COGNITION & MEMORY UNIT QUESTIONS

Answer all questions in the form of a sentence, bullet points, graphic organizer, or

other. As long as you answer the question (and it’s correct) you’ll receive full credit.

“WHAT IS MEMORY?”1) What is the function of memory?2) Explain in 1 sentence how our memory

helps us socially & neurologically.3) How is memory related to learning?4) What is meant by Association &

Inference in relation to new knowledge?

“THE HUMAN MEMORY”1) How is memory a ‘brain-wide’ process?2) What happens to distributed memory

even if the brain is damaged?

“SENSORY MEMORY”1) What is the function of sensory

memory?2) How are the 5 senses connected to

sensory memory?3) What is meant by the following types

of memory- Iconic, Echoic, & Haptic?

“SHORT-TERM MEMORY”1) What is the function of ST memory?

2) How many items can ST memory remember, and for how long?

3) What part of the brain is responsible for ST memory?

4) Briefly describe Miller’s Law.

5) When would you use the semantic category?

6) What is the Evolutionary Perspective on ST memory?

7) What is chunking?

8) What is displacement and when does it happen?

“LONG-TERM MEMORY”1) What is the definition of LT memory?2) How can ST memory become LT

memory? What is the process?3) Which parts of the brain are associated

with LT memory?

“DECLARATIVE (EXPLICIT) & PROCEDURAL (IMPLICIT) MEMORY

1) What is meant by Explicit or Declarative Memory? When would you use this?

2) What is meant by Implicit or Procedural Memory? When would you use this?

3) What parts of the brain are involved with each type?

4) What is priming?

“EPISODIC & SEMANTIC MEMORY”1) What is episodic memory and when

would we use it? Give an original example.

2) What is semantic memory and when would we use it? Give an original example.

3) What part of the brain is associated with episodic and semantic memory?

4) What is spatial memory?5) What is a flashbulb memory? Give an

original example from your life.

“RETROSPECTIVE & PROSPECTIVE MEMORY”1) What is retrospective memory and

when might it be used?2) When is prospective memory

necessary?3) Explain how these two are not

completely separate of one another.

“MEMORY ENCODING”1) What is the importance of encoding?2) What parts of the brain are responsible for

encoding?3) BRIEFLY describe the following types of encoding:

Acoustic, Visual, Tactile, and Semantic.4) What is meant by elaboration in relation to

memory?5) What are mnemonic devices? Give an original

example of how you might use these to learn something.

6) What is the ‘faculty theory’?7) What is the “Weapon Focus Effect?”

“MEMORY CONSOLIDATION”1) Explain the difference between

synaptic and system consolidation.2) What is LT Potentiation?3) What happens to memory during long-

term depression?4) Why is memory important for sleep?5) What happens to memory in those who

suffer from Korsakoff’s Syndrome?

“MEMORY STORAGE”1) What is the function of storage?2) What is the popular, yet untrue notion

about memory mentioned in this article?

3) How can a “lost” memory be retrieved?

“MEMORY RECALL/RETRIEVAL”1) Explain the recall process BRIEFLY.2) What is meant by hierarchal inference?3) Briefly describe an example of recognition as

superior to recall.4) What was Tulving’s Theory of Encoding

Specificity?5) What is the difference between shallow and

deep processing?6) Briefly describe the way we use our schema.7) Briefly describe the 3 main types of recall-

you may use a graphic organizer, bullet points, etc.