Lecture 1: Cognitive Psychology Flashcards
Chapter 7
Definition of memory
the storage of information in the brain for later access
What is encoding
the process of taking information from the world, as well as our internal internal thoughts and feelings, and creating a storage ready-ready version
What is storage
the maintenance of encoded information in the brain for later access
What is retrieval
the process of bringing to mind previously encoded and stored information
Sensory memory, length
information has entered the brain, lasts less than a second, very detailed
Short-term memory, length
1 second to a minute
Long-term memory, length
Meaning, few hours to decades,
Post-categorical processing (level of detail in sensory memory vs short-term memory)
Sensory memory: very detailed, raw (four legs, white, soft fur, long ears)
Short-term memory: category level, details -> meaning (a rabbit)
Working Memory
Definition: short-term memory storage and the manipulation of information by retrieving information about what we already know to recognize and interpret what is coming through our senses
To get an item into short-term memory…
We need to pay attention to it while it is in sensory memory
To get an item into long-term memory…
We need to pay attention to it while it is in short-term memory
Serial positioning effects demonstration
words at the beginning of a word list use long-term memory
words at the end of a word list use short-term memory
Recency effect
Words are active in short-term and working memory, so people recall them immediately
Primary effect
Words that made it into long-term memory - people with a poor ability to form long-term memories do not show a primacy effect
Amnesia
the loss of memory due to brain damage or trauma
