Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Introduction to Psychology > Memory > Flashcards

Memory Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
AP® Psychology flashcards Psychology 101 flashcards GRE® Psychology flashcards
1
Q

What is the definition of memory?

A

Memory is the process that allows us to record, store and later retrieve experiences and information.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the three stages of memory processing in order?

A
  1. Encoding
  2. Storage
  3. Retrieval
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What happens during the encoding process of forming a memory?

A

Information is stored by translating it into neural code that your brain processes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are the three stages of processing according to the Information Processing
Model (Atkinson & Shiffrin, 1968)?

A
  1. Sensory memory
  2. Working memory
  3. Long-term memory
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is sensory memory?

A

Raw perception by senses that fades quickly if not processed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

How long does it take for sensory memory to occur?

A

Less than a second

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is chunking?

A

Combining individual items into larger units of meaning

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is working memory?

A

A limited-capacity system that temporarily stores and processes information

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the four components of the working memory system?

A
  1. Central executive
  2. Visuospatial sketchpad
  3. Episodic buffer
  4. Phonological loop
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the episodic buffer in the working memory system?

A

It is a temporary storage for retrieved long-term memories to be used in processing information

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the phonological loop and visuospatial sketchpad in working memory?

A

Phonological loop: a component of working memory that briefly stores mental representations of sounds

Visuospatial sketchpad: a component of working memory that briefly stores visual and spatial information

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What does the central executive do in working memory?

A

It controls the actions of the other subsystems by:
- allocating attention to the subsystems
- integrating information within the episodic buffer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are the two subparts of the phonological loop?

A

Phonological storage: the explicit memory of what you heard

Articulatory loop: repeating things you’ve heard

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is Miller’s magical number?

A

7 ± 2

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

How long does working memory take?

A

≈ 18 seconds

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Briefly describe the long-term memory stage of the Information Processing Model (Atkinson & Shiffrin, 1968)?

A

Long-term memory: a vast library of more durable stored memories

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is the capacity for stored information in the long-term memory?

A

There is a potentially unlimited capacity for long-term memories

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

How is long-term memory and working memory connected?

A

Long-term memories are retrieved and integrated into the working memory by the central executive.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Why is encoding an imperfect process?

A

We cannot notice/encode all sensory information.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is an example of encoding being unable to process all sensory information?

A

Selective attention: being unable to process all information available

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What are the two types of long-term memories in the storage phase of memory processing?

A

Declarative (explicit): conscious recall

Nondeclarative (implicit): unconscious recall

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What are the two types of declarative long-term memory?

A
  1. Semantic memory: facts - general knowledge
  2. Episodic memory: personally experienced events
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What are the two types of non-declarative long-term memory?

A
  1. Skills - motor and cognitive
  2. Classical conditioning effects
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Briefly explain the theory behind Ebbinghaus’ Forgetting Curve?

A

Memories degrade and are lost a consistent rate.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What are the two reasons we forget information?

A
  1. Decay
  2. Interference
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Briefly describe why decay and interference causes memory to be lost?

A

Decay : information gradually disappears from memory

Interference: memory can be impaired by other information

27
Q

What is Retroactive Interference?

A

Learning new information makes it harder to retrieve old information.

28
Q

What is Proactive Interference?

A

When old memories affect the retrieval of new memories.

29
Q

What are the two types of memory interference?

A
  1. Retroactive interference
  2. Proactive interference
30
Q

What is retrieval?

A

When information from long-term memory is brought to the conscious awareness

31
Q

What are two retrieval cues for information processing?

A
  1. Reminders
  2. Context effects
32
Q

What are the two types of context effects that act as retrieval cues?

A
  1. Physical environment
  2. Internal environment
33
Q

What are the two context effects of a person’s internal environment?

A
  1. Mood congruent memory
  2. State dependent memory
34
Q

Briefly describe why physical environment acts as a contextual retrieval cue?

A

Information encoded by a person in a particular physical context will be better retrieved when they return to that environment

35
Q

What is a retrieval cue?

