EXP3604 Chapter 4 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What can strain your memory while calculating your expenses?

the difficulty of keeping all this material in your working memory.

Why is working memory especially important?

it keeps some items active, so that we can use these items when we are working on a relevant task.

What does working memory allow you to do?

keep information accessible so that you can use it on a variety of current tasks.

What is one important function of working memory?

to coordinate your current mental activities. Signup and view all the answers

Why is working memory useful in daily life?

it is flexible, so that you can work on a variety of tasks within a short time period. Signup and view all the answers

Who provides the best statement about the difference between laboratory research and everyday life in relation to working memory?

Glencora: 'People work on a greater variety of tasks in everyday life, compared to the laboratory.' Signup and view all the answers

According to George Miller, what is a chunk?

the basic unit in short-term memory. Signup and view all the answers

How did Solange remember her friend's zip code?

by creating chunks out of the zip code. Signup and view all the answers

Why is George Miller's article from 1956 important in cognitive psychology?

it focused on a cognitive process—mentally converting the stimulus—at a time when most psychologists focused on people's external behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What was nontraditional about Miller's article on the 'magical number seven'?

Miller's article emphasized active mental processes, rather than simply focusing on the stimulus and the response. Signup and view all the answers

What is the researcher likely measuring if they ask you to recall several words after counting backwards for half a minute?

short-term memory. Signup and view all the answers

What technique is used when repeating a phone number to yourself to remember it?

rehearsal. Signup and view all the answers

What did the research by John Brown, Lloyd Peterson, and Margaret Peterson show?

after many previous trials, people had difficulty recalling the stimuli, even with only a short delay. Signup and view all the answers

What do you call a graph that shows the relationship between the order of topics covered and the class's accuracy on test items?

serial position curve. Signup and view all the answers

How is the recency effect related to short-term memory?

The final words in a list are recalled accurately because they are still in short-term memory. Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon describes recalling the last four names accurately from a list read by an announcer?

the recency effect. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for recalling movies seen in the last two weeks more accurately?

the recency effect. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Working Memory

Working memory refers to the mental capacity that allows individuals to store and manipulate information for short periods of time.
It plays a crucial role in everyday cognitive tasks by keeping relevant items active for immediate use.
An essential function is coordinating ongoing mental activities.

Importance and Flexibility

Working memory enables flexibility, allowing individuals to switch between various tasks effectively.
Everyday life poses a wider range of tasks compared to controlled laboratory environments, highlighting differences in performance.

Chunking Concept

George Miller's seminal 1956 article introduced "chunks" as the basic units of short-term memory.
Chunking refers to the process of grouping information to enhance recall, as evidenced by example: recalling a zip code by associating it with personal significant numbers.

Cognitive Processes

Miller's research shifted focus in psychology from observable behavior to the cognitive processes involved in memory, emphasizing active mental engagement.
This approach was considered nontraditional at the time, paving the way for further exploration of cognitive mechanisms.

Short-Term Memory Measurement

Measurement in psychological research often involves tasks like recalling words after distractions, indicating the assessment of short-term memory.
Techniques like rehearsal, where information is repeated to aid memory retention, are commonly utilized.

Experimental Techniques

Research conducted by Brown, Peterson, and Peterson revealed that recall accuracy declines significantly after even short delays when counting backward distractively.
This technique demonstrated the fragility of short-term memory and how it can be disrupted.

Recency Effect

The recency effect refers to the phenomenon where the most recently presented information is recalled more accurately due to retention in short-term memory.
This effect is evident in recalling names or items presented last, such as winners in an athletic event or movies watched recently.

Serial Position Curve

A serial position curve graphically represents how recall accuracy varies based on the order of items presented.
It illustrates that initial and recent items are often recalled with greater accuracy compared to those in the middle.

Memory and Time

Recall of information tends to be heightened for items encountered recently, underlining the impact of temporal proximity on memory accuracy.

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Test your understanding of Chapter 4 from EXP3604 with these flashcards. Each flashcard focuses on key concepts related to working memory and its importance. Perfect for reinforcing learning and preparing for assessments.