Chapter 5 Flashcards
memory
any system - human, animal, or machine - that encodes, stores, and retrieves information
information-processing model
a cognitive understanding of memory - emphasized how information is changed when it is encoded, stored and retrieved
encoding
1st basic task of memory - modification of information to fit the preferred format of the memory system
storage
2nd basic task of memory - involves the retention of encoded memory over time
retrieval
3rd basic task of memory - involves the location and recovery of information from memory
eidetic imagery
especially clear and persistent form of memory - photographic memory
sensory memory
1st of 3 memory stages - aims at preserving brief sensory impressions of stimuli
working memory
2nd of 3 memory stages - aims at preserving recently perceived events or experiences for less than a minute without any rehearsal - most limited stage
long-term memory
3rd of 3 memory stages - largest capacity and longest duration, stores material according to meaning
chunking
organizing a piece of information into a smaller number of meaningful units (chunks) - it frees up space in working memory
maintenance rehearsal
working-memory process in which information is merely repeated or reviewed to keep from being lost
elaborate rehearsal
working-memory process in which information is constantly reviewed and related to information already known
acoustic encoding
the conversion of information, especially semantic information, to sound patterns in working memory
levels-of-processing theory
the explanation for the fact that information that is more thoroughly connected to items in long-term memory will be remembered better
procedural memory
long-term memory storage for information based on “how things are done”
declarative memory
long-term memory storage for information based on facts, includes episodic and semantic memory
episodic memory
declarative memory that store events (episodes)
semantic memory
declarative memory that stores general knowledge like definitions and concepts
schema
cluster of related information that represents ideas or concepts in semantic memory, provides a context for understanding objects and events
childhood amnesia
the inability to remember events during the first 2-3 years of life
engram
physical changes in the brain associated with memory, AKA memory trace
anterograde amnesia
the inability to form new memories
consolidation
the process in which short-term memory becomes long-term memory over time
retrograde amnesia
the inability to remember previously store information in memory
flashbulb memory
a clear and vivid long-term memory of an especially meaningful and emotional event
implicit memory
a memory that was not deliberately learned or which you had no conscious awareness
explicit memory
a memory that has been processed with attention and that can be consciously recalled
retrieval cue
a stimulus used to bring a memory to consciousness or to cue a behavior
priming
a technique for cuing implicit memories by providing cues that stimulate a memory without awareness of the connection between the cue and the prepared memory
gist
the sense or meaning, in contrast to the exact details
recall
a retrieval method in which one must reproduce previously presented information
recognition
a retrieval method in which one must identify present stimuli as having been previously presented information
encoding specificity principle
the doctrine that memory is encoded and stored with specific cues related to the context in which it was formed. The more closely the retrieval cues match the information as it was encoded, the better it will be remembered.
mood-congruent memory
a memory process that selectively retrieves one’s memory to match one’s mood
prospective memory
the aspect of memory that enables one to remember to take some action in the future - as remembering a doctor’s appointment
TOT phenomenon
The inability to recall a word while knowing that it is one’s memory. “on the tip of the tongue”
transience
the impermanence of long-term memory…the idea that it fades in strength over time
forgetting curve
a graph plotting the amount of retention and forgetting over time for a certain batch of material, typically steep at first and flatter as time moves one…a quicker drop, followed by a slower one
proactive interference
where previous information prevents the learning and remember of new information
retroactive interference
when new information prevents retrieval of the previously stored information
serial position effect
interference based on the sequence in which material is presented, typically one remembers the beginning and the end, while the middle is left forgotten
absent-mindedness
forgetting caused by lapses in attention
blocking
forgetting that occurs when an item in memory can’t be accessed or retrieved
misattribution
a memory fault that occurs when memory is retrieved but are associated with the wrong person, place, time
suggestibility
memory distortion as the result of deliberate or inadvertent suggestion
misinformation effect
distortion of memory by suggestion or misinformation
expectancy bias
the unconscious tendency to remember events as being congruent with our own expectations
self-consistency bias
the commonly held idea that we are more consistent in our attitudes, opinions, and beliefs than we actually are
persistance
a memory problem when unwanted memories cannot be put out of mind
mnemonic strategy
technique for improving memory by connecting new information to ones that were previously stored
method of loci
a mnemonic technique that involves associating items on a list with familiar locations
natural language mediator
word associated with new information to be remembered
whole method
mnemonic strategy of first approaching the material to be learned “as a whole,” forming an impression with the overall meaning of the material. The details are later associated with that impression
distributed learning
a technique where the learner spaces learning sessions over time compared to doing it all at once
