Unit 6 Flashcards
Memory
persistence of learning over time through the storage and retrieval of info
Encoding
processing of info into the memory system
-1st step of building a memory is sensory input
Storage
the retention of encoded info over time
-once encoded, memories are stored somewhere (usually more than 1 place) in your brain
Retrieval
process of getting info out of memory storage
-stored memories can be retrieved (with varying degrees of difficulty)
hippocampus
processes the memory and either sends it to long term storage or disposes it
-“short term memory”
flashbulb memory
a clear memory of an emotionally significant moment or event
long-term potentiation (LTP)
increase in a cells firing potential after brief,rapid stimulation
- believed to be a neural basis for learning and memory
priming
activation often unconsciously of particular associations in memory
mood-congruent memory
the tendency to recall experiences that are consistent with ones current good or bad mood
serial position effect
our tendency to recall the last and first items in a list
recency effect
tendency to recall the last item is in a list
primary effect
tendency to recall first items in a list
Atkinson + Shiffrin’s 3 stage model of memory
STAGE 1 : sensory memory
STAGE 2 : short term memory
STAGE 3 : long term memory
sensory memory
• sensory memory retention allows us to remember small, quick bits of info for a very short period of time
short term memory
• ability to hold and manipulate info over a brief period of time
- forget it can occur rapidly especially if distracted
- 5-9 items and remain in memory for about 20-30 seconds*
- increase as children get older and decreases in old age
long term memory
relatively permanent and limitless storehouse of memories
amygdala
responsible for emotional content of your memories. help store emotional memories
Karl Lashley
rats retained at least partial memory of the maze once pieces of their cortexes were cut out
Richard Thompson
complex memories are distributed while many simple reflex memories are localized
Ralph Gerard
memories seem to be electrical and physical
explicit memories
memories we try to remember
- use this throughout day
ex= remembering time of appointment or recalling event from years ago
implicit memories
those memories we form without any effort
-includes episodic memories: events of your life like an episode
- most amnesiacs still have implicit memory even if they don’t realize it
- motor or muscle memory is implicit *
rehearsal
conscious repetition of info
spacing
rehearsing info repeatedly over time
study-take a break-study…
semantic encoding
easier to remember things that have meaning
-flashbulb memories
acoustic memories
easier to remember things with sound and rhyme
visual encoding
easier to remember things we visualize
Mnemonics
strategies or shortcuts that help us remember
acronyms
organizing items by creating words or sentences from the 1st letters of the word of info to be remembered
chunking
organizing items into familiar manageable units
relearning
if you just learned something and forgot it it will be easier to learn the material a 2nd time
retrieval clues
clues that provide reminders of info that otherwise would be more difficult to remember
context effects
remember better and more accurate when in a setting that is similar to one you learned in the first time
mood congruent
what we learn in one mood we remember better in the same mood
state dependent theory
what we learn in one physical state (drunk/sober) is more easily recalled in the same state
deja vu
“already seen” (sense you been in situation before)
explanation= situationist loaded with clues that are similar to ones in memory and your brain makes similar associations between them
recall
ability to retrieve extract info learned at any earlier time
recognition
Measure of memory in which a person only needs to recognize items previously learned
absent mindedness
failure to pay attention leads to poor encoding
decay theory
Forgetting is due to normal metabolic processes that occur in brain over time
- If memories are unused over long periods of time they begin to naturally fade away
proactive interference
Occurs when something you learned earlier disrupt your ability to create a new memory
retroactive interference
occurs when new info makes it harder to recall something you learned earlier
repression
Basic defense mechanism that banishes from consciousness anxiety arousing thoughts, feelings and memories
- keeping bad memories bottled up
Tip of the tongue experience
inability to get a bit of info that your certain is stored in memory
-info was close but just out of reach
amnesia
severe memory loss
retrograde amnesia
Forget things from the past
anterograde
inability to form new memories but remember the past
alzheimer’s
as plaque build up in brain and interfere with normal transmissions, memories cannot be formed or retrieved
source confusion
True source of memory is forgotten so you create details to fill in the gap‘s
missinformation effect
existing memories can be altered if the person is exposed to missleading info
how to make memories last longer
- Focus
- Organization
- commit time
- elaborate material
- Space you’re studying
- visualize/mnemonics
- explain it to somebody
- reduce interferences
- look for clues
- spend time on the middle part
Iconic memory
momentary sensory memory of visual stimuli
-A photograph or picture memory lasting no more than a few tenths of a second
echoic memory
momentary sensory memory of auditory stimuli
-if attention is elsewhere sounds and words can still be recalled within 3 or 4 seconds
forgetting curve
a decline in memory retention in time
-curve shows how memory is lost overtime when there is no effort to retain it
method of Loci
mnemonic device to aid in memory storage and retrieval
- greek and roman orators came
up with this - used to memorize speeches
how many stages are involved in the process of memory ?
3 stages:
- encoding
- storage
- retrieval
activated memory
holds few items briefly and info is either stored or forgotten
what is the capacity of short term memory?
7 (magical number)
how long do sensory memories last?
few seconds - 10 seconds
how long does short term memories last?
20-30 seconds
how long does long term memories last?
relatively permanently
which part of the brain process new memories?
hippocampus
which part of the brain processes emotional information?
amygadla
what is the main reason we forget?
absent mindedness
what is it when info is not able to be brought from your long term memory to your short term memory to be used ?
retrieval failure
