Unit 7: Part 1 Flashcards
Memory
The persistence of learning over time through the encoding, storage, and retrieval of information
Recall
A measure of memory in which the person must retrieve information learned earlier, as in a fill-in-the-blank test
Recognition
A measure of memory in which the person identifies items previously learned, as on a multiple choice test
Relearning
A measure of memory that accesses the amount of time saved when learning material again
Hermann Ebbinghaus
He is a memory researcher famous for designing the retention curve (as rehearsal time increases; relearning time decreases)
Encoding
The process of getting information into the memory system
Storage
The process of retaining encoded information over time
Retrieval
The process of getting information out of memory storage
Parallel processing
Processing many aspects of a problem simultaneously; the brain’s natural mode of information processing for many functions
Sensory memory
The immediate, very brief recording of sensory information in memory system
Short-term memory
Activated memory that holds a few items briefly before the information is stored or forgotten
Long-term memory
The relatively permanent and limitless storehouse of the memory system
Working memory
A newer understanding of short term memory that’s adds conscious, active processing of incoming auditory and visual information and information retrieved from the long term memory
Explicit memory (declarative memory)
The retention of facts and experiences from long term memory that one consciously knows and “declares”
Effortful processing
Encoding that requires attention and conscious effort
Automatic processing
Unconscious encoding of incidental information, such as space, time, and frequency and of well learned information such as word meaning
Implicit memory (procedural memory)
Retention of learned skills of classically conditioned associations in long term memory independent of conscious recollection
Iconic memory
A momentary sensory memory of visual stimuli; a picture image lasting no more than a few tenths of a second
Echoic memory
A momentary sensory memory of auditory stimuli; if attention is elsewhere, sounds and words can still be recalled within 3-4 seconds
George Miller
Proposed that we can store (7 +- 2 items) in short term memory
Chunking
Organizing items into familiar, manageable units, often occur automatically
Mnemonics
Memory aids, especially those techniques that use vivid imagery and organizational devices
Spacing effect
Tendency for distributed study practice to yield better long-term retention than is achieved through mass study or practice
Testing effect
Enhanced memory after retrieving rather than rereading information (MC questions at end of each module)
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
Semantic memory
Explicit memory of facts and general knowledge
Episodic memory
Explicit memory of personally experienced events
Hippocampus
A neural center located in limbic system; helps process for storage explicit memories (conscious memories of facts and events)
Memory consolidation
The neural storage of long-term memory
Flashbulb memory
Clear, sustained long-term memory of an emotionally significant moment or event
Long-term potentiation
An increase in a cells firing potential after a brief, rapid stimulation; a neural basis for learning and memory
Priming
The activation, often unconsciously, of certain associations thus predisposing one’s perceptions, memories, or responses
Encoding specifically principle
The idea that clues and context specific to a particular memory will be most effective in helping us recall it
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 best the last (recency effect) and first (primary effect) items in a list
