psy chapter 7 Flashcards
memory
the processes involved in the encoding, storage, and the retrieval of information
encoding
process through which information enters our memory system
storage
preserving information for possible recollection in the future
retrieval
accessing information encoded and stored in memory
information processing model
conceptualizes memory as a flow of information through a series of stage: sensory memory, short term memory, and long term memory
sensory memory
can hold vast amounts of sensory stimuli for a silver of time
short term memory
can temporarily maintain and process limited information for longer periods
long term memory
has essentially unlimited capacity and can hold onto information for indefinitely
iconic memory
visual impressions that are photograph-like in their accuracy but dissolve in less than a second
eidetic memory
ability to “see” an image or object sometimes long after it has been removed from sight with amazing specificity. occurs primarily in children
echoic memory
exact copies of the sounds we hear
maintenance rehearsal
technique of repeating information to be remembered, increasing the length of time it can be held in short term memory. does not work if you’re distracted
chunking
grouping numbers, letters, or other items into meaning subsets as a strategy for increasing the quantity of information that can be maintained in short term memory
working memory
the active processing of information in short term memory
what are the four components of working memory ?
phonological loop, visuospatial sketchpad, central executive, episodic buffer
phonological loop
responsible for working with verbal information for brief periods of time
visuospatial sketchpad
where visual and spatial data are briefly stored and manipulated
central executive
directs attention, makes plans, and coordinates activities. determines what information is used and what is ignored
episodic buffer
forms the bridge between memory and conscious awareness
explicit memory
type of memory you are aware of having and can consciously express in words or declare including memories of facts and experiences
implicit memory
a memory of something you know or know how to do, but which might be automatic or unconscious. includes memories formed through classical conditioning
semantic memory
the memory of information theoretically available to anyone, which pertains to general facts about the world
episodic memory
the record of memorable experiences or “episodes” including when and where an experience occurred
flashbulb memory
detailed account of circumstances surrounding an emotionally significant or shocking, sometimes historic, event. frequently recall the precise moment you learned of an event
procedural memory
the unconscious memory of how to carry out a variety of skills and activities. it’s a type of implicit memory
mnemonic
technique to improve memory
retrieval cues
stimuli that aid in retrieval of information that is difficult to access
priming
the stimulation of memories as a result of retrieval cues in the environment. made possible by implicit memory
recall
retrieving information held in long term memory without explicit retrieval cues. more difficult than recognition
what’s an example of recall?
short answer test question
recognition
matching incoming data to information stored in long term memory. have to identify information rather than come up with it
what’s an example of recognition?
multiple choice test question
serial position effect
the ability to recall items in a list depends on where they are in the series
encoding specificity principle
memories are more easily recalled when the context and cues at the time of encoding are similar to those at the time of retrieval
state dependent memory
remembering things is easier when physiological and psychological conditions, including moods and emotions, are similar at the time of encoding and retrieval
mood congruence
retrieval is easier when the content of a memory corresponds to our present emotional state
relearning
material learned previously is acquired more quickly in subsequent exposures
proactive interference
the tendency for information learned in the past to interfere with the retrieval of new material
retroactive interference
the tendency for recently learned information to interfere with the retrieval of things learned in the past
amnesia
can result from either a physical or psychological condition
what are the two types of amnesia
anterograde and retrograde
retrograde amnesia
the inability to retrieve memories for events that occurred before an amnesia- causing injury
(retro means before)
anterograde amnesia
inability to form memories for events that occur after an injury
(antero means after)
long term potentiation
the increased efficiency of neural communication over time, resulting in learning and the formation of memories
what is the role of the hippocampus?
- essential for creating new explicit memories but not necessarily implicit memories.
- memory formation may be occurring simultaneously in both the hippocampus and the cortex
- responsible for accessing young memories, but then passes on that responsibility to other brain regions as memories grow older
chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)
a neurodegenerative disease that leads to atypical deposits of tau protein throughout various regions in the brain as a result of repeated mild traumatic brain injury
what are symptoms of CTE
significant memory issues, impulsivity, aggression, insomnia, and depression
