Memory

Question 1

define memory

Answer 1

an information processing system (like a computer)

Question 2

Identify and describe the three major processes of memory

Answer 2

encoding - putting something into the memory

storage - where you put something in memory, STM and LTM

retrieval - how do you get it back from storage

Question 3

define encoding

Answer 3

putting information into our memory

Question 4

Define & understand the role that attention plays in our memory

Answer 4

When we pay attention to something we remember it more.
ex: the pennies we saw in class - we don’t really pay attention to them so we don’t remember exactly what they look like

Question 5

Define selective attention

Answer 5

when attending to our environment, we focus on things that we deem to be important and tune out unimportant details
ex: girl w umbrella & cocktail phenomenon

Question 6

Describe how levels of processing impact our retention

Answer 6

information that is encoded on a deeper level, through meaningful association, is easier to remember

Question 7

Describe the three levels of processing

Answer 7

structural encoding- focuses on what words look like
phonemic encoding- the process by which verbal language (words) are translated into spelled words that follow phonetic rules and guidelines
semantic encoding- the conversion of a non-verbal mental representation (the reference) into a semantic structure suitable for expression

Question 8

Explain elaboration

Answer 8

linking a stimulus to other information when you are encoding into your memory

Question 9

role of visual imagery

Answer 9

creation of visuals to represent words to be remembered

Question 10

self-referent encoding

Answer 10

encoding based on the relevance to you personally

Question 11

Define Schema

Answer 11

a mental framework created by mind to organize and help us understand our environment

Question 12

Explain how schemas impact our memory and sometimes distort our memories

Answer 12

In some instances we remember things that did not occur
Falsely remembering things if we believe it will fit our schema
Ex: falsely remember having cake and ice cream at a birthday party because it fits birthday schema

Question 13

How cues help us retrieve information

Answer 13

used to trigger the retrieval of long-term memory

Question 14

Tip of the Tongue Phenomenon

Answer 14

the temporary inability to remember something you know, accompanied by a feeling that it is just out of reach

Question 15

context cues

Answer 15

Context can help you retrieve memories. You can retrace your steps and remember something you were not able to before.
ex: might not remember a lot from your childhood until you return to the house you grew up in because the environment provides your brain with context which allows you to remember more

Question 16

Memory Reconstruction Process

Answer 16

memories that add details not part of the actual event or omit details that were

Question 17

Misinformation effect

Answer 17

when post-event information distorts or alters our memory. Causes us to create a memory of something that did not occur

Question 18

Describe Loftus’ experiment on the misinformation effect

Answer 18

Talking about the various videos of car accidents and how some people saw something that wasn’t actually there (broken glass at the scene)

Question 19

Imagination Inflation

Answer 19

when imagining a certain event occurs leads to a false memory of such event
ex: When people are told to falsely remembering doing something (attacked by an animal, lost in the mall) they are more likely to falsely remember

Question 20

Source Monitoring error

Answer 20

When a person is mistaken as to where/who they received information from
ex: A person falsely remembers that Samantha told them something, when they really received info from a newspaper article

Question 21

Reality Monitoring

Answer 21

an individual mistakenly believes a memory as externally generated when it was really internally generated
ex :A person mistakenly believes that they called their mother, when in reality they just imagined that they called her

Question 22

Destination Memory

Answer 22

the ability to remember who you told something to

Question 23

Retrograde Amnesia

Answer 23

can’t remember anything from their past life

Question 24

anterograde amnesia

Answer 24

can’t make any new memories

Question 25

arguments supporting Recovered Memories

Answer 25

Recovered memories are usually if not always genuine
Can help recover repressed traumatic memories

Question 26

arguments against Recovered Memories

Answer 26

People might not report things even if they do remember them (it’s easier to lie bc no one can prove it)
Interviewers can probe people to “remember” things that didn’t happen

Question 27

Describe how biochemistry effects memory

Answer 27

memory, like learning, derives in large part from altered synaptic connections between neurons that result from prior neuronal activities

Question 28

Describe role of synaptic connections in memory

Answer 28

the idea that memories are stored as changes in the number and strength of synapses between neurons

Question 29

kendel’s experiment

Answer 29

as the snail learned, chemical signals changed the structure of the synapses, where the signals are sent and received

Question 30

Role of hormones in memory

Answer 30

If your body does not produce sufficient levels of hormones your memory span and ability to concentrate will be negatively affected

Question 31

Define Long term potentiation (LTP) and how it how it relates to memory

Answer 31

a process involving persistent strengthening of synapses that leads to a long-lasting increase in signal transmission between neurons

Question 32

The role of hippocampus and memory

Answer 32

hippocampus is the part of the brain responsible for making new memories

Question 33

Describe process of consolidation that takes place in hippocampus

Answer 33

the process by which short term memories are converted into long term memories

Question 34

The role of the amygdala in our memory

Answer 34

responsible for processing emotional memories (especially fear).
Fear memories are more quickly processed

Question 35

Declarative memory

Answer 35

facts or memories of past events that can be ‘declared’ rather than performed

Question 36

Non Declarative memory or Procedural memory

Answer 36

physical memories linked to muscle memory, reflexes and motor control

Question 37

Semantic memory

Answer 37

conscious long-term memory for meaning, understanding, and conceptual facts about the world
ex: knowing that grass is green

Question 38

Episodic memory

Answer 38

ability to recall and mentally re-experience specific episodes from one’s personal past
ex: first day of school, what you had for breakfast

Question 39

Retrospective memory

Answer 39

the memory of people, words, and events encountered or experienced in the past
ex: memorizing a list of words and recalling them 5 mins later

Question 40

Prospective memory

Answer 40

memory for intentions
ex: remembering to take medication, mail a birthday card