Summary Psychology Chapter 13 notes - Cognitive psychology

Chapter 13
Part 4: Cognitive Psychology - Memory


Memory
Define Memory

• The ability to remember

• The ability/ faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information

• The power of retaining and recalling past experiences

• The ability/ faculty of the brain by which information is encoded, stored, and retrieved when
needed

• The retention of information over time

The information-processing approach to understanding memory

• Memory originally understood as taking place in our head- a mental process.

• Later, agreement that memory also affected by contextual factors

• Computer as an analogy/ metaphor

• 3 stages:

1. Input stage (acquisition)

2. Storage stage

3. Output stage (Retrieval)

Two- store model of memory

Two types of memory:

• Short term memory

 Currently in awareness
 Holds info for a few seconds, unless rehearsed
 Route through which memory can be stored in long term memory
• Long term memory

 Not currently aware, but kept in storage
 Hold info for hours, weeks, months, even decades
 Library of information and experiences gathered throughout life
 Least effected by aging
 Different types of long-term memory