Cognition Flashcards
Retrieval
the process in which information in your memory can be recalled
Encoding
The process of breaking information down into a form we understand
Parallel Processing
is the ability of the brain to do many things (aka, processes) at once
Sensory Memory
part of the memory system which is the initial contact for stimuli. Sensory memory is only capable of retaining information for a very short period of time
Iconic Memory
Memory for visual stimuli is referred to as iconic memory, which can be defined as very brief sensory memory of some visual stimuli, that occur in the form of mental pictures
Spacing Effect
states that we learn material more effectively and easily when we study it several times spaced out over a longer time span, rather than trying to learn it in a short period of time
Testing Effect
the finding that long-term memory is increased when some of the learning period is devoted to retrieving the to-be-remembered information
Shallow Processing
a way individuals process information according to the levels of processing theory developed by Craik and Lockhart; theorized that memory recall was based on the depth of processing and that deeper and more meaningful processing made recall easier
Deep Processing
involves elaboration rehearsal which involves a more meaningful analysis (e.g. images, thinking, associations etc.) of information and leads to better recall
Flashbulb Memory
When you are trying to remember something and then it “all of a sudden comes to you”
Priming
acuteness to stimuli because of exposure to a certain event or experience
Mood-Congruent Memory
indicates that, when humans store memories, they not only store the event, but they also store a memory of the mood they were in at the time
Serial Position Effect
a memory-related term and refers to the tendency to recall information that is presented first and last (like in a list) better than information presented in the middle
Proactive Interference
the difficulty in learning new information because of already existing information
Retroactive Interference
when a person has difficulty recalling old information because of newly learned information
Misinformation Effect
“false memory”; when we witness an event and then get some incorrect information about that event, we incorporate that incorrect information (misinformation) into our memory of the event. The result in an altered memory of the event
Convergent Thinking
A cognitive process (a mode of critical thinking) in which a person attempts to find a single, correct answer to a problem
Divergent Thinking
a thought process or method used to generate creative ideas by exploring many possible solutions
Heuristic
a rule-of-thumb strategy for making more efficient decisions
Mental Set
a tendency to approach situations the same way because that way worked in the past
Telegraphic Speech
speech that sounds very much like a telegram, has words arranged in an order that makes sense, and contains almost all nouns and verbs
Linguistic Determinism
concept that states that human language limits and determines human thought patterns and knowledge. This concept makes an assumption that language both reflects and limits human mentality and its ability to make cross-cultural connections
Noam Chomsky
has had a large impact on psychology, linguistics, and other fields. Chomsky is credited with the creation of the theory of generative grammar, considered to be one of the most significant contributions to the field of theoretical linguistics made in the 20th century.
Hermann Ebbinghaus
a German psychologist who pioneered the experimental study of memory, and is known for his discovery of the forgetting curve and the spacing effect. He was also the first person to describe the learning curve
