Gender And Memory Essay

People rely on incoming information and stored information to perform their everyday functions. However, humans have a natural capacity of how much information they can attain. We are unable to store all of our acquired information without different systems that organize our information. Working memory is one of these systems that temporarily holds and manages information for cognitive processing (119). Baddeley’s working memory model is made up of four components that allow for temporary information to be stored (109).

He author a paper that was one of the most quoted papers in the field. The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two, suggested new ideas about the way immediate memory works, stating that short term memory is limited to holding about seven “chunks’ of information. This limit applied to short term memory and other cognitive processes, like distinguishing different sound tones and perceiving objects at a glance. Chunking is a diverse phenomenon in psychology and cognitive science. Free recall amongst other tests can demonstrate “Chunking,” the task requires individuals to repeat items they had been previously instructed to study. The probability of recall is bigger when chunking is used. Chunking is considered a flexible way of learning. Miller observed that some human cognitive tasks fit the model of a “channel capacity,” but short term memory did not. An assortment of studies could recap by stating that short term memory had a capacity of about “seven plus or minus two chunks. Miller recognized that we are not very definite about what constitutes a chunk of information. According to his theory, it should be possible to increase short term memory for low information content successfully by mentally recording it into smaller higher information content. Chunking as a memory mechanism can be observed in the way we group number and information in our day to day life. Different kinds

Outline and evaluate research in to the duration, capacity and encoding information in short term memory.

Gender differences have been recorded by researches from single neurons in the cell to system level processes (Cahill 2006), and certain scientists proposed that sex hormones influence the development of prefrontal cortex, and this is supposed to be the cause of the differences in working memory performance (Duff & Hampson, 2001). This study further investigated the existence and nature of this gender difference. A sample of 497 Monash University psychology undergraduates (385 females and 112 males; ages 18 – 64) were recruited for this study. Working memory performance was tested with online 'spatial working memory ' test, and 2D:4D finger length ratio was used as an indirect measure of sex hormone levels. The results revealed no sex differences in the working memory performance, but variance in 2D:4D ratio – females had a larger ratio than males. Memory reaction time was negatively correlated with 2D:4D ratio, thus, females had a quicker reaction time.

Memory span is a measure of short term memory and its capacity through the use of a list. Participants are asked to review a list of items, retain, and immediately recall as accurate as possible. The list may be conducted with a random list of numbers, words, or letters since these items may influence differently amongst each participant. The list is also varied in item length to test in which particular length the participant is subject to make the least of errors and determine their memory span. The average short-term memory capacity is ranged

Researchers such as Logie, Baddeley and Bunge generally agree that the short-term memory is made up of a number of components or subsystems. The working memory model has replaced the idea of a unitary store short-term memory as suggested by the multistore model. The working memory model explains a lot more and in a lot more detail than the multistore model. It makes sense a range of tasks- verbal reasoning, comprehension, reading, problem solving and visual and spatial processing, it also applies to real life tasks such as reading which involves the phonological loop subsystem, problem solving which involves the central executive and navigation which involves the visual and spatial subsystem. The Working Memory Model is supported by

Atkinson’s and Shiffrin’s (1968) multi-store model was extremely successful in terms of the amount of research it generated. However, as a result of this research, it became apparent that there were a number of problems with their ideas concerning the characteristics of short-term memory. Building on this research, Baddeley and Hitch (1974) developed an alternative model of short-term memory which they called working memory. Baddeley and Hitch (1974) argued that the picture of short-term memory (STM) provided by the Multi-Store Model is far too simple. According to the Multi-Store Model, STM holds limited amounts of information for short periods of time with relatively little processing. It is

Our short-term memory is said to require the allocation of cognitive resources (Atkinson & Shiffrin 1968). Peterson & Peterson (1959) conducted the classic study of short-term

Prior to reading the article Doing Gender, I have never paid attention to the concept of doing gender. I found it interesting how these roles go so unnoticed because they are so enforced in our society. We never stop to think or questions if an individual’s actions are masculine or feminine. For example, some of us are just so use to having our mothers cook and our dad’s do all the heavy lifting but we never stop to think why is it like this or what does this represent.

Some coeducation advocates agree that there are at least a few miniscule physiological differences in male and female brains, but they also say there is a lack of evidence that these differences in the brain are important to learning at a personal level. However, there has been abounding evidence to prove that the differences in female and male brains are quite different and it does have an impact on individual learning, especially for younger children. A team of neuroscientists from the National Institute of Mental Health

Age and gender play a role in the rate of recognition of known and unknown stimuli. Francois Guillem and Melody Mograss (2004) conducted a continuous recognition memory task using male and female participants between the ages of 20-35 years old. Participants were shown pictures of unfamiliar faces and asked to identify whether they had or had not previously seen the face. Research shows that females have a faster recognition rate for both familiar and unfamiliar stimuli (Guillem et al,2004). Males process information or stimuli differently than females, in part due to brain structure and activation of neurons, but also because males tend to maintain less information and are quick to make decisions while females are more detail-oriented

Comparing men to women, men nonresponders had better memory than control for unpleasant pictures while women had better overall recognition than men. The higher the cortisol response, the worse their recall was. Cortisol reduced the performance of memory retrieval. Thus, nonresponders had better memory retrieval than cortisol producers. Sex does make a difference as men are more effected in improving and reducing their performance from stress. Since men had a higher cortisol response than women did, this explains women’s better ability to recall memories.

This essay addresses the working memory model which was proposed by Baddeley and Hitch (1974 in Smith & Kosslyn, 2007) as a response to Atkinson and Shiffrins (1968 in Smith, 2007) multi-store model. According to Baddely and Hitch the multi-store model failed to explain most of the complexities of the human memory and viewed it as being too simplistic. They argued that the short term memory store must have more components rather it being a single inflexible store as suggested previously by Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968). The working memory model is therefore an enhancement of the multi store model. According to Baddeley and Hitch working memory is a limited- capacity system that stores and processes information.

     For many years society has embraced the idea that the difference between men and women were biologically determined. Thou through traditions, media, and peers we act accordingly to how others view us. Each individual has pressure placed upon them based on their gender. Our sex is determined by genetics while our gender is programmed by social customs. Some theories interpret that a women is tender and a loving mother while on the other hand men are aggressive hunters and are the dominant one of the family. People who support this theory seems to believe that men and women are happier when fulfilling the roles nature determined for them. Women are to be nurturing and men are to be providers by

The textbook identifies four approaches to gender development: biological, interpersonal, cultural, and critical. Define each theory. Then answer the following question: which of the theoretical approaches to gender do you find the most valid? Be sure to include at least two examples from your own experience as well as two scholarly sources to back up your claim.