Memory and Learning

Question 1

Learning

Answer 1

The acquisition of new knowledge or skills through education or experience

Question 2

Encoding

Answer 2

The process the brain uses to transfer new sensory information into memory

Question 3

Automatic processing

Answer 3

Refers to information that is processed into memory without any effort

Type of encoding

Ex: You move to a neighborhood and walk around, exploring streets and landmarks around. Without any effort, you can remember those streets and landmarks next time you go out.

Question 4

Controlled processing

Answer 4

Refers to a more effortful process of creating memories

Type of encoding

Ex: studying for a test like the MCAT (requires a lot of time, effort, and focus)

Question 5

Visual encoding

Answer 5

Visualize new information to be stored in memory

Weakest form of encoding

Question 6

Acoustic encoding

Answer 6

Concentrate and memorize the way something sounds

Question 7

Semantic encoding

Answer 7

Put new information into the context of information we already have committed to memory

Strongest form of encoding

Question 8

Self-reference effect

Answer 8

The human tendency to most readily recall information that pertains directly to our lives and our selves

Question 9

Maintenance rehearsal

Answer 9

Repeating a phrase over and over again until you’ve memorized it

Question 10

Chunking

Answer 10

When a person groups information into separate chunks

Ex: memorize the digits of a phone number in groups of three

Question 11

Dual coding hypothesis

Answer 11

It is easier to memorize words that are paired with a specific image than to memorize either an individual word or image

Question 12

Depth of processing

Answer 12

The deeper the processing of a memory, the more likely we are to remember it

Ex: it’s easier to remember the general plot of a movie than specific, individual lines

Question 13

Method of loci

Answer 13

In which a person associates an item to be memorized at points along a memorized route

Ex: when trying to memorize organs of the digestive system in order, you might envision cartoon representations of those organs in different parts of your house, in the order that you walk through it

Question 14

Sensory memory

Answer 14

The initial recording of encoded sensory information, and is therefore the most fleeting form of memory storage

Typically lasts no more than one second

Question 15

Iconic memory

Answer 15

Responsible for visual information and lasting only a few tenths of a second

Type of sensory memory

Question 16

Echoic memory

Answer 16

Responsible for auditory information and lasting for 3 to 4 seconds

Type of sensory memory

Question 17

Short-term memory

Answer 17

Like sensory memories, but lasting closer to 30 seconds without repetition

Can handle only about 7 pieces of information at once

Question 18

Working memory

Answer 18

The element of short-term memory that allows us to consciously process and manipulate a few pieces of information

Ex: mental math

Question 19

Implicit memory (nondeclarative)

Answer 19

Acquired skills and conditioned responses to circumstances and stimuli

The cerebellum plays a primary role in encoding implicit memories

Question 20

Procedural memory

Answer 20

Accounts for motor skills and specific physical actions

Part of implicit memory

Question 21

Explicit memory (declarative)

Answer 21

Memories that we must consciously recall with effort and focus

The hippocampus plays a primary role in encoding explicit memories

Question 22

Episodic memory

Answer 22

Memory that accounts for our experiences

Part of explicit memory

Question 23

Semantic memory

Answer 23

Memory which accounts for facts and concepts that we know

Part of explicit memory

Question 24

Retrieval

Answer 24

The process the brain uses to find information stored in long-term memory

Question 25

Recall

Answer 25

Ability to retrieve stored information

Question 26

Free recall

Answer 26

When you retrieve stored information without any further information

Question 27

Cued recall

Answer 27

When you retrieve information after being provided with a cue, or some other information to help find that stored memory