Psychology Chapter on Memory Types

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of sensory memory?

To retain information for a long period of time.

To hold information in its original sensory form for a brief moment. (correct)

To convert sensory information into meaningful concepts.

To process and manipulate information for problem-solving.

What is the typical duration of visual sensory memory?

30 seconds

0.25 seconds (correct)

5 seconds

1 second

What is a common strategy to extend the duration of information in short-term memory?

Storing items in sensory memory.

Immediately transferring it to long-term memory.

Creating associations with unrelated concepts.

Utilizing chunking to group information. (correct)

According to George Miller, what is the range of items that can typically be retained in short-term memory?

7 ± 2 items Signup and view all the answers

What does echoic memory specifically refer to?

Auditory sensory memory. Signup and view all the answers

What is the key characteristic of short-term memory?

It retains information for less than 30 seconds without rehearsal. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following does NOT describe sensory memory?

It lasts for several seconds. Signup and view all the answers

What does chunking involve in the context of short-term memory?

Grouping information into higher-order units. Signup and view all the answers

What does working memory primarily include?

Short-term memory and attention Signup and view all the answers

Which component of Baddeley's model briefly stores speech-based information?

Phonological loop Signup and view all the answers

How is long-term memory characterized?

Relatively permanent storage of large amounts of information Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during encoding failure?

Information is never entered into long-term memory. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of memory involves conscious recollection of information?

Explicit memory Signup and view all the answers

What is proactive interference?

Disrupts the recall of newly learned information. Signup and view all the answers

Which subcategory of long-term memory involves skills and habits?

Procedural memory Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the central executive in Baddeley's model?

To manage attention and integrate information Signup and view all the answers

How does retroactive interference affect memory recall?

Blocks access to previously learned information. Signup and view all the answers

According to decay theory, what happens to a memory trace over time?

It disintegrates with time. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of memory is characterized by the activation of information already in storage to aid in remembering new information?

Priming Signup and view all the answers

What does the experience of déjà vu suggest about memory retrieval?

It is linked to the familiarity network around the hippocampus. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes implicit memory from explicit memory?

Implicit memory involves prior experience without conscious recollection Signup and view all the answers

Which concept emphasizes that forgetting occurs because of interference from other information?

Retrieval failure. Signup and view all the answers

When does proactive interference primarily occur?

When old information interferes with the recall of new information. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential outcome even after forgetting has occurred?

Some memories can be retrieved under the right conditions. Signup and view all the answers

What does the tip-of-the-tongue (TOT) phenomenon indicate about memory?

Memory retrieval can sometimes be difficult despite having the knowledge. Signup and view all the answers

Which brain area is associated with the experience of déjà vu?

Familiarity network around the hippocampus Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between retrospective and prospective memory?

Retrospective memory is about past information, while prospective memory involves future intentions. Signup and view all the answers

What type of prospective memory is triggered by an external event?

Event-based prospective memory Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of absentmindedness in memory?

Failure to remember intentions due to distractions Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of anterograde amnesia?

Difficulty in learning new information after a specific event Signup and view all the answers

Which strategy can help enhance memory retention?

Process and elaborate deeply on the material Signup and view all the answers

Which organizational technique can aid in structuring course content?

Using analogies that relate to familiar concepts Signup and view all the answers

What principle suggests that the context in which information is encoded aids in its retrieval?

Encoding specificity principle Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes the phenomenon where adults have enhanced recollections of events from their second and third decades of life?

Reminiscence bump Signup and view all the answers

In the three-level hierarchical structure of autobiographical memory, which level is associated with individual episodes measured in seconds or minutes?

Event-specific knowledge Signup and view all the answers

How do flashbulb memories differ from everyday memories?

They are recalled with more accuracy and vivid imagery. Signup and view all the answers

What type of memory involves a person's recollections of their life experiences?

Autobiographical memory Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of context-dependent memory?

To assist in recalling information in the same context it was learned. Signup and view all the answers

What is often included in most autobiographical memories, alongside facts?

Reality and myth Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following levels in the autobiographical memory structure is characterized by extended composite episodes?

General events Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sensory Memory

Holds sensory information for a brief period, allowing us to perceive the world as continuous
Visual sensory memory (iconic memory) lasts about a fraction of a second
Attention helps transfer information from sensory memory to short-term memory

Short-Term Memory

Holds a limited amount of information for a short period of time (typically 15 to 30 seconds)
Rehearsal helps extend the duration of information in short-term memory
Can hold around 7 items (plus or minus 2), as proposed by George Miller
Echoic memory refers to auditory sensory memory, and lasts a bit longer than visual memory

Working Memory

A more active system that manipulates and processes information from both short-term memory and long-term memory
Working memory involves the central executive, phonological loop, and visuospatial sketchpad
The phonological loop is responsible for briefly storing speech-based information

Long-Term Memory

A relatively permanent storage system of our knowledge, skills, and experiences
Encoding failure happens when information never gets transferred to long-term memory
Explicit memory (declarative memory) involves conscious recollection of information
Proactive interference occurs when previously learned information interferes with recalling new information

Types of Long-Term Memory

Procedural memory (implicit memory) refers to skills and habits, often learned unconsciously
The central executive in Baddeley's model controls attention, coordinates information from other working memory components, and makes decisions
Retroactive interference occurs when new information interferes with recalling previously learned information
According to decay theory, memory traces weaken over time due to disuse

Forgetting

Retrieval cues help access information stored in long-term memory
Déjà vu suggests that there may be a mismatch between our conscious awareness and unconscious memory retrieval
Explicit memory involves conscious recollection, while implicit memory doesn't require conscious recall
Interference theory proposes that forgetting occurs because of interference from other information
Proactive interference occurs when previously learned information interferes with recalling new information
Even after forgetting, some information might be retained unconsciously

Memory Phenomena

The tip-of-the-tongue (TOT) phenomenon indicates that information is stored but temporarily inaccessible
The hippocampus is associated with déjà vu experiences

Prospective Memory

Remembering to do something in the future
Retrospective memory involves remembering past events
Event-based prospective memory is triggered by an external cue

Errors in Memory

Absentmindedness often involves lapses in attention
Anterograde amnesia is the inability to form new memories after an injury or event
Spacing out studying sessions can enhance memory retention
Organizing course content using techniques like outlining can aid in understanding and retention
The encoding specificity principle suggests that remembering is enhanced when retrieval cues match the context in which information was initially learned
The reminiscence bump refers to enhanced recollections for events experienced during the second and third decades of life

Autobiographical Memory

A person's memory of their life experiences
The episodic level in the hierarchical structure of autobiographical memory captures individual episodes, lasting seconds or minutes
Flashbulb memories are vivid, detailed memories of events that are emotionally significant, but are not necessarily accurate
Autobiographical memories often include personal facts and stories, in addition to factual information
The personal level in the autobiographical memory structure is characterized by extended composite episodes, encompassing themes and personal narratives

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Description

Test your understanding of memory types, including sensory memory, short-term memory, and techniques like chunking. This quiz covers key concepts from psychology relating to how we process and retain information. Dive in to evaluate your knowledge on the characteristics and durations of different memory systems.