Retrieval Flashcards
Retrieval
Retrieval refers to getting information out of the memory
store…it is there, but how do we get it out to be able to use?
Retrieval cues: stimuli that help people get information
from long-term memory (LTM)… think of these cues like
“search terms” one would use on an internet search
engine, “clues” to help find your stored memories
Retrieval Cues
Memories are held in storage by a web of associations. These
associations are like anchors that help retrieve memory.
Types of Retrieval - recognition
In recognition the person has
to identify an item amongst
others e.g., a multiple-choice
test requires recognition.
▧ Name the capital of France
○ Brussels
○ Rome
○ London
○ Paris
types of retrieval - Recall
In recall the person must
retrieve information using
effort, e.g., a fill-in-the blank
test requires recall.
▧ The capital of Germany
is _______.
types of retrievals - Relearning
In relearning the individual shows how much time (or effort)
is saved when learning material a second time.
Priming
Procedure of providing cues that stimulate memories without
awareness of the connection between the cue and the retrieved
memory
Often referred to as “memoryless memory” because it is done
without our conscious awareness…yet it predisposes us to interpret
or recall information in a certain way.
Constructive Memory
Can sometimes add detail to a memory and
can lead to a false memory.
Context Effects
the improved recall of specific episodes or information when the context
(details of location) present at encoding and retrieval are the same
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When you’ve lost your keys or phone,
and you “retrace your steps” – how
does that serve as context effects?
And what does this mean for your
studying or where you take tests?
Bottom line… the more
closely the retrieval cues
match the form in which the
information was encoded, the
better the information will be
remembered.
Déjà vu
Is the “I’ve experienced this before” experience. Cues from the current
situation (context) may unconsciously trigger retrieval of an earlier
similar experience.
State-Dependent Memory
Is when memory retrieval is most efficient when an individual is in the
same state of consciousness as they were when the memory was
formed.
So if you are really tired each day you come to our class for, your recall
will be better on the test if you are tired.
Same applies to intoxication… if someone is intoxicated when learning
something (someone’s phone number for instance), then they will
have trouble recalling it when sober.
Mood-congruent Memory
Is our tendency to recall experiences that are consistent with one’s
current mood…so if you are happy or in a good mood, you are
more likely to recall happy or positive event while a bad mood will
bring about sad or negative memories
Likewise, if you come to our class angry everyday (maybe your
previous class is frustrating) then your recall on the test will be
better if you are frustrated then as well.
Tip-of-the-Tongue (TOT) Phenomenon
Inability to recall a word or idea, while knowing it is in your
memory.
▧ most common items of TOT are names and familiar objects
○ Why does it happen?
■ probably due to interference during recall…poor match
between retrieval cues and encoding of information
