Memory and Learning Flashcards
Encoding
process the brain uses to transfer new sensory information into memory
Controlled processing
refers to a more effortful process of creating memories
Acoustic encoding
concentrate and memorize the way something sounds
Semantic encoding
put new information into the context of information we already have committed to memory
Self-reference effect
the human tendency to most readily recall information that pertains directly to our lives and ourselves
Maintenance rehearsal
Repeating the phrase over and over again until you’ve memorized it
Chunking
a person groups information into separate chunks
Dual coding hypothesis
Easier to memorize words that are paired with a specific image than to memorize either an individual or word
Method of Loci
a person associates an item to be memorized at points along a memorized route
Sensory memory:
Two types: Iconic and Echoic memory
is the initial recording of encoding sensory information and is therefore the most fleeting form of memory storage
Iconic memory – responsible for visual information and lasting only for 1/10th of a second
Echoic memory –responsible for auditory information and lasting 3-4 seconds
How many pieces of information can short-term memory handle?
7
Working memory
element of short-term memory that allows us to consciously process and manipulate a few pieces of information
Ex: doing math in our head
Elaborative rehearsal
requires incoming information to be associated with information that has already made its way through long-term memory
Long-term memory is divided into:
(I) Implicit (non-declarative) memory
(II) Explicit (Declarative) memory
Implicit – accounts for acquired skills and conditioned responses to circumstances and stimuli. Also includes procedural memory (Cerebellum)
Explicit – accounts for memories that we must consciously recall with effort and focus. Two types, episodic memory which accounts for experiences and semantic memory which accounts for facts and concepts that we know (Hippocampus)
priming
allows to recall a specific piece of information after being presented with a word, phrase or idea that is neurologically close to the desired piece of information
State-dependent memory
accounts for the fact that someone who learns a new fact or skill while drunk will remember that fact or skill when they are drunk than when are sober
Anterograde amnesia
inability to create new memories
retrograde amnesia
inability to recall memories
Anterograde and retrograde amnesia can be caused by
damage to the hippocampus or thiamine deficiency, also known as Korsakoff’s syndrome
Confabulation
symptom of Korsakoff’s syndrome – its the creation of vivid but entirely fabricated memories
Alzheimer’s disease
can cause memory loss. It is believed to be a result of diminished production of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine which is important for proper functioning of the hippocampus. Without it, neurons of the hippocampus begin to die Sxs include memory loss and atrophy of the brain and dementia (loss of cognitive abilities)
Dementia
refers to loss of cognitive abilities. Sxs get much worse as time goes on –> for most part, memory loss is retrograde
Agnosia
inability to recognize objects, people or sound, usually one of the three
Mirror neurons
located in the frontal and pariental lobes, have a major role in observational learning
