2.5 - Storing Memories Flashcards
Short-term memory
the part of memory that stores a small amount of information for a short time. It’s also known as primary memory, active memory, or short-term storage.
maintenance rehearsal
Maintenance rehearsal involves repeating information over and over again to keep it in short-term memory. This type of rehearsal is usually shallow and does not involve attaching any new meaning to the information.
For example, if you’re trying to remember a phone number briefly, you might repeat it several times to yourself until you dial it. However, this doesn’t usually lead to long-term retention of the number because the information isn’t deeply processed.
Maintenance rehearsal is effective for keeping information in mind temporarily but is generally less effective for creating lasting memories. (keep info active in short term memory)
elaborative rehearsal
Elaborative rehearsal, on the other hand, is a more complex and meaningful way of processing information. It involves linking new information with existing knowledge, making associations, or understanding the meaning of the information rather than just repeating it.
For example, if you’re studying a new psychology term, you might connect it to concepts you already know or relate it to personal experiences. This deeper level of processing helps create stronger and longer-lasting memories because it involves understanding rather than just rote repetition.
Elaborative rehearsal is much more effective for transferring information into long-term memory, as it encourages meaningful encoding.
(encode info for deep long term retention)
autobiographical memory (hsam)
the ability to recall and reflect on personal experiences, events, and emotions. It’s a complex memory system that helps people maintain a sense of self and identity. Only related to episodic memories not semantic or procedural.
self-reference effect
relating material to ourselves, aids encoding and retention.
Students should create personal examples of vocabulary terms so it is meaningful
retrograde amnesia
refers to an inability to retrieve memory of the past.
can be caused by head injury or emotional trauma and is often temporary.
It can also be caused by more severe brain damage; in that case, it may include anterograde amnesia.
anterograde amnesia
amnesia refers to an inability to form new long-term declarative/ explicit memories.
alzheimers disease
decreased ability to recall recent events and the names of familiar objects and people
emotional unpredictability; flat, then uninhibited, then angry
confusion, disorientation, and eventual inability to think or communicate, sleeping all day
loss of brain cells and neural network connections
deterioration of neurons that produce acetylcholine, the memory neurotransmitter
shriveled and broken protein filaments forming plaques at the tips of neurons
dramatic shrinking of the brain
Infantile amnesia
Implicit memory from infancy can be retained, including skills and conditioned responses. However, explicit memories, our recall for episodes, only goes back to about age 3 for most people.
Encoding: the memories were not stored well because the hippocampus is one of the last brain areas to develop.
Forgetting/retrieval: the adult mind thinks more in a linear verbal narrative and has trouble accessing preverbal memories as declarative memories.
