Ch. 6 Attention y Memory Flashcards
information-processing model*
use of computer metaphor to explain how people process stimuli
(ie) info enter system, info transformed, coded y stored in various ways
sensory memory
a brief y almost identical representation of the stimuli that exists in the observable environment
- unlimited capacity
speed of processing*
how quickly y efficiently the early steps in info processing are completed
- decreases w/ age
processing resources
the amount of attention one has to apply to a particular situation
- decreases w/ age
inhibitory loss
more difficult time ignoring irrelevant info
older adults have reduced processing resources b/c they have difficulty inhibiting the processing of irrelevant info
divided attention
(attentional resources) concerns of how well ppl perform multiple tasks simultaneously
- decreases w/ age
(ie) driving a car = steering wheel, gas pedal, attention to traffic, attention to speed, etc.
automatic processing
minimal demands on attentional capacity y gets info into the system largely w/out us being aware of it
- unconscious
- very little demands
(ie) those who have driven for years no longer have to think about what a sign means, they just know
effortful processing*
requires all of the available attentional capacity
(ie) learning words on a list
encoding*
the process of getting info into the memory system
- decreases w/ age
storage**
the manner in which info is represented y kept in memory
- no change w/ age
retrieval*
getting info back out of memory
- decreases w/ age
working memory
aka short-term memory
the active processes y structures involved in holding info in mind y simultaneously using that info (aveces in conjunction w/ incoming info) to solve a problem, make a decision, or learn new info
- small capacity
rehearsal*
the process that info is held in working memo either by:
(1) repeating items over y over
(2) by making meaningful connections btwn the info in working memory y information already known
- ability to make connections decreases w/ age
implicit memory**
aka procedural memory
retrieval of info w/out conscious or intentional recollection
explicit memory**
aka declarative memory
intentional y conscious remembering of info learned/remembered @ a specific point in time
long-term memory
the ability to remember rather extensive amounts of info from a few seconds to a few hours to decades
- unlimited capacity of storage
- easy storage, harder retrieval
semantic memory
learning and remembering the meaning of words/concepts
- general knowledge based
(ie) knowing the definition of words in order to complete cross-word puzzles
(ie) being able to translate Englinsh into French
(ie) understanding a speaker
episodic memory
memory having to do w/ conscious recollection of info from a specific event or point in time
- based on cues to the original experience
(ie) remembering a memorized poem from 3rd grade
tip-of-the-tongue (TOT)**
when you try to retrieve a name or word you are certain you know but it is not quite accessible @ the moment
recall
process of remembering info w/out the help of hints or cues
recognition
selecting previously learned info from among several items
strategy**
anything ppl do to make the task easier y increase the efficiency of encoding or retrieval
prospective memory
remembering to remember something in the future
- middle age worse in this area compared to other age groups
(ie) remembering to pick up the children after school
(ie) remembering dinner date next Friday evening
autobiographical memory
remembering info y events from our own life
- decreases w/ age
flashbulb memories
memories for personally traumatic or unexpected events
(ie) recalling where I was when 9/11 happened
source memory*
the ability to remember the source of a familiar event as well as the ability to determine if an event was imagined or actually experienced
Density of Representations Yields Age-related Deficits (DRYAD) model**
model that proposes older adults are presumed to have less valid representations of events y objects than are young adults
false memory
when one remembers items or events that did not occur
cognitive reserve**
factors that provide flexibility in responding y adapting to changes in the environment
metamemory**
knowledge about how memory works y what we believe to be true about it
- type of self-evaluation
memory monitoring**
awareness of what we are doing w/ our memory right now
- type of self-evaluation
memory self-efficacy**
the belief one will be able to perform a specific task
explicit memory**
conscious y intentional recollection of info
(ie) remembering definition on an exam
implicit memory**
effortless y unconscious recollection of information
external aid**
memory aid that relies on environmental resources
(ie) notebooks y calendars
internal aid**
memory aid that relies on mental processes
(ie) imagery
temporal global amnesia (TGA)**
temporary experience of a complete memory loss y disorientation in time
semantic autobiographical memory
knowledge of past w/out necessarily remembering order or the specific event
(ie) Arntz got divorced twice
factors that preserve memory*
(1) exercising memory
(2) multilingualism
(3) semantic meaning in service of episodic memory
(4) negative stereotypes y self-efficacy
