chapter 8 memory Flashcards
a description of how memories sometimes are simply unavailable because of a failure to encode them
absent mindedness
a subfield of memory research focused on investigating how the brain is designed to learn and remember given evolutionary considerations
adaptive memory
memory loss due to physical damage or problems in the brain
amnesia
the inability to encode new information into long term memory
anterograde amnesia
a description of how memories can change as a result of the influence of knowledge and beliefs
bias
a description for how, in some cases, not enough distinctive cues are able to help us recover a specific memory
blocking
how much information can be held in a memory system at any one time. Capacity is typically considered to be whatever you can rehearse in roughly 2 seconds, typically “seven plus or minus two” thing
capacity
a hypothetical portion of the working memory model that directs the activities of working memory, including the phonological loop, the visuospatial sketchpad, and the flow of information between working and long term memory
central executive
a process of arranging information into compact meaningful “chunks” so that they can be more easily rehearsed in immediate memory
chunking
remembering previously-learning information with the aid of a clue or information that helps provide context
cues recall
pieces of information that help us remember events from the past
cues
the theory that memories fade away due to the passage of time alone
decay
encoding new information through making meaningful connections to existing knowledge
deep processing
a description of a feeling that one has already experienced a sequence of events
deja vu
how long a memory system can contain information before it is forgotten. Duration is indefinite with rehearsal, but without rehearsal is only three seconds or so
duration
the process of actively manipulating information in immediate memory to meaningfully connect it to other information already stored in long term memory
elaborative rehearsal
the process of how information is initially learned
encoding
the problem the brain must solve to transform an experience into a memory
encoding problem
the idea that retrieval cues are only useful as long as they match the original context of how to be remembered information was originally learned
encoding specificity principle
memories whose contents pertain to specific events (episodes)
episodic memories
memory errors where wrong or unwanted information is brought to mind
errors of commission
memory errors where information cannot be brought to mind
errors of omission
remembering that occurs consciously and with intent
explicit memory
the way that an inability to remember something is often described. However, it doesn’t adequately describe many kinds of memory errors
failure of search
memories for the details surrounding events that are both surprising and particularly significant
flashbulb memories
remembering previously learned information without any other context to aid in remembering
free recall
an exceptionally rare medical condition that leads to near perfect autobiographical recall
hyperthymesia
a system that actively holds on to a limited amount of information so that it can be manipulated and processed
immediate memory
remembering that occurs without conscious realization or intent
implicit memory
the mental experience of seeing something using imagination. evidence for visual representation in immediate memory
inner eye
the mental experience of hearing yourself talk in your head. Evidence for verbal representation in immediate memory.
inner voice
memory systems used to store and recall information over extended periods of time
long term memory
is the term for repeated exposure to or study of to be remembered information over a very short period of time or without gaps between repetitions
massed practice
refers to both the structures and processes involved in both the storage and retrieval of information
memory
the number of items that can be kept active in immediate memory at one time
memory span
a phenomenon in which misleading information alters a subsequent memory, typically an eyewitness account
misinformation effect
techniques used to improve memory that provide a framework for encoding and recall
menmonics
a description of how memories are sometimes retrieved when they are. not wanted
persistence
a system within the working memory model that temporarily stores and manipulates auditory and verbal information
phonological loop
the inability to retrieve newer information due to the influence of older, similar information
proactive interference
memories whose contents pertain to how something is done, such as the motor skills involved in walking and riding a bicycle
procedural memories
describes how we primarily use memory to cobble together a useful response using both what we know and the situation around us
reconstruction metaphor
the process of repeating information to yourself, helping you re hear the information over again
rehearsal
the kind of information a memory system contains. Often, this is describes in terms of how the information is represented or coded
representation
the phenomenon that the repeated retrieval of information is more useful for long term memory than other tasks, such as the repeated reading of the same information
retrieval practive
the problem the brain must solve to recover information from long term memory
retrieval probelm
the inability to retrieve older information due to the influence of newer, similar information
retroactive interference
the loss of memories prior to specific traumatic event such as a blow to the head or certain other conditions
retrograde amnesia
a highly organized knowledge structure that contains many pieces of specific information
schema
a way of describing the processes involved in memory using terms and phrases that related them to looking around in physical or virtual space
search metaphor
memories whose contents related to specific facts and pieces of meaningful information not based on personal experience
semantic memories
a system that keeps information translated by the senses briefly active in a relative unaltered, unexamined form. Iconic and echoic memories are visual and auditory forms of ____________
sensory memory
encoding information based only on its surface characteristics
shallow processing
the observation that learning is most robust when repeated exposure to or study of to be remembered material occurs over a long timeframe
spacing effect
the process of maintaining information about an event over time (whether shot or long)
storage
the problem the brain must solve to maintain information in the brain over time, whether short or long
storage problem
a description for how memories can sometimes be altered by the context in which they are remembered to better fit the current context
suggestibility
A state when someone cannot remember a piece of information but have a powerful feeling that they know exactly what they are trying to remember
tip of the tongue state (TOT state)
the observation that engaging in similar processes at both encoding and retrieval tends to enhance recall on a final test
transfer appropriate processing
a description for how sometimes we are unable to retrieve information because it has been forgotten due to the interference of information we have processed in the meantime
transience
a system within the working memory model where visual and spatial information is stored and manipulated
visuospatial sketchpad
a model of immediate memory that emphasizes its role as a system for manipulating information in consciousness
working memory model
