Chapter 8 Module (Memory) Flashcards
Memory
The persistence of learning over time through the encoding, storage, and retrieval of information.
At the heart of humanity.
Recall
A measure of memory in which the person must retrieve information learned earlier.
Ex. Fill in tests
Recognition
Identifying items previously learned.
Ex. MC tests
Relearning
Learning something more quickly when you learn it a second or later time.
Ex. Reviewing for studying
Measurements of Memory Retention
Recall
Recognition
Relearning
Ebbinghaus’ Retention Curve
As rehearsal increases, relearning time dereases.
He memorized lists of consonances.
Information-Processing Model
Likens human memory to computer operations.
Encode, store, retreive.
Limited by simplicity and hardiness.
Encode
Get information into our brain
Store
Retain that information
Retrieve
Later get the information back out.
Connectionism
Model for memory that accounts for parrallel processing.
Memories are interconnected neural networks. Learning something new changes neural connections (neuroplasticity).
Three-Stage Information-Processing Model
- Record to-be information as sensory memory
- Process information into working/short-term memory
- Finally, information moves into long-term memory for later retrieval.
Sensory Memory
The immediate, very brief recording of sensory information in the memory system.
Short-Term Memory
Briefly activated memory of a few items that is later stored or forgotten.
Long-Term Memory
The relatively permanent and limitless archive of the memory system.
Includes knowledge, skills, and experiences.
Working Memory
A newer understanding of short-term memory that adds conscious, active processing of both incoming sensory information and of information retrieved from long-term memory.
Explicit Memories
Declarative
Retention of facts and experiences that we can consciously know and declare.
Effortful Processing
Encoding that requires attention and conscious effort.
Automatic Processing
Unconscious encoding of incidental information such as space, time, and frequency.
Familiar or well-learned information, such as sounds, smells, and word meanings.
Implicit Memories
Nondeclarative
Retention of learned skills or classically conditioned associations independent of conscious recollection.
Iconic Memory
A momentary sensory memory of visual stimuli; a photographic or picture-image memory lasting no more than a few tenths of a second.
Echoic Memory
A momentary sensory memor of auditory stimuli; if attention is elsewhere, sounds and words can still be recalled within 3/4 seconds.
Effortful Processing Techniques
Chunking
Hierarchies
Mneumonics
Distributed Practice
We retain information better when our encoding is distributed over time.
Spacing effect, Testing effect
Shallow Processing
Encodes at an elementary level - words letter/sounds.
Deep Processing
Encodes semantically.
Based on the meaning of words. Better for retention.
Semantic
One of two explicit, conscious memory tracks that deals with facts and general knowledge.
Episodic
One of two explicit, conscious memory tracks that deals with experienced events.
Prefrontal Cortex
Front of the frontal lobes.
Left: Semantic memories
Right: Episodic memories
Hippocampus
Processes explicit memories (both semantic and episodic).
Left: Verbal information
Right: Visual designs and locations
Memory Consolidation
The neural storage of longterm memories.
Supported by hippocampus activity during sleep.
Cerebellum
Responsible for implicit memory formation.
Key in classical conditioning.
Basal Ganglia
Responsible for implicit memory formation surrounding motor movement and procedural skills.
Ex. Bike riding
Amygdala
Responsible for evoking memory tracking.
Heightens the rememberance of emotional memories, but preventing the storage of unimportant memories through the use of stress hormones and sugar production.
Flashbulb Memories
A clear memory of an emotionally significant moment or event.
Long-Term Potentiation (LTP)
Increased efficiency of firing neurons after brief, rapid stimulation.
Foundation of learning and memory.
Prospective Memories
Intended future actions.
Retrospective Memories
Memories from the past.
Priming
The activation, often unconsciously, of certain associations, thus predisposing one’s perception, memory or response.
Encoding Specificity Principle
The idea that cues and contexts specific to a particular memory will be most effective in helping us recall it.
Mood Congruent
The tendency to retrieve memories that are associated with one’s good or bad mood.
Serial Position Effect
Our tendency to best recall the last (recency effect) and first (primacy effect) items in a list.
Anterograde Amnesia
The inability to form new memories.
Retrograde Amnesia
The inability to remember things from one’s past.
Proactive Interference
The forward-acting disruptive effect of older learning on the recall of new information.
Retroactive Interference
The backward-acting disruptive effect of newer learning on the recall of older information.
Repress
In psychoanalytical theory, the basic defense mechanism that banishes from consciousness anxiety arousing thoughts, feelings, and memories.
Reconsolidation
The process by which memories are retrieved and potentially altered before being stored again.
Misinformation Effect
When a memory has been corrupted by misleading information.
Source Amnesia
Forgetting how, when, or where information was learned.
Source of deja vu.
Improving Memory: Rehearse Repeatedly
Employs spacing effect, distributed practice, testing effect, and production effect.
Improving Memory: Making the Material Meaningful
Employs retrieval cues > maps and heirarchies.
Improving Memory: Activate Retrieval Cues
Employ context-dependent and state-dependent memory.
Improving Memory: Mnemonic Devices
Includes chunking, vivid imagery, mnemonic devices.
Improving Memory: Minimize proactive and retroactive interference.
Includes studying before bed, and avoiding studying two similar things one after the other.
Improving Memory: Sleep More
Employs consolidation.
Improving Memory: Testing your own knowledge
Be able to recognize and recall.
