Chapter 7A Vocab

Question 1

memory

Answer 1

the persistence of learning over time through the storage and retrieval of information. (p. 255)

Question 2

encoding

Answer 2

the processing of information into the memory system—for example, by extracting meaning. (p. 257)

Question 3

storage

Answer 3

the retention of encoded information over time. (p. 257)

Question 4

retrieval

Answer 4

the process of getting information out of memory storage. (p. 257)

Question 5

sensory memory

Answer 5

the immediate, very brief recording of sensory information in the memory system. (p. 257)

Question 6

short-term memory

Answer 6

activated memory that holds a few items briefly, such as the seven digits of a phone number while dialing, before the information is stored or forgotten.

Question 7

long-term memory

Answer 7

the relatively permanent and limitless storehouse of the memory system. Includes knowledge, skills, and experiences.

Question 8

working memory

Answer 8

a newer understanding of short-term memory that focuses on conscious, active processing of incoming auditory and visual-spatial information, and of information retrieved from long-term memory.

Question 9

parallel processing

Answer 9

the processing of many aspects of a problem simultaneously; the brain’s natural mode of information processing for many functions, including vision. Contrasts with the step-by-step (serial) processing of most computers and of conscious problem solving.

Question 10

automatic processing

Answer 10

unconscious encoding of incidental information, such as space, time, and frequency, and of well-learned information, such as word meanings.

Question 11

effortful processing

Answer 11

encoding that requires attention and conscious effort.

Question 12

rehearsal

Answer 12

the conscious repetition of information, either to maintain it in consciousness or to encode it for storage.

Question 13

spacing effect

Answer 13

the tendency for distributed study or practice to yield better long-term retention than is achieved through massed study or practice.

Question 14

serial position effect

Answer 14

our tendency to recall best the last and first items in a list.

Question 15

visual encoding

Answer 15

the encoding of picture images.

Question 16

acoustic encoding

Answer 16

the encoding of sound, especially the sound of words.

Question 17

semantic encoding

Answer 17

the encoding of meaning, including the meaning of words.

Question 18

imagery

Answer 18

mental pictures; a powerful aid to effortful processing, especially when combined with semantic encoding.

Question 19

mnemonics

Answer 19

memory aids, especially those techniques that use vivid imagery and organizational devices.

Question 20

chunking

Answer 20

organizing items into familiar, manageable units; often occurs automatically.

Question 21

iconic memory

Answer 21

a momentary sensory memory of visual stimuli; a photographic or picture-image memory lasting no more than a few tenths of a second.

Question 22

ethoic memory

Answer 22

a momentary sensory memory of auditory stimuli; if attention is elsewhere, sounds and words can still be recalled within 3 or 4 seconds.

Question 23

long term potentiation (LTP)

Answer 23

an increase in a synapse’s firing potential after brief, rapid stimulation. Believed to be a neural basis for learning and memory

Question 24

flashbulb memory

Answer 24

a clear memory of an emotionally significant moment or event.

Question 25

amnesia

Answer 25

loss of memory

Question 26

implicit memory

Answer 26

retention independent of conscious recollection. (Also called nondeclarativeor procedural memory.)

Question 27

explicit memory

Answer 27

memory of facts and experiences that one can consciously know and “declare.” (Also called declarative memory.)

Question 28

hippocampus

Answer 28

a neural center that is located in the limbic system; helps process explicit memories for storage. (p. 272)

Question 29

recall

Answer 29

a measure of memory in which the person must retrieve information learned earlier, as on a fill-in-the-blank test. (p. 274)

Question 30

recognition

Answer 30

a measure of memory in which the person need only identify items previously learned, as on a multiple-choice test. (p. 274)

Question 31

relearning

Answer 31

a measure of memory that assesses the amount of time saved when learning material for a second time. (p. 274)

Question 32

priming

Answer 32

the activation, often unconsciously, of certain associations, thus predisposing one’s perception, memory, or response. (pp. 121, 275)

Question 33

deja vu

Answer 33

that eerie sense that “I’ve experienced this before.” Cues from the current situation may subconsciously trigger retrieval of an earlier experience. (p. 276)

Question 34

mood-congruent memory

Answer 34

the tendency to recall experiences that are consistent with one’s current good or bad mood. (p. 278)

Question 35

proactive interference

Answer 35

the disruptive effect of prior learning on the recall of new information. (p. 282)

Question 36

retroactive interference

Answer 36

the disruptive effect of new learning on the recall of old information. (p. 282)

Question 37

repression

Answer 37

in psychoanalytic theory, the basic defense mechanism that banishes anxiety-arousing thoughts, feelings, and memories from consciousness. (pp. 284, 483)

Question 38

misinformation effect

Answer 38

incorporating misleading information into one’s memory of an event. (p. 286)

Question 39

source amnesia

Answer 39

attributing to the wrong source an event we have experienced, heard about, read about, or imagined. (Also called source misattribution.) Source amnesia, along with the misinformation effect, is at the heart of many false memories. (p. 287)

Question 40

# reversed the persistence of learning over time through the storage and retrieval of information. (p. 255)

Answer 40

memory

Question 41

# reversed the processing of information into the memory system—for example, by extracting meaning. (p. 257)

Answer 41

encoding

Question 42

# reversed the retention of encoded information over time. (p. 257)

Answer 42

storage

Question 43

# reversed the process of getting information out of memory storage. (p. 257)

Answer 43

retrieval

Question 44

# reversed the immediate, very brief recording of sensory information in the memory system. (p. 257)

Answer 44

sensory memory

Question 45

# reversed activated memory that holds a few items briefly, such as the seven digits of a phone number while dialing, before the information is stored or forgotten.

