Module 1 - Biological bases and memory Flashcards
What is a memory?
storage and retrieval of information
Episodic memory
the collection of past personal experiences that occured at a particular time and place
Semantic memory
the recollection of ideas, concepts and facts
- general knowledge
autobiographical memory
the memory for events and facts related to one’s personal life story
- a combination of episodic and semantic memory
emotional memory
emotion-memory interactions (emotional response to memory recollection)
- often important in episodic memory
3 main components of memory
1) encoding
2) storage
3) retrieval
Encoding
the processing of information so that it can be stored
Storage
creation of a trace of this information within the nervous system
Retrieval
the process of getting information out of memory storage
sensory memory
A type of storage that holds sensory information for a few second or less
- this occurs before information becomes stored in the short term memory
serial position effect
our tendency to recall best the last and first items on the list
Primacy effect
tendency to recall the first terms of list
Recency effect
tendency to remember words at the end of the list especially well
Short term memory
activated memory that holds a few item briefly before the information is stored or forgotten
long term memory
the relatively permanent and limitless storehouse of the memory system. Includes knowledge, skills and experiences
Working memory
a newer understanding of short term memory that focuses on conscious, active processing of incoming auditory and visual spatial information, and of information retrieved from long term memory
congruent idea
occurs when combining two different phrases but complement each other so it makes sense
elaboration
the process by which the subject organizes and relates new information to material that is already held in long term memory
depth of processing
the idea that information that is thought about at a deeper level is better remembered
- shallow: e.g. sound, shape
- deep: meaning (semantic structure)
elaborative encoding
the process of actively relating new information to knowledge that is already in the memory
schema
a mental framework-an organized pattern of thought - about some aspect of the world
- helps organise and encode details you read about
semantic network
a series of ideas that are linked together because of their meanings
Retrogade amnesia (H.M)
an inability to retrieve information form one’s past
anterograde amnesia
an inability to form new memories