Memory- VCE Psychology Unit 3 & 4 Review Questions with Answers

memory An active information-processing system that organises, stores and retrieves info acquired through learning. enables encoding, storage and retrieval. encoding The process that converts information into a meaningful form (code) that can be stored and represented in the memory system. storage The retention of information in the memory system over time. retrieval The process of locating information stored in memory and bringing it into consciousness when needed, to complete a cognitive task. multi-store model of memory The memory model that visualises memory as a system consisting of multiple memory stores through which a stream of data flows for processing. sensory memory The first stage of the multi-store model of memory; it receives and stores an unlimited amount of sensory information for up to a few seconds. Only stays long enough to selectively attend to it to transfer to STM. iconic memory The subsystem of sensory memory that receives and stores an unlimited amount of a visual image for approximately 1/3 to 1/2 a second. echoic memory The subsystem of sensory memory that receives and stoes and unlimited amount of auditory information in the form of an echo for up to 3-4 seconds. short-term memory (STM) The second and most active memory system in the multi-store model of memory; stores a limited amount of information entering from sensory memory or retrieved from LTM for a short period of time unless the information is rehearsed. stays in STM for 18-20sec. magic number 7 (+ or - 2) The capacity of STM. The number of single items of information that the average short-term memory can hold at one time. chunking Grouping separate items of information to form a larger single information unit (chunk) so our short term memory can hold more than the usual seven single items of information at any given moment.