Chapter 6 Study Guide Flashcards
What is memory
The ability to retain information over time through the process of encoding, storing, and retrieving
What are the 3 memory processes
Encoding
Storing
Retrieval
What are some elements of encoding
Attention
Repetition
Make material personally meaningful
What is elaborative encoding
Linking new information with other information
What is imagery encoding
Imagery and mental pictures
What is organizational encoding
Categorizing information
What are the 3 stages of memory
Sensory
Working/Short Term
Long Term
What is sensory memory
The brain filters out information as it comes in
Holding information for a few seconds is what kind of memory
Sensory
What is iconic memory
Fast-decaying store of visual information
What is echoic memory
Fast decaying store of auditory information
What happens when we continue to pay attention to information
It will go to working or short-term memory
What are 2 traits of working or short-term memory
Limited capacity and short duration
Conscious processing of information
What are 2 ways we can increase the capacity of our memory
Chunking
Maintenance Rehearsal
What is chunking
Grouping separate items of information into larger units or chunks so we can increase capacity
What is maintenance rehearsal
Intentional repeating of information so it remains longer in the short term memory
What is the function of long term memory
To organize and store information
What are two traits of long term memory
Unlimited Capacity
Unlimited Duration
What are 3 ways to transfer information to long term memory
Serial Position Effect
Primacy Effect
Recency Effect
What is the serial position effect
More likely to remember the beginning and end of a sequence
What is the primacy effect
More memory or recall for letters or words at the beginning of a list
What is the recency effect
The tendency to recall the last few items in a list bc they are in our short term memory
What is schema
A pre-existing mental concept that helps us organize and interpret information (fills in the blanks)
Do schema’s sometimes contain false information
Yes
What are 2 reasons we forget
The information was never encoded into long term memory
Undesired memories are held back from awareness
What is suppression
Choosing not to think about something (i.e. past relationships
What is repression
Unconscious forgetting of a memory (typically associated with PTSD
What three reasons explain why memories are held back from awareness
Suppression
Repression
Interference
What are the 2 types of interference
Retroactive
Proactive
What is retroactive interference
When a NEW memory interferes with OLD information (i.e. new password made and you don’t remember the old one)
What is proactive interference
When an OLD memory interferes with NEW information (i.e. memories of where you parked your car on campus the past week interferes with your ability to find your car today)
What are the 2 inadequate retrieval cues
Context-Dependent
State-Dependent
What is context-dependent retrieval cues
Memories are either helped or hindered by similarities or differences between the context by which they are learned (i.e. if you study for a test in the same environment it will help with memory recall)
What is state-dependent retrieval cues
Memory is helped or hindered by similarities or differences in a personal internal state during learning (i.e. learn something new while drinking, you will likely forget)
What is the decay theory
Memories fade away or decay gradually if unused
What are two explanation for the decay theory
Memories not Encoded
Memories not meaningful
What is amnesia
Severe loss of memory
What is retrograde amnesia
Loss of memory prior to brain damage (i.e. auto accident)
What is anterograde amnesia
Inability to form new memories (i.e. past may be intact but new memories are lost; for example 50 first dates)
What are 2 forms of amnesia
Retrograde
Anterograde
What are some ways to improve your memory
Mnemonic devices Narratives Distributed Practice Studying in Depth visual Imagery Keywords
