Final Pt 2(section 8) Flashcards
Cognitive biases
Errors in memory or judgement that are caused by the inappropriate use of cognitive processes
Cognitive inaccuracies - source monitoring
Don’t know where we heard stuff from
Schematic processing- distortions based on expectations
Schemas improve memory but lead to biases
Lead to confirmation bias- tendency to verify and confirm existing memories rather than to challenge and discomfort them.
Functional fixedness
Ppls schemas prevent them from using objects in new and non traditional ways
Misinformation effects
How info that comes later can distort memories
Can lead to false memories
False memories can lead to
Incorrect allegations of abuse
Flashbulb memories
Vivid emotional memory of an unusual event that ppl believe they remember very well
Counter factual thinking
If only thoughts
Memory def
Ability to store and retrieve information over time
Memory errors come from
Memories aren’t recorded exactly. they are processed and interpreted leading to errors
Memories are constructed not recorded
Memory concepts
Types/stages/ processes
Memory types
Explicit and implicit memory
Memory as stages
Sensory memory
Short term memory
Long term memory
Memory as processes
Encoding
Storage
Retrieval
explicit memory and 2 parts
A person consciously remembers that things
Semantic memory (object knowledge learned over many interactions) and episodic memory (memory for specific events we experienced)
Semantic memory
Refers to our knowledge of facts and concepts
Like what we study
Episodic memory
Remember episodes in ur life (I remember breaking into a cold sweat when I saw my midterm questions)
Recall memory test
Measure of Explicit memory where we have to bring recall info previously remembered (short answer section of test)
Recognition memory test
Involves determining if we’ve seen it somewhere before (multiple choice question)
Relearning measure of explicit memory
Assess how much more quickly info is processed or learned when it is studied again after it has already been learned then forgotten
More sensitive bc it measures how fast not correct
Implicit memory
Refers to information remembered unconsciously and without effort. Even tho it’s retrieved without intention, it can still affect behaviour
Types of implicit memory
Procedural memory
Classical conditioning effects
Priming
Procedural memory
Unexplainable knowledge of how to do things
U can’t explain how u ride a bike u just do it
Classical conditioning
Associate neutral stimulus with another stimulus create a naturally occurring response
Priming
Changes in behaviour based on things that happened frequently or recently
Activation knowledge (prime kindness presenting ppl with words related to kindness)
People primed with that concept may act more kindly
Stages of memory
Sensory input -> sensory memory -> attention -> short term memory -> encoding -> long term memory
Sensory memory
Brief storage of sensory information (memory buffer)
Échoic- hearing
Iconic- sight
Eidetic memory
In some ppl iconic last longer (it’s aka photographic memory)
Can be for all senses
Short term memory
Temporarily holds and processes information 15-30 seconds
7+/- 2 items
Most is forgotten if u don’t rehearse it
Working memory
Processing info in short term memory
Not a store of memory. It’s a set of memory procedures
Central executive
Part of working memory
Directs attention and processing
Maintenance rehearsal
Repeating information mentallyto ourselves with the goal of keeping it in memory
Long term memory
Type of memory storage that allows for retention of information over extended periods of time
Encoding -> storage -> retrieval
Encoding
Placing thing into memory
Herman Ebbinghaus
Forgetting curve and spacing effects
Memory decay
Hartmann Ebbinghaus
Memory decays rapidly at first then the amount of decay levels off
Negative exponential function
Spacing effects
Herman Ebbinghaus
Refers to the fact that learning is better to be spread out over periods of time
Better to do a bit at a time. Not cram
Best way to study according to Ebbinghaus
Learn it wait till u forget it
then study again. Wait till u forget it
Study’s again repeat
Over learning
If u think you’ve mastered something then u probably haven’t. And it can help to review it
Retrieval
Reactivating info stored in memory
Proactive interference
Forgetting new stuff
Earlier learning impairs our ability to encode info we wanna learn later
Retroactive learning
Learning something new impairs our ability to retrieve info learned earlier
Forgetting old stuff
How to reduce proactive interference effects
Add novelty by adding a mnemonic and emphasizing how things differ
And
Regearsal
Biology of memory
Interaction of the old brain (salience) and new brain (where to store)
3 old brain structures to remember
Hippocampus- librarian organizes explicit memories and sends to cortex
Cerebellum- implicit memories
Amygdala- emotions/ what’s most important to remember
Hippocampus
Librarian (organizes explicit memories)
Responsible for imagination, spatial awareness, memories
Cerebellum
Involved in implicit memories
Ppl with damage struggle with conditioning and priming tasks
Amygdala
Involved in emotions with strong emotions, especially fear
Retrograde amnesia
Can’t remember past stuff
Anterograde amnesia
Can’t remember new stuff
Potentiation
Increase in strength of nerve impulses along pathways which have been used previously, either short or long term
Neuronal efficiency and long term potentiation
When we repeatedly call up a memory that involves repeated activation of the same synapses. Repeated firing encourages the neurons involved to become more efficient
Neuronal efficiency and long term potentiation
More electrical activity within neurons that is creating the neuronal efficiency in memory pathways
The neuron charges last a long time