A

A stimulus, whether internal or external, that activates information stored in long term memory.

36
Q

What is a mood congruent memory?

A

It is an internal context retrieval cue. It is the tendency to recall experiences that are consistent with one’s current mood

37
Q

What is a state dependent memory?

A

It is an internal context retrieval cue. It is that when something is learned in one state, it can be more easily recalled when in the same state.

38
Q

Briefly describe how information is recorded in sensory memory.

A

The senses momentarily register information of stimuli in amazing detail.

39
Q

Briefly describe how much information is recorded in short-term memory.

A

A few items are both noticed and encoded in short-term memory.

40
Q

Briefly describe how information is stored in long-term storage.

A

In long-term (memory) storage, some items are altered or lost.

41
Q

What four things affect what information is retrieved from long-term memory?

A
  1. Interference
  2. Retrieval cues
  3. Moods
  4. Motives
42
Q

Briefly describe the misinformation effect.

A

The distortion of a memory by misleading post-event information.

43
Q

What is another term for source monitoring error?

A

Source confusion

44
Q

Briefly describe the source monitoring error.

A

Our tendency to recall something or recognise it as familiar but to forget where we encountered it.

45
Q

What type of statements/questioning can lead to source confusion?

A

Suggestive statements / suggestive questioning

46
Q

How do suggestive statements/questioning lead to source confusion?

A

Suggestive statements and questioning can lead to the misinformation effect.

This is when the person recalling the event forgets that the misinformation is coming from someone else, this can make them believe it was a part of the event.

47
Q

What is a schema?

A

Mental representation of an object, scene or event.

48
Q

What is memory distortion?

A

When someone unconsciously alters or changes details when recalling a memory.

49
Q

What is Autobiographical Memory?

A

Memory for the events we have experienced in our own lives.

50
Q

What are three ways of studying autobiographical memory?

A
  1. Retrospective surveys/interviews
  2. Diary studies
  3. Retrieval cues
51
Q

In people over the age of 40, what time period of their life is hard for them to remember? What is the name of this period?

A

Period of childhood amnesia: memories before the age of five

52
Q

What are the three individual time periods in a person’s memory?

A
  1. Period of childhood amnesia
  2. Reminiscence bump
  3. Period of recency
53
Q

What age range is most memorable for people older than 40? What is the name of this time period?

A

Reminiscence bump: between age 10 and age 30

54
Q

What kind of memories cause a reminiscence bump?

A

Happy and important memories are remembered better than sad memories.

55
Q

What is the life script?

A

Cultural expectation about the major life events in people’s lives (e.g., first kiss; leaving home; first job)

56
Q

How does a person’s life script affect their reminiscence bump?

A

During the reminiscence period of between age 10 and 30, many important life events take place:

Personal events are easier to recall when they fit the cultural life script.

57
Q

How does the reminiscence bump vary between different cultures?

A

The period of the reminiscence bump was the same across all cultures (10-
30 years)

But, there were cultural differences in the types of memories

58
Q

How did the type of memories vary between the US and China in the reminiscence bump of their cultures?

A

US participants recalled more memories of personal significance (self-focus)

Chinese participants recalled more memories with a group or social orientation (collective-focus)

59
Q

After one year, what percentage of visits to a medical centre could you expect someone to remember?

A

About 45% of visits

60
Q

After year after being discharged from a hospital, what percentage of people would likely forget about their visit to the hospital?

A

According to Cannel et al. (1961), about 10% would likely forget visiting the hospital after one year.

61
Q

How does information get from sensory memory to long-term memory?

A

Information passes through sensory memory then working memory to enter long term memory.

62
Q

What age group has the highest rate of recall for memories in their reminiscence bump?

A

Older people have a higher rate of recalling personal experiences from 10-30 years (reminiscence bump)

63
Q

Briefly describe the rate of which information is lost from the memory according to the Ebbinghaus’ Forgetting Curve.

A

Memory degrades quickly at first then slows over time.

Introduction to Psychology (6 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions