Question

This physical trace of memory is known as the _____. a. engram b. Lashley effect c. Deese-Roediger-McDermott Paradigm d. flashbulb memory effect

Short answer

The physical trace of memory is known as the 'engram'.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the term definitions

An 'engram' refers to a physical trace of memory. \'Lashley effect' is not a term used in psychology. The 'Deese-Roediger-McDermott Paradigm' refers to a technique used in cognitive psychology to study false memory in humans. 'Flashbulb memory effect' is the term referring to highly detailed, exceptionally vivid 'snapshot' memories of the moment and circumstances in which surprising and consequential (or emotionally arousing) news was heard.

Match the terms to the definitions

From the available options, the term 'engram' is the only one that pertains to a 'physical trace of memory'. The terms, 'Lashley effect' and 'Deese-Roediger-McDermott Paradigm' and 'flashbulb memory effect' are unrelated to the physical trace of memory.

Confirm the answer

Based on the definitions and matching them with the provided choices, the term 'engram' is the correct answer. It is the term that refers to the physical trace of memory.

Key concepts

Engram

In the realm of psychology and neuroscience, the term 'engram' refers to the physical embodiment of a memory in the brain. It is the idea that memories are stored physiologically in specific neural networks. When you learn something new, your brain undergoes physical changes, with neurons connecting in a distinctive pattern that represents the memory. This concept hails from the work of Karl Lashley in the early 20th century, who searched for the location of memory traces in the brain. Although he never identified a specific engram, modern science has made progress in understanding memory encoding, with techniques such as brain imaging enabling us to see how memories might be stored.

Anatomy of an Engram:
Ideally, an engram could be pinpointed to a specific location in the brain, yet memory is not stored in just one place. Different types of memory are stored in different areas. For instance, the hippocampus is known to be crucial for the formation of new memories, and certain cortex regions are involved in long-term storage.

• An engram encompasses the changes that occur in brain structures such as synapse strength.
• Memory consolidation is the process by which an engram becomes stable, potentially involving protein synthesis and changes in gene expression.
• Recollecting a memory activates the neural pathway forged when the engram was created, and this reactivation can strengthen the memory.

Deese-Roediger-McDermott Paradigm

The 'Deese-Roediger-McDermott Paradigm', commonly abbreviated as DRM, is an experimental procedure used to study false memories. Researchers Deese, Roediger, and McDermott identified that individuals often recall words or concepts that were not part of an original list but are semantically related to those on the list. This phenomenon suggests the associative nature of human memory and how easily memory can be influenced and malleable.

Understanding DRM:
In a classic DRM experiment, participants are presented with a list of words like 'sleep, bed, tired, dream', all related to the concept of 'sleep' - but the word 'sleep' itself is never mentioned. Despite that, many participants later report 'remembering' that 'sleep' was on the list.

• This paradigm demonstrates how suggestible our memories can be and how recall is not always an accurate replay of events.
• The experiment also helps to understand memory errors, which have crucial implications for areas such as eyewitness testimony.
• Studying DRM effects aids in grasping the distinction between what was actually experienced and the mind's constructed narratives.

Flashbulb Memory Effect

The 'flashbulb memory effect' is another fascinating aspect of human memory, referring to vivid, detailed recollections of momentous events. These memories are like a snapshot of the moment when an emotionally significant event occurred, searing the event into our memories with great detail.

Characteristics of Flashbulb Memories:
H4 What Makes Them Unique
Unlike everyday memories, flashbulb memories involve a heightened level of emotional arousal and they typically surround unexpected, significant events, such as hearing about a natural disaster or a public figure's death.

• Despite their vividness, flashbulb memories are not exempt from inaccuracies or alterations over time.
• The emotional intensity associated with the formation of a flashbulb memory is thought to play a role in why these memories are so enduring and detailed.
• Researchers study these to understand how emotion affects memory consolidation and retrieval.

The accuracy of these snapshots is a matter of scientific debate, but their existence demonstrates the emotional components that influence how we remember and the strength of our most vivid recollections.