Unit 5, Part 1 Flashcards
memory
learning that holds over time through the encoding, storage, and retrieval of information.
recall
a measure of memory in which the person must retrieve information that is not currently in their conscious awareness but that was learned at an earlier time. ex: fill in the blank questions.
recognition
A measure of memory in which the person identifies items previously learned. ex: multiple choice questions.
relearning
learning something more quickly the second time you learn it. ex: engaging in a language used in early childhood. faster because your brain has already gone through the process of learning it, so the second time you learn it your brain can do it quicker.
encoding
the process of getting information into the memory system of our brain.
storage
the process of retaining the information that has been encoded.
retrieval
the process of getting information out of the memory system. two types of retrieval, recall, and recognition.
long-term memory
third and last step in the memory-forming process. The permanent and limitless storehouse of the memory system.
sensory memory
the immediate, very brief recording of sensory information in the memory system. this is the first step in the memory-forming process.
parallel processing
the brain processes many things at once (sometimes unconsciously). ex: when you look at a person you take in their shape, color, motion, etc.
short-term memory
the second step in the memory-forming process. memory that holds a few items briefly before the information is stored or forgotten. ex: digits of a phone number. once information is processed into short-term memory, it gets encoded through rehearsal. rehearsal serves to maintain items in short-term storage but does not result in the transfer of information to long-term storage.
effortful processing
encoding that requires attention and conscious effort
working memory
processing already stored memories.
explicit memory
retention of facts and experiences that you are able to bring up and talk about (declarative memory).
automatic processing
unconscious encoding of information such as space, time, and frequency, and of well-learned information such as word meaning.
implicit memory
retention of learned skills or classically conditioned associations independent of conscious recollection (non-declarative memory).
iconic memory
a momentary sensory memory of a visual stimuli. if we see an image for a few tenths of a second our eyes register a memory of the picture and we can recall any part of it in amazing detail.
echoic memory
a momentary sensory memory of auditory stimuli. auditory echoes last for about 3 or 4 seconds. ex: hearing a list of numbers and then being able to say them back exactly as you heard them.
chunking
organizing units into familiar, manageable units.
mnemonics
memory aids.
spacing effect
distributed study or practice yields better long-term retention.
shallow processing
encoding on a basic level, based on the structure or appearance of words.
deep processing
encoding semantically, based on the meaning of words. tends to yield the best retention.
testing effect
enhanced memory after retrieving, rather than simply reading information. testing assesses our learning and memory but it also improves it.
semantic memory
facts and general knowledge. one of two types of explicit memory.
episodic memory
experienced events. the other type of explicit memory.
hippocampus
part of the limbic system within the brain, that helps with helps process explicit memories.
memory consolidation
the neural storage of long-term memory. where the memory is in the brain, bc it’s not always kept in the hippocampus. the hippocampus is like a loading dock for explicit memories.
flashbulb memory
a clear, sustained memory of an emotionally significant moment or event.
long-term potentiation (LTP)
an increase in a neuron’s firing potential after brief, rapid stimulation. provides a neural reason for learning and remembering associations.
priming
activating one’s associations, which results in predisposing one’s perception, memory, or response.
encoding specificity principle
the idea that specific cues and contexts to a particular memory will be most effective in helping us recall it.
