Memory worksheet - 360 - Assignment Example

Memory worksheet Affiliation: What is primary memory? What are the characteristics of primary memory?This is the initial storage location of information once it is acquired. It is also known as short term memory or the active memory which an individual is aware of at all times. The memory contains information that individuals need to retrieve quickly. The information stored in the primary memory is stored for a very short period of time before being transferred to the secondary memory also known as the long term memory (Willingham, 2004).

However, the storage can be a bit longer if the information is kept on being rehearsed. There is some of the information however which is simply lost and is not transferred to the long term memory. The capacity of the memory varies in individuals and which ranges from 5 to 9 chunks of information with an average person having an approximate 4 chunks.2. What is the process of memory from perception to retrieval? What happens when the process is compromised?Information is passed from the different senses through the nerve cells and moves as electronic impulses activating the neurotransmitters along the way which move through the spaces of the nerve cells to the neurons and finally to the brain.

They reach the brain and are stored as primary memory. Information is encoded at this point, linked to existing memories and stored in the long term memory. Not all information however is stored in the long term memory as others are lost in the short term memory (Willingham, 2004). The retrieval process will require access of the stored information in the long term memory. The retrieval can happen in four different ways the first being recall where the information is accessed without any cue.

There is recollection which involves reconstruction of memories and clues as well as bits of information. Recognition is where by the memory is identified after being experienced again and there is relearning where the information already stored is relearned in order to remember it. In case the process of perception or retrieval is compromised, then the information is completely lost or only partially stored and hence the retrieval will not be successful and may require relearning of the information once again for it to be stored again.3. Is it possible for memory retrieval to be unreliable?

Why or why not? What factors may affect the reliability of one’s memory?Yes it is possible for memory retrieval to be unreliable because the storage process may have been compromised and hence the information stored is partial or wrong and hence cannot be relied on. There are several factors that affect the reliability of memory such as genetics, disorders, insomnia, head trauma, stress and age among many others. When a person suffers an accident and gets head trauma, they are likely to suffer memory loss called amnesia which may be temporary or permanent.

As people age, they tend to forget more things as their memory capacity reduces as well losing the information stored. When individuals lack sleep for long periods of time or are under constant high levels of stress, it affects their brain capacity and ability and hence reliability of their memory is not good. The greatest factor of all is memory disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s disease, Dementia, Autism, Korsakoff’s syndrome, Parkinson’s disease and Schizophrenia among others.

ReferencesWillingham, D. (2004). Cognition: The Thinking Animal. New York: Pearson/ Prentice Hall.