PS102 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Partial Trace, Long-Term Memory, Recognition Memory
Memory: A Primer
What is Memory?
● Cornerstone of cognition
● Required for most higher-order functions: Language, Problem solving, Reading
Caveat
● We will highlight: limitations, reservations, vulnerability of memory
● Don’t be discouraged
● Tremendous system, powerful, despite idiosyncrasies
A Model of Memory
● Three processes: encoding, storage, retrieval
Encoding, Storage, Retrieval
● Encoding
○ Acquiring information
○ Detect the information (the code) prepare it to be placed in memory
○ Code can be sound pattern, letter sequence, image, tactile cue, smell etc
○ Translated into a neural code
● Storage
○ Encoded information has to be retained
○ Has to be a memory trace
● Retrieval
○ Accessing memories
○ Try to remember what was stored
○ Recall
○ Recognition
Memory Model
Executive
Environment → Sensory Register → Short Term Memory → Long Term Memory
v ← Working Memory ←
Lost v
Forgetting
Sensory Register/Memory
● Holds raw sensory input
○ Iconic stores - visual information (lasts fractions of a second, ¼ of a second)
○ Echoic stores - auditory information (lasts about 2 seconds, partial trace can last
longer)
● Volatile
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Document Summary
Required for most higher-order functions: language, problem solving, reading. We will highlight: limitations, reservations, vulnerability of memory. Detect the information (the code) prepare it to be placed in memory. Code can be sound pattern, letter sequence, image, tactile cue, smell etc. Environment sensory register short term memory long term memory. Iconic stores - visual information (lasts fractions of a second, of a second) Echoic stores - auditory information (lasts about 2 seconds, partial trace can last longer) Form of memory code does not correspond to form of original stimulus. Duration - must work on the information or you lose it. Rehearsal (default strategy), other strategies to hold onto information - phone numbers. Rapidly lost unless we actively do something with it. Serial position effect, exceeds capacity primacy and recency effects. Decay - degeneration of the memory trace over time. Displacement - new information takes the place of old information.
