Ch. 8 Memory Flashcards
memory
persistence of learning over time through the encoding, storage, and retrieval of information
recall
a measure of memory in which the person must retrieve information learned earlier
recognition
measure of memory in which the person identifies items previously learned
relearning
measure of memory that assesses the amount of time saved when learning material again
encoding
process of getting information into the memory system
storage
process of retaining encoded information over time
retrieval
process of getting information out of the memory storage
sensory memory
immediate, brief recording of sensory information in the memory system
short-term memory
briefly activated memory of few items later forgotten
long-term memory
relatively permanent and limitless archive of the memory system
working memory
newer understanding of short-term memory; conscious, active processing of both incoming sensory information and information retrieved from long-term memory
explicit memory
retention of facts and experiences we can consciously know or declare
effortful processing
encoding that requires attention and conscious effort
automatic processing
unconscious encoding of incidental information, such as space, time, and of familiar or well-learned information such as sounds, smells
implicit memory
retention of learned skills or classically conditioned associations independent of conscious collection
iconic memory
momentary sensory memory of visual stimuli
echoic memory
momentary sensory memory of auditory stimuli
chunking
organizing new items into familiar, manageable units, occurs automatically
mnemonics
memory aids, use vivid imagery and organizational devices
spacing effect
tendency for distributed study or practice to yield better long-term retention than is achieved through massed study/practice
testing effect
enhanced memory after retrieving , rather than simply rereading information
shallow processing
encoding on a basic level
deep processing
encoding semantically
semantic memory
explicit memory of facts and general knowledge
episodic memory
explicit memory of personally experienced events
hippocampus
neural center located in limbic system; helps process explicit memories for storage
memory consolidation
neural storage of a long-term memory
long-term potentiation
increase in nerve cell’s firing potential after brief, rapid stimulation
priming
activation, of particular associations in memory
encoding specificity principle
idea that cues and context specific to a particular memory will be most effective in helping us recall it
mood-congruent memory
tendency to recall experiences that are consistent with one’s current good/bad mood
serial position effect
tendency to recall best the last and first items in a list
anterograde amnesia
inability to form new memories
retrograde amnesia
inability to remember information from one’s past
proactive interference
forward-acting disruptive effect of older learning on the recall of new information
retroactive interference
backward-acting disruptive effect of newer learning on the recall of old information
reconsolidation
process in which previously stored memories, when retrieved, are potentially altered before being stored again
misinformation effect
occurs when a memory has been corrupted by misleading information
source amnesia
faulty memory for how, when or where information was learned or imagined
deja vu
cues from current situation unconsciously trigger retrieval of earlier experiences
