Chapter 7.1 How Memory Operates Flashcards
Learning
long term change, mental representations or associations, due to experience
memory
The retention of information over time
The paradox of Memory
Our memories can be surprisingly good or bad
Memory illusion
false but subjectively compelling memory, our brains will often go beyond the available information to make sense of the world
Reconstuctive Memory
when remembering, we actively reconstruct memories, not passively reproduce them. Our memories are probably shaped by not only our hunches and expectations, but also by our cultural backgrounds
Three Systems of Memory
Sensory Memory, Short term memory-working memory, Long term memory
span
How much information each system can hold
duration
how long a period of time that system can hold information
Sensory memory
brief storage of perspectual information before it is passed to short term memory, Its working with our senses.
Iconic memory
visual sensory memory
echoic memory
auditory sensory memory
decay
fading of information from memory over time
interference
loss of information from memory becasue of competition from additional incoming information
retroactive interference
interference with retention of old information due to acquisition of new information
proactive interference
interference with acquisition of new information due to previous learning information
Attention
attention is essential for most learning and memory.
Magic number
the span of short term memory, according to george miller. Seven plus or minus 2 pieces information
Chunking
Organizing information into meaningful groupings, allowing us to extend the span of short term memory
Working memory
where the action is in learning and thinking. actively. has a short duration and limited capacity
Rehearsal
repeating information to extend the duration of retention in short term memory
maintenance rehearsal
repeating stimuli in their original form to retain them in short term memory
elaborative rehearsal
linking stimuli to each other in a meaningful way to improve retention of information in short term memory
Central executive
Working memory includes central executive that focuses attention, oversees the flow of information throughout the memory system, selects and controls complex voluntary behaviors, and inhibits counter productive thoughts and actions.
Levels of processing
visual is the most shallow, phonological (sound related) is on the middle, and semantic (meaning-related) is the deepest one.
Long term memory
Relatively enduring retention of information stored regarding our facts, experiences and skills.
Permastore
type of long term memory that appears to be permanent
long vs short term memory
types of mistakes: long term memory: semantic; short term memory: acoustic
Primacy effect vs recency effect
tendency to remember stimuli presented earliest; tendency to remember stimuli presented most recently
Serial position curve
graph depicting bot primacy and recency effects on people’s ability to recall items on a list
Types of Long Term Memory
explicit memory and implicit memory
explicit memory
memories we recall intentionally and of which we have conscious awareness. Divided into two: semantic memory and episodic memory
semantic memory
our knowledge of facts about the world. Left brain controls it
episodic memory
recollection of events in our lives. Right brain controls it.
Implicit memory
is recalling information that we dont remember deliberately. Includes classical conditioning and other forms of learning
Procedural memory
refers to motor skills and habits: riding a bicycle etc.
Priming
is our ability to identify a stimulus more easily or quickly after we’ve encountered similar stimuli
