Chapter 5 (Memory Structures) Flashcards
when information is first translated into a form that other cognitive processes can use
encoding
calling to mind previously stored information
retrieval
occurs when we cannot retrieve information
forgetting
assumes that information is received, processed, and stored differently for each kind of memory
modal model of memory
unattended information stored only briefly in, connected to perception
sensory memory
attended information is held in ____ for 20-30 seconds
short term memory
information needed for longer periods of time
long term memory
types of sensory memory
visual, auditory, olfactory, tactile
visual memory is also called
iconic
auditory memory is also called
echoic
showed that the icon can be erased by other stimuli
masking
people recall more words at either the beginning or end of the list than they do words in the middle
serial position effect
improved recall of words at the beginning of a list
primacy effect
improved recall of words at the end of the list
recency effect
the number of items short term memory can hold
7 +- 2
length of time for short term memory
about a minute
the way in which information is mentally represented
coding
length of time when information is lost, about 20 seconds
retention duration
the encoded mental representation of the to-be-remembered information
memory trace
automatic fading of memory traces
decay
the disruption of memory traces by other traces
inteference
old information makes it difficult to acquire new information
proactive interference
new information makes it difficult to recall old information
retroactive interference
short term memory uses ____ search
serial, exhaustive search
length of time for long term memory
indefinite, some can last for decades at a time
capacity of long term memory
virtually unlimited
acoustic similarity affects _____, semantic similarity affects ____
STM, LTM
how long term memory is coded
semantics
participants hear lists of pairs of words, then presented with the first word of each pair, participants must recall the word paired with it
paired associates learning
points to and leads to the recovery of a target memory
retrieval cue
as research participants study more facts, the time they need to retrieve a particular fact increases
fan effect
states that material organized into categories is more easily recalled
categorization
the idea that memory is improved when information available at encoding is also available at retrieval
encoding specificity
recall is best when performed in the original environment
context effect
in the working memory model, STM is equated with
consciousness, place that governs flow of information and processes
consists of a limited capacity workspace that can be divided between storage and control processing
working memory
three components of working memory
central executive, visuospatial sketchpad, phonological loop
directs the flow of information, choosing which information will be operated on, when, and how
central executive
carries out subvocal rehearsal to maintain verbal material
phonological loop
used to maintain visual material through visualization
visuospatial sketch pad
responsible for LTM of episodic memory
episodic buffer
holds memory of specific events in which you yourself somehow participated
episodic memory
holds information that has entered your general knowledge
semantic memory
affects episodic memory, general knowledge remains intact
anterograde amnesia