Answer 45

short-term memory

Question 46

# reversed the relatively permanent and limitless storehouse of the memory system. Includes knowledge, skills, and experiences.

Answer 46

long-term memory

Question 47

# reversed a newer understanding of short-term memory that focuses on conscious, active processing of incoming auditory and visual-spatial information, and of information retrieved from long-term memory.

Answer 47

working memory

Question 48

# reversed the processing of many aspects of a problem simultaneously; the brain’s natural mode of information processing for many functions, including vision. Contrasts with the step-by-step (serial) processing of most computers and of conscious problem solving.

Answer 48

parallel processing

Question 49

# reversed unconscious encoding of incidental information, such as space, time, and frequency, and of well-learned information, such as word meanings.

Answer 49

automatic processing

Question 50

# reversed encoding that requires attention and conscious effort.

Answer 50

effortful processing

Question 51

# reversed the conscious repetition of information, either to maintain it in consciousness or to encode it for storage.

Answer 51

rehearsal

Question 52

# reversed the tendency for distributed study or practice to yield better long-term retention than is achieved through massed study or practice.

Answer 52

spacing effect

Question 53

# reversed our tendency to recall best the last and first items in a list.

Answer 53

serial position effect

Question 54

# reversed the encoding of picture images.

Answer 54

visual encoding

Question 55

# reversed the encoding of sound, especially the sound of words.

Answer 55

acoustic encoding

Question 56

# reversed the encoding of meaning, including the meaning of words.

Answer 56

semantic encoding

Question 57

# reversed mental pictures; a powerful aid to effortful processing, especially when combined with semantic encoding.

Answer 57

imagery

Question 58

# reversed memory aids, especially those techniques that use vivid imagery and organizational devices.

Answer 58

mnemonics

Question 59

# reversed organizing items into familiar, manageable units; often occurs automatically.

Answer 59

chunking

Question 60

# reversed a momentary sensory memory of visual stimuli; a photographic or picture-image memory lasting no more than a few tenths of a second.

Answer 60

iconic memory

Question 61

# reversed a momentary sensory memory of auditory stimuli; if attention is elsewhere, sounds and words can still be recalled within 3 or 4 seconds.

Answer 61

ethoic memory

Question 62

# reversed an increase in a synapse’s firing potential after brief, rapid stimulation. Believed to be a neural basis for learning and memory

Answer 62

long term potentiation (LTP)

Question 63

# reversed a clear memory of an emotionally significant moment or event.

Answer 63

flashbulb memory

Question 64

# reversed loss of memory

Answer 64

amnesia

Question 65

# reversed retention independent of conscious recollection. (Also called nondeclarativeor procedural memory.)

Answer 65

implicit memory

Question 66

# reversed memory of facts and experiences that one can consciously know and “declare.” (Also called declarative memory.)

Answer 66

explicit memory

Question 67

# reversed a neural center that is located in the limbic system; helps process explicit memories for storage. (p. 272)

Answer 67

hippocampus

Question 68

# reversed a measure of memory in which the person must retrieve information learned earlier, as on a fill-in-the-blank test. (p. 274)

Answer 68

recall

Question 69

# reversed a measure of memory in which the person need only identify items previously learned, as on a multiple-choice test. (p. 274)

Answer 69

recognition

Question 70

# reversed a measure of memory that assesses the amount of time saved when learning material for a second time. (p. 274)

Answer 70

relearning

Question 71

# reversed the activation, often unconsciously, of certain associations, thus predisposing one’s perception, memory, or response. (pp. 121, 275)

Answer 71

priming

Question 72

# reversed that eerie sense that “I’ve experienced this before.” Cues from the current situation may subconsciously trigger retrieval of an earlier experience. (p. 276)

Answer 72

deja vu

Question 73

# reversed the tendency to recall experiences that are consistent with one’s current good or bad mood. (p. 278)

Answer 73

mood-congruent memory

Question 74

# reversed the disruptive effect of prior learning on the recall of new information. (p. 282)

Answer 74

proactive interference

Question 75

# reversed the disruptive effect of new learning on the recall of old information. (p. 282)

Answer 75

retroactive interference

Question 76

# reversed in psychoanalytic theory, the basic defense mechanism that banishes anxiety-arousing thoughts, feelings, and memories from consciousness. (pp. 284, 483)

Answer 76

repression

Question 77

# reversed incorporating misleading information into one’s memory of an event. (p. 286)

Answer 77

misinformation effect

Question 78

# reversed attributing to the wrong source an event we have experienced, heard about, read about, or imagined. (Also called source misattribution.) Source amnesia, along with the misinformation effect, is at the heart of many false memories. (p. 287)

Answer 78

source amnesia