Memory Functions
What are easily recalled memories known as?
Automatic processing
Examples:
- Singing the lyrics to your favorite song
- Riding a bike
- Remembering your route to work
What type of memory involves storing smells, textures, and tastes?
Sensory memory
What four main parts of the brain deal with memory function and storage?
1.) Amygdala
2.) Hippocampus
3.) Cerebellum
4.) Prefrontal Cortex
True or False?
There are two types of amnesia
True - The two types of amnesia are known as retrograde amnesia and anterograde amnesia
What theory describes strong emotions triggering strong memories?
The arousal theory
What are more difficult to recall memories known as?
Effortful processing
Examples:
- Remembering someone's phone number
- Recalling previously studied information during an exam
- Reading (For people still in the process of learning to read)
True or False?
Short term memory (STM) storage lasts between 30 seconds to one minute
False - Short term memory storages lasts between 15 seconds and 30 seconds. From there the memory can be discarded and forgotten or moved to long term memory for storage
What part of the brain processes procedural memory?
The cerebellum
What is the name of the process that occurs when false memories are formed due to misinformation from external sources?
Suggestibility
True or False?
The process of bringing up old memories is known as construction
False - The process of bringing up old memories is known as reconstruction and the process of forming new memories is called construction
The process of moving information from short to long-term memory is known as what?
Rehearsal
True or False?
Both short and long term memory have a seemingly unlimited storage space
False - Only long term memory has a seemingly unlimited amount of storage space
What part of the brain processes fear based memories?
The amygdala
What type of amnesia effects memories formed after a traumatic event occurs?
Anterograde amnesia - makes you unable to remember new information but still allows the retention of memories prior to the traumatic event
What type of memory is remembered as a "story"
Episodic memory
Example: Remembering last Christmas
What is the order of memory processing?
1.) Encoding - The input of information into the memory system
2.) Storage - The retention of encoded information and memories
3.) Retrieval - Bringing stored information and memories back into thought
Explicit memory is broken down into what two parts?
1.) Episodic - Events and experiences
2.) Semantic - Concepts and facts
True or False?
The Amygdala deals with remembering semantic tasks
False - The prefrontal cortex in involved with remembering semantic tasks
The recollection of false memories is known as?
False memory syndrome which is commonly exhibited in eye witnesses
What are the three ways you can retrieve information from long-term storage?
Recalling - accessing memories without cues
Recognition - comparing memory to experience
Relearning - learning information you have previously learned
What are the three types of encoding?
1.) Semantic - Encoding of words and their meaning
2.) Visual - Encoding of images and visuals
3.) Acoustic - Encoding of sounds
Remembering procedures and how to do tasks is a part of what type of memory?
Implicit memory
1.) Procedural - How to do things
2.) Priming - Prior stimulus affecting a later response
3.) Emotional conditioning - Emotional responses when exposed to certain stimuli
True or False?
The hippocampus processes and stores fear related memories
False - The hippocampus processes declarative, episodic, and recognition based memory.
According to psychologist Daniel Schacter what three "sins of memory" affect forgetting?
Transience - Ability to retrieve memory deteriorates over time
Absentmindedness - Lapses in attention span causing information to be forgotten
Blocking - Ability to access memories is temporarily blocked
True or False?
The hippocampus has a role in the transfer of memories from short to long term storage
True - The hippocampus uses a process known as consolidation to move short-term memories into long-term storage