The 3 box model of memory

System to remembering

objectives

• Analyze the 3 boxes of memory• Summarize how we use short term memory,

and the parts of the brain associated with memory

• Describe the different contents of L.T.M.

Core Concept

• Each of the 3 memory stages encodes and stores memory in a different way, but they work together to transform sensory experience into lasting record that has a pattern of meaning

• Capacity- How much• Duration- How long• Structure, function, biological basis

Three-box model of memory

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Want to process this lecture? 3 stages

• Like an assembly line• Sensory Memory• Working Memory• Long-term Memory• Pioneered by Richard Atkinson, Richard

Shiffrin

Sensory memory

A memory system that momentarily preserves extremely accurate images of sensory informationPattern recognitionThe identification of a stimulus on the basis of information already contained in long-term memory

Information that is not quickly passed to short-term memory is gone forever.

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Sensory Memory

• Most fleeting of the 3• Involves lights, sounds, smells, textures• Sparkler on 4th, listen to music• Maintain long enough to go into working

memory• Vision and hearing for graphic organizers

Short-term memoryA limited capacity memory system involved in the retention of information for brief periods

Also used to hold information retrieved from long-term memory for temporary use

Working memoryA memory system which includes STM and mental processes that control retrieval of information from LT memory and interpret that information appropriately for a given task

ChunkMeaningful unit of information which may be composed of smaller units

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Working Memory

• Takes info. Selected from sensory registers and connects it with items already in long term storage

• Built for a few seconds to 30, temporarily holds items. Such as a phone number

• New info + long term memory= mental scratch pad• For example contains numbers and instructions

for doing necessary operations and intermediate results from each step

Methods for improving S.T.M.

• Maintain rehearsal- going over (like for the spring play)

• Chunking- 5-9 units, like phone number

Parts of brain in working memory

Long-term memoryThe memory system involved in the long-term storage of information

One way information is organized is in semantic categories (e.g., animals).

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Capacity and Duration of Long-Term Memory

• Unlimited storage• Experiences, events, information, emotions,

skills, words, categories, rules, Everything from STM

• Total knowledge of world and self• Can store memory for a lifetime• Undisputed champion of memory

Conceptual grid

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Types of long-term memories

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Contents of long-term memory

Procedural memoriesMemories for performance of actions or skills

“Knowing how”

Declarative memoriesMemories of facts, rules, concepts, and events; includes semantic and episodic memory

“Knowing that”

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Squire’s types of L.T.M.

• Procedural Memory- Mental directions or procedures

• “how to” ride a bike, tie a shoe• In acquisition conscious of details• Then skill occurs beyond awareness

Procedural memory in action!

2nd part Squire’s types of L.T.M.

• Declarative memory- Stores specific information.

• Facts, events. • Directions to a specific location, lat. long.• Requires some conscious thought

Contents of long-term memory

Semantic memoriesGeneral knowledge, including facts, rules, concepts, and propositions

Episodic memoriesPersonally experienced events and the contexts in which they occurred

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Tulving’s types of LTM

• Semantic memory- Stores basic meanings of words and concepts

• No info about time and place• Meaning of word ‘cat’• Encyclopedia or data base• Faces, names, religious beliefs, music manners

Tulving’s LTM

• Episodic memory- D.M. that stores personal experiences, events, episodes

• Has temporal coding or ‘ time tags’ • When, Where, Context of memory• Thus E.M. is autobiographical memory

Your turnWhat kind of memory is your memory for the fact that the earth is round?1. Procedural memory2. Semantic memory3. Episodic memory4. Flashbulb memory

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Your turnWhat kind of memory is your memory for the fact that the earth is round?1. Procedural memory2. Semantic memory3. Episodic memory4. Flashbulb memory

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Serial-position effectThe tendency for recall of first and last items on a list to surpass recall of items in the middle of the list

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Summary

• 3 boxes of memory