Psych Final - Memory Flashcards
Sensation
the process by which our sensory receptors and nervous system receive and represent stimulus energies from our environment
Perception
the process of organizing and interpreting sensory information, enabling us to recognize meaningful objects and events
Memory
the persistence of learning over time through the storage and retrieval of information
Encoding
the processing of information into the memory system—for example, by extracting meaning
Storage
the retention of encoded information over time
Retrieval
the process of getting information out of memory storage
Sensory memory
the immediate, very brief recording of sensory information in the memory system
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
Automatic processing
unconscious encoding of incidental information, such as space, time, and frequency, and of well-learned information, such as word meanings
Effortful processing
encoding that requires attention and conscious effort
Rehearsal
the conscious repetition of information, either to maintain it in consciousness or to encode it for storage
State-dependent memory
ability to remember based on location as well as mental and physical state
Iconic memory
momentary sensory memory of visual stimuli; a photographic or picture-image memory lasting no more than a few tenths of a second
Spacing effect
the tendency for distributed study or practice to yield better long-term retention than is achieved through massed study or practice
Serial position effect
our tendency to recall best the last and first items in a list
Imagery
mental pictures; a powerful aid to effortful processing, especially when combined with encoding
Mnemonic
memory aids, especially those techniques that use vivid imagery and organizational devices
Chunking
organizing items into familiar, manageable units; often occurs automatically
Hierarchies
a way to move terms into your longterm memory by creating ways of organizing it
Flashbulb memories
a clear memory of an emotionally significant moment or event
Amnesia
the loss of memory
Implicit memory
retention independent of conscious recollection
Explicit memory
memory of facts and experiences that one can consciously know and “declare.”
Rosy retrospection
the tendency to remember things as better than they were
Echoic memory
a momentary sensory memory of auditory stimuli; if attention is elsewhere, sounds and words can still be recalled within 3 or 4 seconds
Recall
a measure of memory in which the person must retrieve information learned earlier, as on a fill-in-the-blank test
Recognition
a measure of memory in which the person need only identify items previously learned, as on a multiple-choice test
Relearning
a measure of memory that assesses the amount of time saved when learning material for a second time
Priming
the activation, often unconsciously, of certain associations, thus predisposing one’s perception, memory, or response
Mood-congruent memory
the tendency to recall experiences that are consistent with one’s current good or bad mood
Proactive interference
the disruptive effect of prior learning on the recall of new information
Retroactive interference
the disruptive effect of new learning on the recall of old information
Repress
the basic defense mechanism that banishes anxiety-arousing thoughts, feelings, and memories from consciousness
Memory construction
reconstructing memories based on things you are told, even though they didn’t happen
Misinformation effect
incorporating misleading information into one’s memory of an event
Source amnesia
attributing to the wrong source an event we have experienced, heard about, read about, or imagined. (Also called source misattribution.) Source amnesia, along with the misinformation effect, is at the heart of many false memories
