Class 5 - Memory, Cognition Flashcards
Memory
the persistence of learning over time through encoding, storage, and retrieval of info
Recal
retrieve info learned earlier; fill-in-the blank test
Recognition
identify items previously learned; multiple choice test
Relearning
assess amount of time saved when learning materials again
Encoding
the process of getting information into the memory system
Storage
the process of retaining encoded information over time
Retrieval
the process of getting information out of memory storage
Parallel processing
processing many aspects simultaneously
Sensory memory
the immediate, very brief recording of sensory information in the memory system
STM (short term memory)
activated memory that holds a few items briefly before information is stored/forgotten
LTM (long term memory)
relatively permanent and limitless memory storehouse
Working memory
a newer understanding of STM that adds conscious, active processing of incoming auditory and visual information, and of information retrieved from LTM
Explicit memory
retention of facts and experiences that one can consciously know
Implicit memory
retention of learned skills/associations independent of conscious recollection
Effortful processing
encoding that requires attention and conscious effort
Automatic processing
unconscious encoding of incidental and well learned info
Procedural memory
a type of implicit memory; knowing how to do things
Iconic memory
momentary sensory memory of visual stimuli
Echoic memory
momentary sensory of auditory stimuli
Chunking
organizing items into familiar, manageable units; often occurs automatically
Mnemonics
memory aids, especially techniques that use vivid imagery and organizational device
Spacing effect
tendency for distributed study/practice to yield better long-term retention
Testing effect
enhance memory after retieving
Shallow processing
encoding on a basic level, based on the structure or appearance of words
Deep processing
encoding semantically, based on meanings; tends to yield the best retention
Semantic memory
explicit memory of facts and general knowledge
Episodic memory
explicit memory of personally experienced events
Hippocampus
helps process explicit memories for storage
Memory condolidation
the neural storage of a long term memory
Flashbulb memory
a clear, sustained memory of an emotionally significant moment or event
Long-term potentiation (LTP)
an increase in a cell’s firing potential after brief, rapid stimulation; a neural basis for learning and memory
Priming
the activation, often unconsciously, of particular associations in memory
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 memory
tendency to recall experiences consistent with one’s current mood
Serial position effect
the tendency to recall the last and first items in a list
Anterograde amnesia
inability to form new memories
Retrograde amnesia
inability to retrieve information from one’s past
Proactive interference
the older learned information is interfering in learning of new information
Retroactive interference
the new information is learned and old information is forgotten
Repression
basic defense mechanism that banishes from consciousness anxiety-arousing thoughts, feelings, and memories
Reconsolidation
process in which previously stored memories, when retrieved, are potentially altered before being stored again
Misinformation effect
occurs when misleading info has distorted one’s memory of an event
Source amnesia
faulty memory of how, when, or where info was learned or imagined
Cognition
mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating
Concept
a mental grouping of similar objects, events, ideas, or people
Prototype
a mental image or best example of a category
Creativity
the ability to produce new and valuable ideas
Convergent thinking
narrowing the available problem solutions to determine the single bast solution
Divergent thinking
expanding the number of possible solutions; creative thinking that diverges in different directions
Algorithm
a methodical, logical rule or procedure that guarantees solving a particular problem
Heuristic
a simple thinking strategy that often allows us to make judgments and solve problems efficiently
Insight
a sudden realization of a problem’s solution; constrats with strategy-based solutions
Confirmation bias
a tendency to search for information that supports our preconceptions and to ignore or distort contradictory evidence
Functional fixedness
a cognitive bias that limits a person to use an object traditionally used
Fixation
inability to see problem form new perspective
Mental set
tendency to approach a problem in one particular way, often a way that has been successful in the past
Intuition
effortless, automatic feeling/thought
Representativeness heuristic
estimating the likelihood of events in terms of how well they seem to represent, or match, particular prototypes
Availability heuristic
estimating the likelihood of events based on their availability in memory
Overconfidence
the tendency to be more confident than correct
Belief perseverance
clinging to one’s initial conceptions after the basis on which they were formed has been discredited
Framing
the way an issue is posed; how an issue is worded can affect decisions and judgements
Language
our spoken, written, or signed words the way we combine them to communicate meaning
Phoneme
the smallest distinctive sound unit; usually have no meaning
Morpheme
the smallest distinctive sound unit that carries meaning
Grammar
a system of rules that enables us to communicate with and understand others
Semantics
language’s set of rules for deriving meaning from sounds
Syntax
set of rules for combining words into grammatically sensible sentences
Babbling stage
spontaneously utters various sounds at first unrelated to the household language
One-word stage
the stage in speech development when a child speaks mostly in single words
Two-word stage
when a child speaks mostly in two word statements
Telegraphic speech
child speaks like a telegraph (“go car”) using mostly nouns and verbs
Aphasia
impairment of language
Broca’s area
control language expression by directing muscle movements involved in speech; in left frontal lobe
Wernicke’s area
a brain are involved in language comprehension and expression; in left temporal lobe
Linguistic determinism
the strong idea that language controls the way we think and interpret the world around us
Linguistic influence
weaker form of the idea that language affects thought
