Chapter 4 Flashcards
Short-term memory r
refers to the memory system that is responsible for holding onto a small amount of information that has been recently taken in from the environment.
Long Term Memory
Long-term memory has a large capacity and contains your memory for experiences and information that have accumulated throughout your lifetime.
chunk
is a memory unit that consists of several components that are strongly associated with one another.
Brown/Peter&Peterson technique
Involves presenting participants with some items that they are instructed to remember. Participants then perform a distracting task. After spending some time on the distracting task, participants are subsequently asked to recall the original items.
Rehearsal
means repeating the items silently
serial-position effect
refers to the U-shaped relationship between a word’s position in a list and its probability of accurate recall.
recency effect
better reca;; for items at the end of a list
primacy effect
enhanced recall accuracy for items at the beginning og the list.
semantics
the meaning of words and sentences
Proactive Interference ( PI)
People have trouble learning new material because previously learned material keeps interfering with their new learning
release from proactive interference
A memory phenomenon in which proactive interference is reduced when a person switches from one category of stimuli, to a new category ( e.g. a person may initially see the names of fruits, but then he or she sees the names of occupations ). This release from proactive interference leads to increased recall for the new category
Information-processing approach
is one approach to cognition, arguing that a) our mental processes are similar to the operations of a computer b) information progresses through our cognitive system in a series of stages, one step at a time.
Atkinson-Shrifrin model
proposed that memory involves a sequence of separate steps . In each step, information is transferred from one storage area to another.
Sensory memory
is a storage system that records information from each of the senses with reasonable accuracy.
control processes
intentional strategies - such as rehearsal - that people may use to improve their memory
Working memory
is the brief, immediate memory for the limited amount of material that you are currently processing ; part of working memory also actively coordinates your ongoing mental activities.
Working-memory approach
proposed by Baddeley, our immediate memory is a multipart system that temporarily holds and manipulates information while we perform cognitive tasks.
Phonological loop
can process a limited number of sounds for a short period of time. The phonological loop processes language and other sounds that you hear, as well as the sounds that you make. It is also active during subvocalization
subvocalization
when you silently pronounce the words that you are reading
acoustic confusions
people are likely to confuse similar-sounding stimuli
self-instruction
when you silently remind yourself about something you need to do in the future or how to use some complicated equipment. In fact, talking to yourself- in moderation - is a useful cognitive strategy.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ( TMS)
is a neuroscience technique that uses a magnetic field to briefly stimulate a specific location on the cortex.
Visuospation sketchpad
processes both visual and spatial information. This kind of working memory allows you to look at a complex scene and gather visual information about objects and landmarks. It also allows you to navigate from one location to another.
Central executive
integrates information from the phonological loop, the visuosketchpad, the episodic buffer and long-term memory. The central executive also plays a major role in focusing attention, selecting strategies, transforming information, and coordinating behaviour.
episodic buffer
serves as a temporary storehouse that can hold and combine information from your phonological loop, you visuosketchpad and long-term memory.
major depression
a mental disorder in which individuals feel sad, discouraged and hopeless. He or she typically reports feeling fatigued, with little interest in leisure activities.
ruminative style
individuals may worry about all the things that are wrong in their life
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ( ADHD)
is a psychological disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder ( GAD)
is a debilitating disorder characterized by chronic, persistent, and excessive worry.
Difference between the central executive and the episodic buffer
Executive = top boss. Think of the sketchpad and phonological loop as “workers” of the central executive, which pretty much coordinates the activity of both components.
The episodic buffer is essentially an integrating center for short and long term memory. It’s particularly important with working memory and retrieving information.
