stimuli Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical range of items that can be remembered in a digit span task, according to the studies?

Five to eight items Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of chunking in improving memory capacity, according to the text?

Converting small units into larger, more meaningful units Signup and view all the answers

According to the study by Ericsson and coworkers (1980), what was the initial digit span of the college student before training in chunking?

Seven items Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum duration of short-term memory, according to the studies?

15 to 20 seconds or less Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of short-term memory, according to the text?

To store small amounts of information for a brief duration Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of counting backwards by threes on the recall of three letters in the short-term memory study?

It reduces the recall of the three letters due to interference Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the digit span task, according to the text?

To measure the capacity of short-term memory Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the articulatory rehearsal process in the phonological loop?

To prevent decay of information in the phonological store Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of articulatory suppression on memory span?

It reduces memory span by preventing rehearsal in the phonological loop Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the central executive in working memory?

To control the suppression of irrelevant information Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of perseveration in working memory?

Repetitive performance of the same action or thought, even if it is not achieving the desired goal Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the episodic buffer in Baddeley's revised working memory model?

To act as a backup store that communicates with long-term and working memory components Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of the phonological similarity effect on memory?

It causes letters or words that sound similar to be confused Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the mental rotation task in Shepard and Metzler's study?

It showed that tasks that called for greater rotations in the mind took longer Signup and view all the answers

What is the explanation for the word length effect in memory?

It takes longer to rehearse and produce long words during recall Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Preattentive and Feature Integration Theory

Objects are analyzed into features during the preattentive stage, a subconscious and automatic process requiring no effort.
Treisman and Schmidt’s 1982 experiment showed participants reporting illusory conjunctions, combining features from different stimuli.
Correctly pairing shapes and colors occurs when participants focus exclusively on the objects presented.
A case study of patient R.M. with Balint’s syndrome revealed difficulties in focusing attention on individual objects, leading to increased illusory conjunctions.
Feature Integration Theory primarily relies on bottom-up processing, with top-down processing occurring when expectations influence perception.

Memory Processes and Implicit Memory

Memory processes involve retaining, retrieving, and using information about stimuli, events, and skills.
Implicit memory encompasses learning without conscious awareness, including procedural memory, priming, and conditioning.
Procedural memory allows for skill execution without recollection of where or when the skill was learned, exemplified by patient H.M.
Priming influences responses to stimuli, as demonstrated by Graf et al. (1985) where amnesiac patients performed better on implicit tests despite poor explicit recall.

Neuronal Interaction and Perception

Neuron interactions explain regularities and inferences in perception; certain neurons are tuned to respond to familiar environmental patterns.
Experience-dependent plasticity results from familiarity with environments, altering brain structure through experience.
Perception and action are intertwined; actions taken affect how stimuli are perceived, with multiple viewpoints leading to more accurate perceptions.

Memory Models

The Modal Model of Memory outlines three memory types: sensory memory, short-term memory (STM), and long-term memory (LTM).
Sensory memory holds information for seconds, while STM retains five to seven items for about 15-20 seconds.
A reduction in STM performance can be attributed to decay and competing stimuli, with digit span tasks indicating typical memory capacity.

Short-Term and Working Memory

Chunking improves memory by converting smaller pieces of information into larger, meaningful units.
The phonological loop maintains verbal information via rehearsal, while the articulatory rehearsal process prevents decay.
The phonological similarity effect and word length effect impact memory performance, where similar sounds and longer words create additional challenges.
Baddeley’s model of working memory includes the phonological loop, visuospatial sketch pad, and central executive for processing complex tasks.

Sensory Memory and Duration

Sperling’s delayed partial report experiment demonstrated rapid decay of iconic memory, confirming the fleeting nature of sensory memory.
Iconic and echoic memory are responsible for visual and auditory persistence, respectively.
The central executive operates as an attention controller, managing focus and suppressing irrelevant information.

Working Memory's Role in Learning

Working memory is crucial for complex tasks, held differently than short-term memory, which focuses primarily on temporary storage.
The phonological loop and visuospatial sketch pad support simultaneous processing of different information types.
Children’s reading development heavily relies on working memory for decoding letters and understanding text, impacting word reading and comprehension.

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Explore the concepts of short-term and working memory, including their roles in processes like remembering phone numbers and doing math problems. Learn how memory interacts with sensory information and more!