Chapter 8: Memory

Question 1

Memory

Answer 1

active system that receives, stores, organizes, alters, and recovers (retrieves) information

Question 2

Steps of remembering

Answer 2

1. Incoming information is held for a second by
   sensory memory.
2. Information selected by attention is transferred to temporary storage in short-term memory.
3. If it is transferred to long-term memory, it
   becomes relatively permanent.

Question 3

Sensory Memory

Answer 3

Storing an exact copy of incoming information for a few seconds; the first stage of memory

Question 4

Icon

Answer 4

A fleeting mental image or visual representation

Question 5

Echo

Answer 5

After a sound is heard, a brief continuation of the sound in the auditory system

Question 6

Selective Attention

Answer 6

Focusing (voluntarily) on a selected portion of sensory input

Question 7

Short term memory

Answer 7

holds small amounts of information briefly

– Very sensitive to interruption or interference

Question 8

Phonetically

Answer 8

Storing information by sound;

how most things are stored in STM by sound

Question 9

Digit span

Answer 9

Test of attention and short-term memory; string of numbers is recalled forward or backward
– Typically part of intelligence tests

Question 10

Magic Number 7 (Plus or Minus 2)

Answer 10

STM is limited to holding seven (plus or minus two) information bits at once

Question 11

Encoding

Answer 11

the processing of information into the memory system

Question 12

Chunking

Answer 12

organizing items into a familiar, manageable unit (acronyms)

Question 13

Maintenance Rehearsal

Answer 13

Repeating information silently to prolong its presence in STM

Question 14

Elaborative Rehearsal

Answer 14

Links new information with existing memories and knowledge in LTM
– Good way to transfer STM information into LTM

Question 15

Long-term memory

Answer 15

Storing information relatively permanently
– The more you know, the easier it becomes to
add new information to memory.

Question 16

Typically, information is stored on basis of

Answer 16

meaning and importance

– If you make an error in LTM, it will probably be related to meaning

Question 17

If you can link information in STM to knowledge you have already store in LTM,

Answer 17

it gains meaning and makes it easier to remember.

Question 18

encoding failure

Answer 18

when a memory was never formed in the first place

Question 19

retrieval cues

Answer 19

Any stimulus associated with a memory; usually
enhances retrieval of a memory
• Memories are held in storage by a web of
associations.
• These associations are like anchors that help retrieve
memory.

Question 20

State-Dependent Learning

Answer 20

When memory retrieval is influenced by body state; if your body state is the same at the time of learning AND the time of retrieval, retrievals will be improved

Question 21

Context effects

Answer 21

Putting yourself back in the context where you experienced something can prime your memory retrieval.

Question 22

misinformation effect

Answer 22

incorporating misleading information into one’s memory of an event
Eyewitnesses reconstruct their memories when questioned about the event.

Question 23

Constructive Processing

Answer 23

Re-organizing or updating long-term memories on basis of logic, reasoning, or adding new information

Question 24

Flashbulb Memories

Answer 24

Memories created during times of personal tragedy, accident, or other emotionally significant events that are especially vivid
• Most often formed when an event is surprising, important, or emotional.
• Includes both positive and negative events
• Great confidence is placed in them even though they may be inaccurate

Question 25

Procedural

Answer 25

Long-term memories of conditioned responses and learned skills

Question 26

Declarative

Answer 26

LTM section that contains factual information

Question 27

Semantic Memory

Answer 27

Impersonal facts and

everyday knowledge

Question 28

Episodic Memory

Answer 28

Personal experiences linked with specific times and places

Question 29

Ebbinghaus (1885)

Answer 29

tested his own memory at various times after learning.

Question 30

Nonsense Syllables

Answer 30

Meaningless three-letter words (fej, quf) that test learning and forgetting

Question 31

Curve of Forgetting

Answer 31

Graph that shows the amount of memorized information remembered after varying lengths of time

Question 32

Repression

Answer 32

Unconsciously pushing painful, embarrassing or threatening memories out of awareness/consciousness

Question 33

Suppression

Answer 33

Consciously putting something painful or threatening out of mind or trying to keep it from entering awareness

Question 34

Interference

Answer 34

Tendency for new memories to impair retrieval of older memories, and vice versa

Question 35

Retroactive Interference

Answer 35

Tendency for new memories to interfere with retrieval of old memories

Question 36

Proactive Interference

Answer 36

Prior learning inhibits (interferes) with recall of later learning