Psych Unit 7 Flashcards
The persistence of learning over time through the encoding, storage, and retrieval of information
Memory
A measure of memory in which the person must retrieve information learned earlier, as on a fill-in-the-blank test
Recall
A measure of memory in which the person identifies items previously learned, as on a MCQ test
Recognition
A measure of memory that assesses the amount of time saved when learning material again
Relearning
The process of getting information into the memory system (Ex: extracting meaning)
Encoding
The process of retaining encoded info over time
Storage
The process of getting information out of memory storage
Retrieval
Processing many aspects of a problem simultaneously; the brain’s natural mode of information processing for many functions
Parallel processing
The immediate, very brief record of sensory information in the memory system
Sensory memory
Activated memory that holds a few items briefly, such as digits of a phone number while calling, before the information is stored or forgotten
Short-term memory
The relatively permanent/ limitless storehouse of the memory system (Knowledge, skills, experiences)
Long-term memory
A newer understanding of short-term memory that adds conscious, active processing of incoming auditory/visual information/ of information retrieved from long-term memory
Working memory
Retention of facts/experiences that one can consciously know/”declare” (Declarative memory)
Explicit memory
Encoding that requires attention/ conscious effort
Effortful processing
Unconscious encoding of incidental information (Space, time, frequency, well-learned info: word meanings)
Automatic processing
Retention of learned skills/classically conditioned associations independent of conscious recollection (Nondeclarative memory)
Implicit memory
A momentary sensory memory of visual stimuli; a picture-image memory lasting no more than a few tenths of a second
Iconic memory
A momentary sensory memory of auditory stimuli; if attention is elsewhere, sounds and words can still be recalled within 3 or 4 sec
Echoic memory
Organizing items into familiar, manageable units often occurs automatically
Chunking
Memory aids, especially those techniques that use vivid imagery/organizational devices
Mnemonics
Encoding on a basic level, based on the structure or appearance of words
Shallow Processing
Enhanced memory after retrieving, rather than simply rereading, information (Retrieval practice effect/ test-enhanced learning)
Testing effect
The tendency for distributed study or practice to yield better long-term retention than is achieved through massed study or practice
Spacing effect
Encoding semantically, based on the meaning of the words; tends to yield the best retention
Deep processing
Explicit memory of personally experience events; one of our two conscious memory systems
Episodic memory
Explicit memory of facts/general knowledge; one of our two conscious memory systems
Semantic memory
The neural storage of a long-term memory
Memory consolidation
A clear, sustained memory of an emotionally significant moment or event
Flashbulb memory
A neural center located in the limbic system; helps process explicit (conscious) memories of facts/events for storage
Hippocampus
The activation, often unconsciously, of particular association in memory
Priming
An increase in a cell’s firing potential after brief, rapid stimulation; a neural basis for learning/ memory
Long-term potentiation (LTP)
The idea that cues and context specific to a particular memory will be most effective in helping us recall it
Encoding specificity principle
The tendency to recall experiences that are consistent with one’s current good/bad mood
Mood-congruent memory
Our tendency to recall best the last (recency effect), first (primary effect) items in a list
Serial position effect
An inability to form new memories
Anterograde amnesia
An inability to retrieve information from one’s past
Retrograde amnesia
Occurs when misleading information has distorted one’s memory of an event
Misinformation effect
A process in which previously stored memories, when retrieved, are potentially altered before being stored again
Reconsolidation
The forward-acting disruptive effect of older learning on the recall of new info
Proactive interference
Faulty memory for how, when, or where information was learned or imagined (source misattributing) is the heart of many false memories
Source amnesia
The backward-acting disruptive effect of newer learning on the recall of old info
Retroactive interference
In psychoanalytic theory, the basic defense mechanism that banishes consciousness anxiety-arousing thoughts, feelings, memories
Repression
That eerie sense that “I’ve experienced this before” Cues from the current situation may unconsciously trigger retrieval of an earlier experience
Déjà vu
