Memory Quiz

The three stores in the Multi-Store Model of Memory are:

Sensory Register

Short-Term Memory (STM)

Long-Term Memory (LTM)

According to Miller’s research, the capacity of short-term memory is 7 ± 2 items, often referred to as the "magic number."

Episodic memory: A type of long-term memory that involves the recollection of personal experiences and events (e.g., your first day at school).

Semantic memory: A type of long-term memory that involves general knowledge and facts, independent of personal experience (e.g., knowing the capital of France is Paris).

The phonological loop is responsible for processing and storing verbal and auditory information. It consists of two components: the phonological store (which holds sound-based information) and the articulatory rehearsal system (which allows us to rehearse information).

Retroactive interference occurs when newly learned information interferes with the recall of previously learned information, making it harder to remember older memories.

The sensory register is the first store in the Multi-Store Model of Memory, receiving information from the senses.

Coding: Sensory information is stored in its original sensory form (e.g., visual, auditory).

Capacity: It has a large capacity, capable of storing a vast amount of sensory information.

Duration: The duration is very brief, typically lasting around 0.5 to 3 seconds for visual information (iconic memory) and slightly longer for auditory information (echoic memory).

Short-term memory (STM) is the second store in the Multi-Store Model of Memory.

Coding: Information is usually coded acoustically (i.e., based on sound).

Capacity: STM has a limited capacity, typically holding 7 ± 2 items (Miller’s “magic number”).

Duration: The duration of STM is also limited, around 18-30 seconds without rehearsal.

The Working Memory Model (WMM) is an alternative to the Multi-Store Model, focusing on how we process and manipulate information in short-term memory.

• The WMM proposes that short-term memory is not a unitary store but consists of multiple components, including the central executive, phonological loop, visuo-spatial sketchpad, and episodic buffer.
• The central executive directs attention and coordinates the subsystems, while the phonological loop handles verbal information, the visuo-spatial sketchpad deals with visual and spatial information, and the episodic buffer integrates information from different stores.
• Unlike the Multi-Store Model, which assumes linear processing of information, the WMM suggests a more dynamic and interactive system for dealing with different types of information.

Proactive interference occurs when previously learned information interferes with the ability to learn new information. Essentially, old memories disrupt the formation of new memories.
Example: If you have learned your old phone number and then get a new one, the old phone number may interfere with your ability to remember the new number.

Retrieval failure occurs when information is stored in long-term memory but cannot be accessed due to a lack of appropriate retrieval cues. Memory can be triggered by cues, which may be sensory, contextual, or emotional in nature. If these cues are absent or insufficient, it can be difficult to retrieve the desired memory.
Example: You might struggle to recall someone’s name in a meeting room, but when you return to the same room later, the environment helps you remember.

The episodic buffer is a component of the Working Memory Model that acts as a temporary storage system, integrating information from the phonological loop, the visuo-spatial sketchpad, and long-term memory. It helps create a coherent representation of an event or experience by combining verbal, visual, and spatial data. It also communicates with long-term memory, helping to retrieve relevant information.

Misleading information refers to incorrect or inaccurate information introduced during the process of recall, which can distort an eyewitness’s memory.
Leading questions are one form of misleading information, where the phrasing of a question suggests a particular answer, potentially altering the witness’s recall of events.
Example: Asking "How fast was the car going when it crashed into the tree?" suggests that the car did indeed crash, even if that was not the case. This can affect the reliability of eyewitness testimony.

Post-event discussion refers to conversations that take place after an event has occurred, where multiple witnesses may share their recollections of the event. This can influence the accuracy of eyewitness testimony by leading to memory conformity, where one person’s version of events alters another’s memory. This effect can cause witnesses to incorporate incorrect details into their own recollections, potentially leading to false memories or distorted perceptions of what actually happened.

Anxiety can have a significant effect on the accuracy of eyewitness testimony. High levels of anxiety, such as when a crime or traumatic event occurs, can impair memory encoding and retrieval. This can lead to reduced recall accuracy, as anxiety may narrow a person’s focus and prevent them from paying attention to important details. However, research suggests that a moderate level of anxiety might actually improve memory recall, but extreme anxiety often leads to poorer performance in eyewitness identification and detail recall.

The cognitive interview is a technique designed to enhance memory retrieval in eyewitnesses and improve the accuracy of their testimony. It consists of four main components:

• Context reinstatement: Encouraging the witness to mentally recreate the environment and context of the event.
• Report everything: Asking the witness to report all details, even if they seem irrelevant, to help trigger other memories.
• Change perspective: Asking the witness to recall the event from different perspectives, which can provide new insights.
• Reverse order: Encouraging the witness to describe the event in reverse chronological order to prevent distortion.
  These techniques help witnesses retrieve more accurate and detailed information, reducing the influence of suggestive questioning and improving the overall reliability of eyewitness testimony.