Unit 6: Cognition Flashcards
working memory
a newer understanding of short term memory that focuses on consciousness and retrieval from long term memory
explicit memory
facts and experiences (declarative memory)
implicit memory
retention independent of conscious recollection (nondeclarative memory)
iconic memory
momentary sensory memory of visual stimuli
echoic memory
momentary sensory memory of auditory stimuli
semantic memory
common knowledge
procedural memory
aids performance of tasks
episodic memory
recollection of events
spatial memory
information about the environment
parallel processing
the processing of many aspects of a problem simultaneously
effortful processing
encoding that requires attention/conscious effort
automatic processing
the unconscious encoding of identical information such as space, time and frequency of well-learned words and meanings
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 best retention
encoding
processing of information into the memory system by extracting the meaning
storage
process of retaining encoded information
retrieval
process of getting information out of memory storage
chunking
organizing items into familiar, manageable units; often occurs automatically
spacing effect
tendency for distributed study or practice to yield better long-term retention than is achieved through massed practice
testing effect
enhanced memory after retrieving, rather than simply rereading information
schema theory
we have thought patterns that categorize information in our brains
anterograde amnesia
a person is not able to create new memories after a traumatic event
retrograde amnesia
a person is not able to remember events after something traumatic has occurred
proactive interference
old learning disrupts the learning of new information
retroactive interference
new information disrupts the recalling of old information
repression
excluding stressful memories or thoughts from our conscious minds
decay
long term memories fade over time
prototype
an example of something within a category that our brains have chosen for us
convergent thinking
a type of thinking that narrows down all of the possibilities to find the best one
divergent thinking
thinking of as many solutions to a problem as possible
representative heuristic
bias; stereotype; categorizing a situation based on a previous experience
availability heuristic
mental shortcut; make judgements about probability based on the speed of examples in your mind
anchoring bias
expectations prevent us from accepting new information
algorithm
using all possible solutions to get a correct response
confirmation bias
interpreting new information as confirmation for your beliefs
