Chapter 4 Forgetting Flashcards
forgetting
the inability to retrieve information previously stored in LTM
retrieval failure theory
a theory of forgetting that states that memories are inaccessible because retrieval cues that were present when the memory was formed are missing at the time of retrieval
cue
a piece of information that helps you retrieve information from LTM
tip-of-the-tongue (TOT) phenomenon
when we remember some information about the word/information we are trying to recall but we cannot remember the actual word/information needed
interference theory
theory of forgetting that refers to the tendency for other memories, either new or old, to impair the retrieval of a required memory
retroactive interference
the tendency for new information to obstruct the retrieval of previously learnt information
proactive interference
the tendency for previously learnt information to obstruct the retrieval of newly learnt information
motivated forgetting
a theory of forgetting that states that forgetting of LTMs occurs because of a conscious or unconscious desire to block painful or traumatic memories from entering our consciousness
repression
a form of motivated forgetting, where an individual unconsciously blocks painful or traumatic memories from entering conscious awareness
suppression
a form of motivated forgetting, where an individual conscious/deliberately blocks painful or traumatic memories from entering conscious awareness
decay theory
a theory of forgetting that states that forgetting occurs due to the gradual fading of memory traces over time due to disuse
forgetting curve
a graph that displays the rate and amount of information that is lost, or forgotten, over time
nonsense syllables
meaningless sets of three letters that are stung together - usually consisting the two consonants and a vowel, in any order
recall
a measure of retention that involves retrieving stored information using few or no cues for assistance
free recall
recalling information from memory in any order with no cues for assistance
serial recall
recalling information from memory in the order or sequence in which it was learnt, with no cues for assistance
cued recall
recalling information from memory with some cues or hints for assistance
recognition
a measure of retention that involves identifying previously learnt information from a list or group of alternatives
distracter
a false item, similar to the correct item, that is included with items to be recognised and can lead to unreliable identification
relearning
a measure of retention that involves learning information that has been previously learnt and stored in LTM as a means of assessing whether any information was retained from the original learning
savings score
a formula that calculates the percentage of information retained from original learning after relearning has occurred
encoding specificity principle
the theory that the more closely retrieval cues match the original learning conditions, the greater the chance of recalling the information
context-dependent cues
environment cues in the specific context or environment where the memory was formed, which enhance the retrieval of memories formed in that context
imagery
forming a mental representation, or mental picture, of an item or scene
state-dependent cues
retrieval cues associated with your internal physiological or psychological state at the time the memory was formed, which enhance the retrieval of memories formed in that state
mnemonic device
a system or technique that aids memory retention
mental association
creating a meaningful connection between information to be learnt and information already stored in memory (LTM)
narrative chaining
a mnemonic device that involves linking unrelated items to create a story-like sequence of events
acronym
a mnemonic device involving constructing a pronounceable word using the first letter of each word of the information to be recalled
acrostic
a mnemonic device that involves constructing a phrase or sentence from words that begin with the first letter of each word of the information to be recalled
memory reconstruction
remembering past events and features of these events and putting them together during memory recall
schema
a preconceived idea that represents an aspect of the word or the things in it, influenced by culture and experience
eye-witness testimony
a statement from an individual who has viewed an event, giving their personal account of that event
leading question
a question that features incorrect information as a means of implanting false memories
