Memory Flashcards
What is encoding?
the process of transferring sensory information into our memory system
What is the serial position effect?
in an immediate recall condition, an individual is more likely to recall the first and last items on a list (primary and recency)
Who developed the serial position effect?
Ebbinghaus
Why is it hypothesized that the first items are recalled?
because they have had the most time to be encoded and transferred to long term memory
Why is it hypothesized that the last items are recalled?
because they are still in the phonological loop and are readily available
What is the dual coding hypothesis?
it is easier to remember words associated with images than just words or images alone
True or False - long term memory is believed to have an infinite capacity?
True
What area of the brain is associated with short term memory?
the hippocampus
What area of the brain is associated with working memory?
the prefrontal cortex
What are the 2 types of long term memory?
- explicit memory
2. implicit memory
What is explicit memory?
this is memory with conscious recall
also called “declarative memory”
What are the types of explicit memory?
- episodic (personal events & experiences)
- semantic (facts & general knowledge)
Reminiscing about your first kiss is an example of what type of memory?
explicit: episodic
Recalling that Sacramento is the capitol of California is an example of what type of memory?
explicit: semantic
What is implicit memory?
this is memory without conscious recall
also called “nondeclarative memory”
What is a type of implicit memory?
procedural, which involves motor skills and actions
Folding laundry, driving your car and brushing your teeth are what kind of memory?
implicit - its an almost automatic reaction that does not require conscious focus
“It’s just like riding a bike”
What is neural plasticity?
the ability of the brain’s networks of neurons and synapses to change
- the brain is able to reorganize in response to a stroke or TBI; lost tissue can be taken over by unaffected areas
What is memory consolidation?
the strengthening of the neural network that represents a memory
What is long term potentiation (LTP)?
the increase in likelihood that presynaptic input will trigger an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron
What is mood dependent memory?
what we learn in one state is most easily recalled when we are once again in that emotional state
When someone is depressed, events in the past that were sad are more likely to come to the forefront of their mind. What is this an example of?
mood dependent memory
What is the learning curve?
frequent review of information over time slows forgetting
What is the forgetting curve?
unreviewed information is quickly forgotten over time
What are the different types of amnesia?
- retrograde amnesia
- anterograde amnesia
The inability to encode NEW memories is called…..?
anterograde amnesia
“ante” = after
The inability to remember OLD memories is called….?
retrograde amnesia
“retro” = before
The process of ______ describes the fading of a memory.
decay
In terms of memory, what is “interference?”
this is a phenomenon that prevents successful memory retrieval
What are the 2 types of memory interference?`
- retroactive interference
2. proactive interference
What is retroactive interference?
when newly learned material interferes with retrieval of OLDER information
What is an example of retroactive interference?
At a concert, the band plays all of the songs from their new album, but struggle to remember the words to a fan favorite song that they wrote 10 years ago.
What is proactive interference?
when previously learned material interferes with retrieval of NEW material
What is an example of proactive interference?
you lost your cell phone and need to get a new one; however, whenever someone asks you for your phone number you continue to give them your old number
What is “working memory?”
whatever you are thinking about at this very moment
also called “short term memory”
What is “retrieval?”
the process of finding information stored in memory
What are the main retrieval cues?
- priming
- context
- state/mood dependent
What are the 3 types of retrieval?
- free recall
- cued recall
- recognition
What is memory reconstruction?
when we retrieve a memory, we re-activate the neural network that represents the memory
this activation provides an opportunity for changes to be made in that network and the associated memory
What is the “misinformation effect?”
the tendency to misremember
What are the ways in which someone misremembers?
- being provided FALSE information
- being provided MISLEADING information
What are false memories?
inaccurate recollections of an event
-often expressed with extreme confidence
What can result in creating false memories?
implanting of ideas
What is source monitoring?
forgetting where the information came from
What are flashbulb memories?
high detailed, exceptionally vivid “snapshots” of an event
*people tend to remember exactly where they were and what they were doing when the event in question was happening
True or False - flashbulb memories are not susceptible to misinformation or reconstruction
False - flashbulb memories are just as susceptible, even though they seem as real as life
What is the phenomenon of “spreading activation?”
where one item triggers an activation of related memories
*when tested on things that have been presented, people often retrieve items NOT presented
Remembering to do things in the future is an example of…….
prospective memory
When would prospective memory be stronger?
when there are cues in the environment, such as the elderly having several alarms set throughout the day to remind them to take their medications
*if there aren’t cues, the person may “fail to remember to remember”
What types of memory remains stable with age?
- implicit / procedural memory
- recognition
What types of memory improve with age?
- general info (semantic & crystallized intelligence)
- crystallized intelligence
- reasoning skills
What types of memory decline with age?
- recall
- explicit memory (episodic)
- fluid intelligence
- processing speed
- divided attention
What is “dementia?”
-memory / cognitive decline that impairs daily life
What is the most common form of dementia?
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)
What is the genesis of Korsakoff’s Syndrome?
cognitive impairment due to thiamine deficiency (B1)
What are the main causes of Korsakoff’s Syndrome?
- alcoholism
- malnutrition
- eating disorders
Why is thiamine important?
it converts carbohydrates into the glucose that your body utilizes for energy
What is the precursor to Korsakoff’s Syndrome?
Wernicke’s Encephalopathy
- poor balance
- mild confusion
- abnormal eye movements
- memory loss
What is “confabulation?”
making up stories to account for memory gaps
-common in patients with Korsakoff’s Syndrome
What is the “semantic network approach?”
the idea that concepts are organized in your mind in terms of connected ideas
What is “spreading activation?”
because all of the ideas in your head are connected together, activating one concept will pull up other concepts along with it
What is an example of spreading activation?
when someone says fire engine, not only will I think of a fire engine truck, but all of the related concepts like firehose, stations, Dalmatian dogs, the color red
What part of the brain is responsible for procedural memory?
basal ganglia
What is “priming?” Give an example.
when a previous experience influences your current thought patterns
example: You spend all day playing with your pet rabbits on your farm. When you go to the salon, the stylist ask what you want done about your “hair,” and your brain immediately thinks to your “hares” at home.
There’s no conscious effort to make the distinction, so your brain goes to the last immediate representation
What is “negative priming?”
This occurs when your memory retrieval is slowed down because you were instructed to ignore something.
a slow reaction to a stimulus that was previously ignored
What is an example of “negative priming?”
First, you are told to only look at X’s and ignore all O’s. When you are asked to yell out every time you see an X, your response time will likely be fairly rapid.
However, if next you are told to yell out every time you see an O, your reactions will be slower because you were previously primed to ignore all O’s.
