Red part of Memory Test Flashcards
sensory memory
first stage of memory where your senses pick up information from the environment
how is information processed in sensory memory
We register fleeting sensory memories, some of which are processed into short-term memories, a tiny fraction of which are encoded for long-term memory, and possibly later retrieval
What is the duration of time that memories are stored in sensory memory
very brief, processes all senses for brief period then you attend to a small amount of information that is then processed in STM or working memory
What is the capacity or how much input can be stored in sensory memory?
very large, anything that your senses are capable of picking up
sperling’s study
proved that sensory memory is very brief, and very large, but we forget it very quickly by flashing a matrix of letters with sounds
echoic sensory memory
auditory info that remains in sensory memory for 2-3 seconds
iconic sensory memory
visual info that remains in sensory memory for a fraction of time - no more than 1/2 a second
heptic sensory memory
sense of touch and remains in the memory for 4-5 seconds
Short term/Working Memory
about 7+/-2 chunks of information (5-9 pieces of information)
How long can short term memories be stored
about 18-30 seconds
Describe chunking and how it helps our short term memory?
the process by which the mind divides large pieces of information into smaller units (chunks) that are easier to retain in short-term memory
ex: FBI, CIA
Describe why in general the short term memory is called the working memory?
it is constantly working and thinking
Baddely’s model of short term memory
visuospatial, phonological, central executive, episodic buffer
capacity of long-term memory
relatively permanent, unlimited but hard t
what is a flashbulb memory and how accurate are they
a vivid, long-lasting memory about a surprising or shocking event that has happened in the past
Very accurate
Describe Ebbinghaus’s study and its findings concerning forgetting
Ebbinghaus would review a list on nonsense syllables and determine how well these items were remembered
Findings - a very steep & quick decline involving the memory of nonsense words
Shows the concept of decay which is simply when we lose memories as a function of time
define recall
retrieving information or events from the past while lacking a specific cue to help in retrieving the information.
define recognition
a form of remembering characterized by a feeling of familiarity when something previously experienced is again encountered
ex: being able to pick out the perpetrator in a
police lineup
Describe how ineffective encoding leads to memory failure.
the penny exercise; the majority of people did not choose the correct penny even though they were exposed to pennies all the time. Shallow processing of the features of penny by most people.
Describe how the decay process works
forgetting occurs because memory traces fade with time; attribute forgetting with the impermanence of memory storage; ex: forgetting what you wore on the first day of kindergarten
define Retroactive Interference
when new information impairs the retention of previously learned information; ex: forget spanish because studying french this year
define Proactive Interference
when previously learned information interferes with the creation of new memories; ex: calling your girlfriend by your ex girlfriend’s name
Encoding Specificity Principle
retrieval of memory is optimal when the retrieval conditions (such as context or cues) duplicate the conditions that were present when the memory was formed.
ex: studying for a test while chewing mint gum. chewing the gum during the actual test will help you remember what you were studying
define OVERLEARNING
when you Continue to memorize something even after you know the info., will create strong memory
SPACING EFFECT
Essentially studying a little bit over a long period of time, is better than cramming.
what is the loci method
Link items that you are trying to remember to specific locations in a journey. Form of elaboration.
Trying to remember all presidents, link each president with a location on your property. ( Washington opens door, Adams is mowing the lawn, Jefferson sitting on porch etc.)
Acronym method
things like FBI, CIA, NBA etc. help us remember what it actually stands for
serial position effect
the tendency of a person to recall the first and last items in a series best, and the middle items worst
