Biological Factors in Memory Loss

Memory and Forget

Instructions:

After reading the required materials for this module, answer the following questions:

1. What are the biological factors in memory loss?
2. Explain the levels of the processing model.
3. What is the Parallel Distributed Processing (PDP) Model?
4. What is the difference between Short-Term Memory (STM) and Working Memory?
5. What are the varieties of Long-Term Memory (LTM) and their functions?
6. What are the five (5) major theories of forgetting? Explain each of them.
7. What are the five (5) key factors involved in forgetting?
8. Explain the difference between false memories versus repressed memories.

Be sure to review the academic expectations for your submission.

Submission Instructions:

• Submit your assignment by 11:59 PM Eastern on Sunday.
• Review the rubric to determine how your assignment will be graded.
• Your assignment will be run through TurnItIn to check for plagiarism.

• Biological Factors in Memory Loss:
  • Biological factors in memory loss can include aging, neurological disorders (such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia), brain injuries, drug or alcohol abuse, hormonal imbalances, and genetic predispositions. These factors can affect the structure and functioning of the brain, including the hippocampus and other regions associated with memory formation and retrieval.
• Levels of Processing Model:
  • The levels of processing model suggests that memory depends on the depth of processing that information receives. It proposes that information that is processed more deeply, with meaning and connections to existing knowledge, is more likely to be remembered. There are three levels of processing: shallow processing (based on superficial features like appearance or sound), intermediate processing (focused on phonemic characteristics or language patterns), and deep processing (related to meaning, semantics, and connections to existing knowledge).
• Parallel Distributed Processing (PDP) Model:
  • The Parallel Distributed Processing (PDP) Model is a cognitive model that suggests memory is distributed across networks of interconnected neurons. It proposes that information is processed simultaneously across multiple neural units, with patterns of activation representing memories. This model emphasizes the parallel processing and interconnectedness of neural networks in memory formation and retrieval.
• Difference between Short-Term Memory (STM) and Working Memory:
  • Short-Term Memory (STM) refers to the temporary storage of information for a brief period, typically ranging from seconds to minutes. Working Memory, on the other hand, is a cognitive system responsible for actively manipulating and processing information required to perform cognitive tasks. While STM is a component of working memory, working memory encompasses additional processes such as attention, rehearsal, and manipulation of information.
• Varieties of Long-Term Memory (LTM) and their Functions:
  • Long-Term Memory (LTM) can be divided into several types, including:
    • Episodic Memory: Memory for specific events or experiences.
    • Semantic Memory: Memory for general knowledge and facts.
    • Procedural Memory: Memory for skills and procedures, such as riding a bike or playing an instrument.
    • Declarative Memory: Memory that can be consciously recalled and expressed, including episodic and semantic memory.
    • Non-declarative Memory: Memory that influences behavior without conscious awareness, including procedural memory.
• Five Major Theories of Forgetting:
  • Decay Theory: Forgetting occurs due to the fading or weakening of memories over time, especially if they are not rehearsed or retrieved.
  • Interference Theory: Forgetting occurs when new information interferes with the retrieval of older memories (proactive interference) or when old information interferes with the retrieval of new memories (retroactive interference).
  • Retrieval Failure Theory: Forgetting occurs when there are cues or retrieval prompts missing at the time of recall, leading to the inability to access stored information.
  • Motivated Forgetting Theory: Forgetting occurs due to intentional suppression or repression of memories, often to protect oneself from psychological discomfort or trauma.
  • Encoding Failure Theory: Forgetting occurs because information was not adequately encoded into long-term memory due to insufficient attention or processing during encoding.
• Five Key Factors Involved in Forgetting:
  • Interference: Other information interfering with the retrieval of a memory.
  • Cue-Dependent Forgetting: Lack of appropriate retrieval cues leading to the inability to recall information.
  • Encoding Failure: Inadequate encoding of information into memory due to insufficient attention or processing.
  • Decay: Fading or weakening of memory traces over time due to disuse.
  • Repression: Unconscious suppression of memories due to psychological discomfort or trauma.
• Difference between False Memories versus Repressed Memories:
  • False Memories are memories of events that did not actually occur but are perceived as real by the individual. They can be the result of suggestion, misinformation, imagination inflation, or other factors.
  • Repressed Memories, on the other hand, are memories that have been unconsciously blocked from conscious awareness due to their association with traumatic or distressing events. These memories may resurface later through therapy or other means. The debate surrounding repressed memories involves controversy over their reliability and whether they accurately reflect past events.