Memoey Worksheet

University of Phoenix Material

Memory Worksheet

Using the text, Cognition: The Thinking Animal, the University Library, the Internet, and/or other resources, answer the following questions. Your response to each question should be at least 150 words in length.

1. What is primary memory? What are the characteristics of primary memory?

Primary memory is known in layman terms as short-term memory. Primary memory is where information is stored when it is first obtained. It (primary memory) is also a staging ground for thought (Willingham, 2007). According to Willingham (2007) primary memory "both retrieves information from secondary memory and takes in information from the environment" (p. 144). Also according to Willingham (2007), it (primary memory) may do this "for temporary maintenance or possibly for entry into secondary memory" (p. 144). Primary memory also has many features. One of these features is proactive interference. Proactive interference is a characteristic involving forgetting. With proactive interference, prior learning interferes with current learning (Willingham, 2007). Along with proactive interference, comes retroactive interference. With retroactive interference, new learning interferes with prior learning (Willingham, 2007). According to Willingham (2007), a characteristic of primary memory is that it can be coded in three ways; "visuospatially, acoustically (in terms of sound), and semantically (in terms of meaning)" (p. 155). Willingham (2007) also mentions a possible fourth way of coding that has not yet been researched in detail; tactile memory (touch), or "how things feel on the skin" (p. 155).

2. What is the process of memory from perception to retrieval? What happens when the process is compromised?

Perception begins with taking an experience and putting it into working (primary) memory. Once in working memory, it is put through one of three filters; visuospatial sketchpad, the episodic buffer, or the phonological loop...