Psychology Chapter on Short-Term Memory (STM)

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Questions and Answers

Which stage of memory is responsible for holding information for a brief period without rehearsal?

Short-Term Memory (correct)

Working Memory

Sensory Memory

Long-Term Memory

What research finding is associated with the capacity limit of Short-Term Memory?

The Miller Effect

The Chunking Theory

The Magical Number 7 (correct)

The Peterson Principle

What primarily influences the encoding process in Short-Term Memory?

Emotional cues

Kinesthetic information

Visual stimuli

Auditory stimuli (correct)

Which component of Working Memory is responsible for processing visual and spatial information?

Visuospatial Sketchpad Signup and view all the answers

What effect describes errors in recall that occur due to similar-sounding items?

Phonological Similarity Effect Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the articulatory rehearsal process in Working Memory?

To prevent decay of verbal information Signup and view all the answers

Which phenomenon explains the difficulty of learning new items due to previously learned information?

Proactive Interference Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, how long does information typically last in Short-Term Memory without rehearsal?

15-20 seconds Signup and view all the answers

What component of working memory is responsible for integrating information across different sensory modalities?

Episodic Buffer Signup and view all the answers

In the context of working memory, what is the primary role of the Central Executive?

Direct attention and control cognitive processes Signup and view all the answers

Which area of the brain is primarily associated with maintaining and manipulating information in working memory?

Prefrontal Cortex Signup and view all the answers

What effect does working memory capacity have on cognitive tasks according to research?

Higher capacity allows better manipulation of information during complex tasks Signup and view all the answers

What is a key finding from Daneman & Carpenter's 1980 study regarding working memory?

Higher working memory capacity can correlate with better reading comprehension Signup and view all the answers

What does the mental rotation experiment (Shepard and Metzler, 1971) primarily study?

The spatial reasoning abilities within working memory Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the suggested applications of working memory in everyday life?

Facilitating language comprehension Signup and view all the answers

What is a common link between working memory and disorders like ADHD and dyslexia?

These disorders are often associated with working memory deficits Signup and view all the answers

Which factor has been suggested to influence the capacity of working memory according to research?

Individual differences across people Signup and view all the answers

What does the episodic buffer allow in terms of cognitive functioning?

It enables chunking across different forms of information Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Memory Systems Overview

Memory is a multi-stage process with sensory memory, short-term memory (STM), and long-term memory (LTM).
Short-term memory (STM) is crucial, and this chapter dives deep into its updated understanding: working memory.

Short-Term Memory (STM)

STM holds a limited amount of information (approximately 7 ± 2 items) for a brief duration (15-20 seconds) without rehearsal.
Capacity is increased by "chunking," or grouping information into meaningful units.
STM decays quickly without active maintenance (rehearsal). Studies like Peterson & Peterson (1959) demonstrate this decay within 18-20 seconds.
Encoding primarily involves converting visual information into auditory codes. This leads to similar-sounding word errors in recall.
Errors often arise due to the similarity of sounds during recall, showcasing the role of sound in encoding.
Proactive interference means previously learned information hinders encoding of new information in STM.

Working Memory (WM) - An Advanced Model

Working memory (WM) is an active system for holding and manipulating information, encompassing STM but going further. It supports complex tasks like problem-solving, comprehension, and learning.
WM consists of distinct components:
- Phonological Loop: Handles verbal and auditory information; includes a phonological store and articulatory rehearsal to prevent decay (e.g., word length effect). Articulatory suppression disrupts verbal WM.
- Visuospatial Sketchpad: Processes visual and spatial information, aiding in visual tasks like mental rotation.
- Central Executive: Acts as the control center, manages attention, and integrates information from other components; involved in complex cognitive tasks.
- Episodic Buffer: Links working memory to long-term memory and integrates information across different modalities, enhancing chunking.

Research on Working Memory

Dual-task experiments show that WM has separate systems for verbal and visual processing, supporting independent subsystems (phonological loop and visuospatial sketchpad).
Working memory capacity (WMC) varies between individuals and affects cognitive performance (reading, problem-solving, attention). Research by Daneman & Carpenter (1980) shows this correlation.

Neural Basis of Working Memory

Prefrontal cortex (PFC) plays a crucial role in maintaining and manipulating information in working memory.
Lesions in the PFC impair working memory, as demonstrated by Goldman-Rakic (1992) in monkeys.
PFC neurons show sustained activity during delay periods in working memory tasks (Funahashi et al., 1989), providing biological support.

Real-World Applications and Everyday Examples

WM is essential in numerous activities like mental arithmetic, following directions, and understanding language.
Disorders like ADHD and dyslexia are often linked to deficits in working memory.
Training studies, while showing potential, remain controversial regarding WM enhancement and long-term effects.

Summary

STM is limited but can be enhanced by rehearsal/chunking.
Working memory, with its components, provides a dynamic understanding of how the mind holds and manipulates information.
WM's multifaceted nature plays a key role in complex cognitive processes.

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Description

This quiz explores the various aspects of short-term memory (STM) as part of the broader understanding of memory systems. Dive into concepts like capacity, chunking, and the effects of rehearsal on memory retention. Assess your knowledge on encoding processes and interference in STM.