PS5: memory Flashcards
encoding
process of committing new information to memory
controlled processing
aka effortful processing; active encoding, in which we consciously label pieces of info to be memorized
automatic processing
encoding without explicitly labeling info to be encoded
semantic encoding
process of putting things into a meaningful context to help store it in one’s memory
self-reference effect
info that is most pertinent to one’s past experience is most easily encoded and retrieved
visual encoding
info is stored in diagrams and figures
auditory encoding
storage of info in sound
maintenance rehearsal
process of repeating info to store it in memory
mnemonics
developing acronyms and rhymes that consolidate lists of info
method of loci
organizing info in a list and associating each item with a spatial location in an imagined physical space
peg-words
organizing info by associating words with images
chunking
organizing lists of info into smaller groups
confabulation
the creation of made-up stories to fill in gaps in our memory
source-monitoring error
when details of an event are correctly remembered, but the origin of context of the info is incorrectly attributed
misinformation effect
when information or context drastically changes the perception of an event
sensory memory
info that is received from the environment by the senses
iconic memory
visual sensory memory
echoic memory
auditory sensory memory (lasts slightly longer than iconic)
short-term memory
lasts about 30 seconds, can hold about seven items at a time
long-term memory
no limit on amount of info stored
implicit memory
aka procedural memory; includes skills-based knowledge and conditioned responses
explicit memory
memories that require active recall
semantic memory
stores explicit facts and knowledge
episodic memory
stores events and occurrences that have been lived through
flashbulb memory
captures elements of both semantic memory and episodic memory, typically results from important or traumatic events
elaborative rehearsal
info in short-term memory is moved to long-term memory
long-term potentation
process of strengthening and increasing the physiological activity of receptors in a path in order to encode info into long-term memory
Alzheimer’s disease
memory loss proceeds in a retrograde fashion (most recent memories are lost first)
Korsakoff’s syndrome
caused by a nutritional deficiency of thiamine, most often found in alcoholics. causes both retrograde and anterograde amnesia
anterograde amnesia
inability to create new memories
interference
presence of certain info causes loss of similar but older info or prevents encoding of new info
retroactive interference
occurs when new info displaces old info
proactive interference
old info prevents encoding and storage of new info
decay
memories lost over time due to failure of encoding in long-term memory
spacing effect
the longer the period between relearning sessions, the greater the retention is in the long run
retrieval
ability to recreate info that has been stored in memory without use of context clues
serial position effect
position of an item in a list will affect the ability of the list to be accurately recalled
recognition
ability to use context clues to retrieve info that is related
spreading activation
activation of highly related concepts that are interconnected within a semantic network
priming
when a cue related to a semantic memory is presented in an attempt to prompt that memory
context effects
when the physical location that an individual is in aids with info retrieval
state-dependent memory
info learned in a particular emotional state will be better recalled when the person is in the same state as when they learned the info
