7 Memory and Forgetting Flashcards
is the ability to retain information over time through three processes: encoding, storing, and retrieving.
Memory
is the ability to retain information over time through three processes:
encoding, storing, retrieving
is the first step to processing a data or information. The data collected from the environment through our senses are converted into psychological formats that can be mentally represented through semantic codes so that they can be recognized at once when recalled.
encoding
is the second process of memory in which the data or information are stored and maintained in the memory over time.
storing
is the third process of memory whereby the stored data or information are taken out of memory.
retrieving
refers to an initial process that receives and holds environmental information in its raw form for a brief period of time, from an instant to several seconds.
sensory memory
is a form of sensory memory that automatically holds visual information for about a quarter of a second or more; as soon as you shift your attention, the information disappears
iconic memory
is a form of sensory memory that holds auditory information for 1 or 2 seconds.
echoic memory
also called working memory, refers to another process that can hold only a limited amount of information (an average of seven items) for only s short period of time (2 to 30 seconds).
short-term memory
2 ways to improve short-term memory
- chunking
- rehearsal
involves grouping, or “packing” information that exceeds the 7 ± 2 memory span into higher-order units that can be remembered as single units.
chunking
defines rehearsal as the conscious repetition of information.
Santrock (2005)
Information stored in short- term memory lasts half a minute or less without rehearsal. If rehearsal is not interrupted, however, information can be retained indefinitely.
rehearsal
refers to the process of storing almost unlimited amounts of information over a long period of time.
long-term memory
what are the long-term memory
- procedural memory
- declarative memory
kind of declarative memory
- semantic memory
- episodic memory
is memory for factual information: names, faces, dates, and facts such as “a bike has two wheels”.
declarative memory
is a memory for general knowledge and facts about the world, as well as memory for the rules of logic that are used to deduce other facts.
semantic memory
is memory for events that occur in a particular time, place, or context.
episodic memory
refers to memory for skills and habits as how to ride a bike or hit a baseball.
procedural memory
refers to the inability to retrieve, recall, or recognize information that was stored or is still in long-term memory.
forgetting
reasons for forgetting
- repression
- poor retrieval cues
- amnesia
- interference
is a mental process that automatically hides emotionally threatening or anxiety-producing information in the unconscious.
repression
are mental reminders that we create by forming vivid mental images or creating associations between new information and information we already know.
poor retrieval cues
is the loss of memory that may occur after a blow or damage to the brain (temporary or permanent), after drug use, or after severe psychological stress.
amnesia
One of the common- reasons for forgetting, this means that the recall of some particular memory is blocked or prevented by other related memories.
interference
occurs when old information (learned earlier) blocks or disrupts the remembering of related new information (learned later)
proactive inteference
occurs when new information (learned later) blocks or disrupts the retrieval of related old information (learned earlier).
retroactive interference
kinds of interference
-proactive interference
-retroactive interference
improving memory
- exercise regularly
- enough sleep
- manage stress
- give your brain a workout
are clues of any kind that help us remember something, usually by helping us associate the information we want to remember with a visual image, a sentence, or a word.
mnemonics
what are mnemonic devices
- visual image
- acrostic
- acronym
- rhymes and alliteration
- chunking
- method of loci
Associate a visual image with a word or name to help you remember them better. Positive, pleasant images that are vivid, colorful, and three-dimensional will be easier to remember.
visual image
To remember the name Rosa Parks and what she’s known for, picture a woman sitting on a park bench surrounded by roses, waiting as her bus pulls up.
visual image
Make up a sentence in which the first letter of each word is part of or represents the initial of what you want to remember.
acrostic
The sentence “Every good boy does fine” to memorize the lines of the treble clef, representing the notes E, G, B, D, and F
acrostic
An acronym is a word that is made up by taking the first letters of all the key words or ideas you need to remember and creating a new word out of them.
acronym
The word “HOMES” to remember the names of the Great Lakes: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior.
acronym
Rhymes, alliteration (a repeating sound of syllable), and even jokes are a memorable way to remember more mundane facts and figures.
rhymes and alliteration
The rhyme “Thirty days hath September, April, June, and November” to remember the months of the year with only 30 days in them.
rhymes and alliteration
breaks a long list of numbers or other types of information into smaller, more manageable chunks.
chunking
Remembering a 10-digit phone number by breaking it down into three sets of numbers: 939-991-5596 (as opposed to 9399915596
chunking
Imagine placing the items you want to remember along a route you know well or in specific locations in familiar room or building.
method of loci
For a shopping list, imagine bananas in the entryway to your home, a puddle of milk in the middle of the sofa, eggs going up the stairs, and bread on your bed.
method of loci
