unit 6 Flashcards
what is encoding?
the process of getting information into LTM
what is storage?
the state of keeping encoded information in LTM
what is retrieval?
the process of getting information out of LTM
what is episodic memory?
types of LTM -> refers to events
what is semantic memory?
types of LTM -> refers to facts
what is the difference between semantic and episodic memory?
episodic relates to personal events, while semantic covers general knowledge
what is procedural memory?
type of LTM -> refers to motor skills
what is an example of procedural memory?
ex. memory for skills and tasks, such as riding a bike
what is the difference between declarative and non-declarative memory?
declarative involves factual knowledge (explicit), and non-declarative (implicit), like procedural memory
what is explicit memory tests?
consciously bringing information to mind
what is implicit memory tests?
does not require conscious recollection
what is the difference between implict and explicit memory tests?
explicit requires conscious recall (a list), whereas implicit measures unconscious influence (word competition)
what is the difference between recall & recognition?
recall: generating previously learned information
recognition: identifying information as previously learned
can an amnesic show implicit memory in the absence of explicit memory?
yes!
what is retrospective memory?
remembering things from the past
what is prospective memory?
remembering things in the future (ex. remembering to call your friend at 6:30 each day)
what is massed study?
cramming info all at once in a single study session
what is spacing study?
involves spreading out learning sessions over time w/intervals in between
which is better for LTM? spacing or massed study
spaced study is better for LTM, because spreading things apart is better for memory
what is meant by “rehearsal”
mental practice (thinking about information)
what is maintenance rehearsal? is it effective for LTM?
maintenance rehearsal: keeping information as is
it is NOT effective for LTM
what is elaborative rehearsal? is it effective for LTM?
elaborative rehearsal: incorporating meaning and connections to information
it IS much more effective for LTM.
give an example of maintenance rehearsal.
word repetition or re-reading
give an example of elaborative rehearsal.
incorporating meaning & connections to information
what is the levels of processing theory?
memory depends on depth of encoding, the deeper you process information, the better you will remember
what is shallow processing?
looking at a word on a page & only focusing on how the letters look (noticing the word “apple” is written in bold)
what is deep processing?
reading a sentence and thinking about the meaning of the word “apple” in the context of the sentence (the apple was red and juice) imaging the taste and texture of an apple
what is transfer-appropriate processing?
degree to which processing at encoding is relevant to retrieval
why is TAP a better improvement compared to LOP?
while LOP (levels of processing) focuses on how “deeply” information is processed. TAP goes further by specifying that the type of processing used during encoding should be relevant to the type of processing needed during retrieval for optimal recall.
what is self-reference? Give an example.
linking information to yourself
ex: the word “volleyball” -> think about the time you played on the beach w/ your friends
what is organization in terms of memory encoding? give an example.
organization: structure
ex: grouping words based on category (colors)
what is distinctiveness?
unusual information
ex: which is most likely to be remembered?
apple, orange, frog, cherry
what is visualization?
imagery
ex: cat, beach, sun
what is enactment?
performing an action
ex: to learn a new dance move, physically practicing it while actively thinking through the steps, enhancing memory through physical engagement
what is retrieval?
reminders that activate memory
ex: words, pictures, smells, states
describe the testing effect.
practicing retrieval of information improves memory
what is external memory aids?
records we create to review later, physical reminders we place in our environment
what is internal memory aids?
internal encoding strategies (for how we study, make things memorable in our minds)
what is a mnemonic technique? give an example.
tricks/mental devices to help you remember something
ex: acronyms or visualization “ROY G BIV”
what is the difference between availability & accessibility?
available: contained someplace in memory
accessibility: can be retrieved from memory
why is it difficult to know whether something is truly absent from memory or not?
can’t say for sure whether something is absent from memory
- may be available but temporarily inaccessible
-just don’t have the right cues
what are retrieval cues? give example.
reminders that activate memory
example:
- mood
- words
- pictures
- smell
*just about anything can be a retrieval cue, if the associated has been encoded.
give an example of an internal state serving as a retrieval cue.
feeling happy while listening to a song might trigger memories or other happy times in your life, where your mood acts as the internal cue to access those memories
give an example of external context serving as a retrieval cue.
walking past your old elementary school building might suddenly bring back vivid memories of your childhood classmates and experiences there, where the physical environment serves as the extrenal cue to recall those memories.
what is the outshining hypothesis?
context useful for retrieval when other cues are lacking (there’s nothing more informative)
what is the encoding specificity principle?
the more cues shared between encoding and retrieval the better, focus on what benefits retrieval -> what cues will be most effective?
what is transfer appropriate processing?
overlap between processes at encoding & retrieval is important
focus on what benefit encoding and what kind of processing will be most effective?
what are possible causes of forgetting from LTM?
- failure to encode
- failure to retrieve
- simple decay
- interference
