MEMORY Flashcards
transforming information into a form that can be entered and retained in the memory system
Encoding
retaining information in memory so that it can be used at a later time
Storage
recovering information stored in memory so that we are consciously aware of it
Retrieval
3 stages of memory
- sensory memory
- working or short term memory
- long term memory
Sensory Memory function
process for basic physical characteristics
Sensory memory capacity
large
can hold many items at once
Sensory Memory Duration
very brief retention of images
.3 sec for visual info
2 sec for auditory info
Sensory Memory Two types
Divided into two types:
iconic memory
echoic memory
visual information
iconic memory
auditory information
Attention is needed to transfer information to working memory
echoic memory
brief memory of an image or icon. Also called iconic memory.
Visual sensory memory
brief memory of a sound or echo. Also called echoic memory.
Auditory sensory memory
________ may last a bit longer than visual sensory memories
Auditory sensory memories
conscious processing of information
where information is actively worked on
Short-term memory function
Short term memory Capacity
limited (holds 7+/-2 items)
Short term duration
Duration—brief storage (about 30 seconds)
Mental or verbal repetition of information allows information to remain in working memory longer than the usual 30 seconds
Maintenance rehearsal
Grouping small bits of information into larger units of information
Chunking
Once information passes from sensory to working memory, it can be encoded into ___
long-term memory
organizes and stores information
more passive form of storage than working memory
Long term memory function
Long term memory capacity
Unlimited capacity
Long term memory duration
thought by some to be permanent
—process that controls movement from working to long-term memory store
Encoding
—process that controls flow of information from long-term to working memory store
Retrieval
Unconscious encoding of information
Automatic processing
Requires attention and conscious effort
Effortful processing
Types of long term memory
Explicit Memory
Implicit memory
—memory with awareness; information can be consciously recollected; also called declarative memory
Explicit memory
memory without awareness; memory that affects behavior but cannot consciously be recalled; also called nondeclarative memory
Implicit memory
Two subtypes of explicit memory
Episodic memory
Semantic Information
information about events or “episodes”
Episodic information
—information about facts, general knowledge, school work
Semantic information
Memory tied to your own personal experiences
Episodic memory
Memory not tied to personal events
General facts and definitions about
the world
Semantic memory
Influences your thoughts or behavior, but does not enter consciousness
Implicit memory
Memory that enables you to perform specific learned skills or habitual responses
Procedural Memory
organizing items into related groups during recall from long-term memory
Clustering
test of LTM that involves retrieving memories without cues, also termed free recall
Recall
test of LTM that involves remembering an item of information in response to a retrieval cue
Cued recall
test of LTM that involves identifying correct information from a series of possible choices
Recognition
tendency to remember items at the beginning and end of a list better than items in the middle
Serial position effect
environmental cues to recall
Context effects
physical, internal factors
State dependent retrieval
factors related to mood or emotions
Mood Congruence
- Recall of very specific images or details about a vivid, rare, or significant event
- May seem very vivid and specific, but they are not more accurate than ordinary memories
Flashbulb Memory
Memory can be distorted as people try
to fit new info into existing _____
schemas
Forgetting Theories
Encoding failure
Interference theories
Motivated forgetting
Decay
- Forgetting NOT caused by mere passage of time
- Caused by one memory competing with or replacing another memory
Interfering Theory
Two types of interference
Retroactive interference
Proactive Interference
When a NEW memory interferes with remembering OLD information
Retroactive Interference
When an OLD memory interferes with remembering NEW information
Proactive Interference
Undesired memory is held back form awareness
Motivated Forgetting
—conscious forgetting
Suppression
—unconscious forgetting (Freudian)
Repression
Ability to retrieve info declines with time after original encoding
Decay theories
Memories fade away or decay gradually if ___
unused
When new memory formed, it creates a ____
Memory trace
a change in brain structure or chemistry
memory trace
Karl Lashley searched for a localized memory trace or ___
engram
______ found that memory for simple classically conditioned responses was localized (in the ______)
Richard Thompson
cerebellum
—severe memory loss
Amnesia
inability to remember past episodic information; common after head injury; need for consolidation
Retrograde amnesia
—inability to form new memories; related to hippocampus damage
Anterograde amnesia
People suffering from amnesia typically cannot recall their own name or identity. ____ of the respondents agreed; all 16 experts disagreed.
83%
