MEMORY - PSYCH MCAT -50 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2024

Encoding the processing of information into the memory system—for example, by extracting meaning. ***Stimuli > sense modalities > thalamus > hippocampus Hippocampus decides how a memory should be stored (working memory, semantic memory, episodic memory, implicit memory, explicit memory etc) Brainpower Read More 0:12 / 0:15 4 basic types of Complex encoding (VAKS) or (IKES) Visual/Iconic Acoustic/Echoic Kinesthetic Spatial iconic memory a momentary sensory memory of visual stimuli; a photographic or picture-image memory lasting no more than a few tenths of a second Echoic memory a momentary sensory memory of auditory stimuli; if attention is elsewhere, sounds and words can still be recalled within 3 or 4 seconds Kinesthetic memory The ability to physically remember and repeat body actions or forms. (inputting body sensations) spatial memory inputting sense of direction 2 Basic types of Abstract encoding - Semantic (encoding meanings such as words) - Elaborative: relies on semantic encoding, and attachment of new info to preexisting memories elaborative encoding *relies on semantic and IKES encoding* the process of actively relating new information to knowledge that is already in memory ex. Reading the word GREEN and thinking about a plant with GREEN leaves Semantic encoding the encoding of meaning, including the meaning of words ex. Reading the word green and inputting its meaning, a color, is different than encoding the visual appearance of the string of letters. Semantic Netword Theory We encode new information by situating it among conceptual patterns we have ALREADY formed. - a key process here is "spreading activation" scanning our brain, for memories to help explain new info. Ex. once we find a particular dense region of related concepts we squeeze new idea into the network. Ex. if we see an animal that has fins and lives in water, we will probably label it as a fish. Chunking chunking formation to remember them easier Ex. remember a phone number as: (xxx)-(xxx)-(xxxx) instead of xxxxxxxxxx Mneumonics patterned way of remembering information ROYGBIV for colors PEMDAS for order of operations for math Context dependent learning more likely to retrieve memories if we are in the same environment where the memory was formed Ex. best seat to take a test in is the seat you have in lecture state-dependent learning memories formed during a particular physiological or psychological state will be easier to remember while in a similar state/emotion Ex. if you learn something drunk, you'll remember something better when you're drunk. Serial position effect we have better recall for words in the beginning and the end of list (primacy and recency effect) - forget the middle Self-reference effect we encode things more effectively when connect an idea to a personal experience spacing effect we retain information better when we rehearse over time Ex. study over a few weeks rather than a few days before. Sensory Memories 1-2 seconds to provide a sense of continuity to our experience ex. walking Short term memory (working memory) activated memory that holds a few items briefly, such as the seven digits of a phone number while dialing, before the information is stored or forgotten - 15-30 seconds How does is make it past sensory memory? - awareness and selective attention characteristics of working memory: 1. capacity: (4-9 items) 2. Duration (15-30 seconds) 3. Primarily acoustic: we tend to mutter or hear a voice in our mind "1 tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper, etc) 4. vulnerable to distractions Long term memories: through various kinds of rehearsal: - Memory moves from the hippocampus to the neocortex. - can last indefinitely. Broadbent's filter stimuli is selectively attended to and processed at varying levels of depth ex. overhear ppl next to you talk about you in their conversation, and the name jumps out at you so you start paying attention. When information jumps out at you. Can STMs and LTMs form only sequentially? No, they can form in parallel also - some memories involving fear can undergo the first stages of LTM in the neocortex becfore the hippocampus sends signals - makes sense evolutionarily to avoid dangerous situations in the future. Types of long term membories 1. implicit (procedural) 2. Explicit (declarative) ---> episodic ---> semantic implicit memories Also called procedural memories. LTM skills we know but can't easily articulate ex. how to ride a bike. we just do it. Procedural memories Also called implicit memories. LTM skills we know but can't easily articulate ex. how to ride a bike. we just do it. Explicit (declarative) memories facts and experiences that we can consciously know and recall Episodic memory the collection of past personal experiences that occurred at a particular time and place and EPISODE in your life (story) ex. a trip you took 5 years ago. Form of explicit LTM