Psychology Chapter on Memory Types

Study Notes

Information Stored in Memory

Memory consists of three types: sensory, short-term, and long-term.

Sensory Memory

Known as working memory; facilitates temporary storage of stimuli.
Iconic memory focuses on visual stimuli.
Echoic memory is dedicated to auditory stimuli.
Haptic memory pertains to tactile sensations.

Short-Term Memory

Acts as a scratch pad for immediate recall.
Access time is rapid at approximately 70 milliseconds.
Information decays quickly, within around 200 milliseconds.

Long-Term Memory

Serves as a comprehensive repository for extensive knowledge.
Access and decay rates are slower compared to short-term memory.
Capacity is vast, often considered unlimited.

Types of Long-Term Memory

Episodic Memory: Memory of personal events in a sequential manner.
Semantic Memory: Memory of facts, concepts, and skills, which derives from episodic memory.

Semantic Memory Structure

Facilitates information access and reflects relationships among data.
Supports inference by allowing conclusions based on reasoning.

Models of Semantic Memory

Semantic Network Model: Conceptualizes inheritance from parent nodes to child nodes, depicting precise relationships and supporting inference.
Frames: Organize information into data structures, where slots represent values.
Scripts: Provide models of typical scenarios for context interpretation.
Production Rules: Represents procedural knowledge through condition/action rules that dictate actions based on conditions.

Long-Term Memory Storage and Retrieval

Rehearsal: Essential for transferring information from short-term to long-term memory.
Total Time Hypothesis: Retention is proportional to rehearsal duration.
Distribution of Practice Effect: Enhanced by spreading learning sessions over time.

Forgetting in Long-Term Memory

Decay: Gradual loss of information over time.
Interference:
- Retroactive interference occurs when new information replaces old.
- Proactive inhibition can hinder the recall of new data due to old data.

Retrieval Methods

Recall: Reproducing information aided by cues like imagery.
Recognition: Identifying previously seen information; simpler than recall.

Processed Information Applications

Information is processed through reasoning, problem-solving, skill acquisition, and handling errors.

Reasoning Types

Deductive Reasoning: Derives conclusions from given premises; highlights potential conflicts between truth and logical validity.
Inductive Reasoning: Generalizes from known cases to unknown instances; involves assumptions.
Abductive Reasoning: Infers causes from events; may lead to inaccurate explanations.

Problem-Solving Theories

Gestalt Theory: Sees problem-solving as a creative process encompassing insight.
Problem Space Theory: Frames problem-solving as generating states within legal boundaries of human information processing.

Skill Acquisition

Characterized by chunking which leads to effective information structuring.

Types of Errors

Slips: Mistakes made despite the right intention; often due to poor execution.
Mistakes: Result from misinterpretation; stem from incorrect intentions.

Emotion and Cognition

Emotion encompasses both cognitive and physical reactions to stimuli, affecting responses to situations.
Positive Affect: Enhances creative problem-solving capabilities.
Negative Affect: Often narrows thinking and hinders performance on tasks.

Theories of Emotion

James-Lange Theory: Suggests emotional interpretation arises from physiological responses.
Cannon’s Theory: Proposes that physiological responses occur as a reaction to stimuli.
Schachter-Singer Theory: Emotion involves evaluating physiological responses within the context of the entire situation.

Description

This quiz covers the three main types of memory: sensory, short-term, and long-term. It explores their characteristics, functions, and the different types of long-term memory. Test your understanding of how information is processed and stored in the mind.