Chapter 6 - Memory Flashcards
Memory
Brain processes involved in the encoding, storage, and retrieval of information
Encoding
the process of information entering the memory system
Storage
follows encoding and is used for preserving information for possible recollection in the future
Retrieval
follows storage and is used to recall or reproduce the stored information once encoded and stored
Levels of Processing
shallow- some physical features
intermediate- notice patterns and more detail
deep- thinking about meeting and how to relate it to past experiences
Stages of memory
- Sensory memory
- Short term memory
- Long term memory
sensory memory
holds sensory stimuli for a short amount of time
short term memory
can temporarily maintain and process limited information for slightly longer periods (approx 30 seconds)
long term memory
unlimited capacity
can hold information indefinitely
iconic memory
type of sensory memory that deals with visual impressions. they are photo-like in accuracy but dissolve in less than a second.
eidetic memory
like photographic memory where people can recall situations with such detail after long periods of time as if they had a picture stored within their mind
echoic memory
lasts for about one to ten seconds and are exact copies of the sounds we hear. A form of sensory memory.
Maintenance rehearsal
saying something repeatedly in order to prolong the amount of time the item stays in your STM.
how many items can we realistically hold in our STM at a time?
magical number seven plus or minus two
chunking
grouping information into meaningful subsets to increase amount of information stored in the STM at one time
working memory
active processing information in STM and the maintenance and manipulation of information in STM
phonological loop
working with verbal information briefly when exposed with verbal stimuli
a part of the working memory
ex: when reading, or solving problems
visuospatial sketchpad
visual and spatial data briefly stored and manipulated
a part of the working memory
central executive
determines which information is important, and to help organize and manipulate consciousness. Can only do one job at once so you cannot multitask simply switch tasks rapidly
part of the working memory
episodic buffer
information from the phonological loop, visuospatial sketchpad, and LTM are brought together temporarily under the detection of the central executive
part of the working memory
Explicit memory
memory that you are aware of and can consciously express with words
implicit memory
memory outside of awareness (automatic, unconscious, and difficult to bring to awareness and express)
semantic memory
pertains to general facts about the world
a part of the explicit memory
episodic memory
personal experiences
part of the explicit memory
flashbulb memories
detailed account of circumstances surrounding an emotionally significant or shocking, sometimes historic, event.
part of the episodic memory
procedural memory
the memory of how to carry out an activity without conscious control or attention
part of the implicit memory
what are the techniques to improve memory
mnemonic method of loci hierarchical structures automatic and effortful processing elaborative rehearsal and visualization distributed practice sleep and memory
mnemonic
a technique to improve memory
examples:
acronyms or the first letter technique
method of loci
a technique to improve memory
taking a tour of a place you know well and leaving parts of the information in different places along the way
hierarchical structures
a technique to improve memory
you arrange the material into a system of meaningful categories and subcategories
automatic processing
a technique used to improve memory
data that your memory absorbs automatically
effortful processing
a technique used to improve memory
buckling down and working hard to commit things to memory
encoding and storage of information with conscious effort or awareness
elaborative rehearsal
a technique used to improve memory
the method of connecting incoming information to knowledge in LTM and deep level of encoding
visualization
a technique used to improve memory
people remember verbal information better if it is paired with some type of vivd imagery
Distributed practice
spreading study sessions over a period of time
massed practice
cramming to learn all of the information in one secession
Retrieval cues
stimuli that help you retrieve stored information that is difficult to access
priming
a type of implicit memory, awakens memories with the help of retrieval cues
recall
the process of retrieving information held in LTM without the help of explicit retrieval cues
recognition
matching incoming data to information stored in LTM
serial position effect
the ability to recall items in a list depends on where the item falls in the series
primacy effect
tendency to remember items at the beginning of the list
recency effect
tendency to remember items at the end of a list
encoding specificity principle
memories are more easily recalled when the context and cues at the time of encoding are similar to those at the time of retrieval
encoding failure
when information is never encoded in the first place so it is impossible to retrieve that information
ex when you lose something because you dont remember where you put it down
memory decay
information leaves your mind as you use it less and less
tip of the tongue phenomenon
retrieval failure that becomes more common with age
proactive interference
old information interferes with new information
retroactive interference
new information interferes with information learned in the past
misinformation effect
the tendency for new and misleading information obtained after an incident to distort ones memory of it
rich false memories
recollections of an event that never occurred which are expressed with emotions and confidence and include details
anterograde amnesia
a type of memory loss an inability to create new memories following damage or injury to the brain
retrograde amnesia
type of memory loss an inability to access memories formed prior to damage or injury to the brain or difficulty retrieving them
memory trace
the location where memories are etched in the brain via physiological changes
long term potentiation
the increased efficiency of neural communication over time, resulting in learning and the formation of memories
