PSYC 1st Edition Exam 2 Study Guide Lectures 9 15 Lecture 9 February 18 Memory Define the Engram The engram is the unit of information to be stored simple or complex What two systems is our memory split into What do they do Memory is split into two systems the Declarative Memory Systems which stores factual information and explicit memories and the Nondeclarative Procedural Memory Systems which stores actions perceptual motor skills conditioned reflexes implicit memories An example of this is riding a bike What does the Declarative Memory System split into What do they do Within the Declarative Memory System there is the Semantic Memory and the Episodic Memory Episodic Memory are dated recollections of personal experiences like a first kiss Semantic Memory is general knowledge and it stores undated memories like how Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address What are the three main processes in memory Encoding is the snatching of a small portion of memories to hold Storage is the actual holding of this memory and retrieval is getting the memory back out Define Sensory Memory Sensory Memory is the literal representation of anything coming into the senses and it has a brief survival time What are the other two types of memory There is also Iconic Memory which is visual memory and Echoic Memory sound memory What was Sperling s study of Sensory Memory This study involves fixation display tone and report A typical person can only remember 4 out of 12 images but can manipulate things to help them remember more What is chunking In short term memory we use chunking to gather more information Our short term memory can hold about 7 units of information simple or complex If we can hold something for 30 seconds to a minute we can remember it but other information is gone We group information and organize it so we can keep it in our permanent memory What is the Serial Position Affect The Serial Position Affect is when we can remember the first part of something and the last part but we lose a lot of the middle Define Retroactive Interference Retroactive Interference is when the new learning interferes with old Define Proactive Interference Proactive Interference is when the old learning interferes with new Define Distributed Practice Distributed Practice works for long term memory when we study for a long period of time in little pieces Define Massed Practice Massed Practice works for short term memory when we study for a short period of time and for longer What is the difference between shallow and deep memories When looking at an object we tend to associate a shallow memory with it like how a bird is red However sometimes we make a deep association like how the bird prefers sunflower seeds has a crest and that the male has a bright red color This processing helps us to recall more when we embed in context Define Working Memory Working memory is the interaction of sensory short term and long term memory What is Automatic Memory Automatic memory records the duration time location and frequency We can remember some things automatically without trying this memory is very stable This memory doesn t require conscious effort How do drugs block the memory recall of negative material Memory recall of negative material can be blocked by propranolol which can block the bad memories in the amygdala When we actively remember bad things they can be obliterated by prescription drugs What is an example of Procedural Memory Procedural Memory like in the case of H M is day to day improvement in solving mechanical puzzle having no recollection of seeing the puzzle before How did Elizabeth Loftus demonstrate the creation of false memories How so repressed memories come up Elizabeth Loftus demonstrated that false memories can be created by telling children false facts about past events just by changing one word in a sentence different memories were created Some recovery of repressed memories may be due to unintentional prompting and reinforcement in therapy Some recovered repressed memories offered in court cases have been proven to be false Recent EEG brain waves studies have reported patterns for real and false memories How do external and internal retrieval cues differ An external retrieval cue involves visual auditory and other inputs from the external environment Internal cues are physiological events caused by hormones drugs and other internal changes We learn and recall better with the same learning environment we ve studied in before Lecture 10 February 20 Thoughts Language and Intelligence What is Mnemonics Mnemonics is where we place an item to be remembered in context and recall it better Method of Loci is when we place an item to be remembered in a certain location in the house Ex Dogliving room bike garage etc Define Concept Concept is a rule for categorizing objects or events How is a formal rule different than a prototype A formal rule is like a rule that states a triangle is a figure with 3 sides A prototype is the degree of similarity to an example A prototype of a bird is a robin However when using this prototype and viewing penguins they initially appear not to be birds What is a public private wide and narrow concept Concepts can be public private wide and narrow A public concept is understood and shared ex chair couch and stool furniture for sitting A private concept is a rule that is not shared or understood ex tire fish and pear objects with sanctifying grace A wide concept includes many items ex mammal A narrow concept includes few items ex cat What is an algorithm An algorithm is a formal rule that assures the correct answer Ex Length X Width Area If a car won t start an algorithmic solution involves a series of diagnostic tests that run with the computer examining every possibility What is a heuristic Heuristic is a rule of thumb that works or is perceived to work most of the time If a car won t start it s probably because the battery is over 3 years old Some heuristics are not valid like how people believe blonds to be dumber than others An availability heuristic is the immediacy and vividness of an event can exaggerate estimates of probability of it happening Ex an airplane crash alters our perception of the safety of air travel Define Functional Fixedness Functional Fixedness is when you can only think of one use for an item Define Mental Set A mental set is the tendency to approach a problem in a particular way even when the approach is not affective Define Belief Perseverance Belief