Unit 7A: Memory

Question 1

Learning that has persisted over time

Answer 1

Memory

Question 2

The process of placing information into our brain

Answer 2

encoding

Question 3

The process of retaining information in our brain

Answer 3

storage

Question 4

The process of getting information out of memory storage

Answer 4

Retrieval

Question 5

Very brief storage of information in the brain (4 second maximum for auditory, 1/2 second for visual)

Answer 5

Sensory memory

Question 6

Information that is stored in the mind for 20-30 seconds, then is forgotten (unless it is stored in long-term memory)

Answer 6

Short-term memory

Question 7

Information that is encoded deeply into the brain for future retrieval, minutes or decades later.

Answer 7

Long-term memory

Question 8

Information taken from long-term memory that is immediately available and active (like RAM in a computer)

Answer 8

Working memory

Question 9

The process of doing many mental tasks at once

Answer 9

Parallel processing

Question 10

Unconscious problem solving (e.g. holding a cup of coffee so that it doesn’t spill while talking)

Answer 10

Automatic processing

Question 11

Information that is purposefully placed into long-term memory

Answer 11

Effortful processing

Question 12

Repeating information over and over in an effort to encode it into long-term memory

Answer 12

Rehearsal

Question 13

Distributed study or practice are better for long-term memory encoding than “cramming”

Answer 13

Spacing effect

Question 14

We remember the first and last items in a list better than we remember the middle items

Answer 14

Serial position effect

Question 15

The encoding of visual stimuli into long-term memory

Answer 15

visual encoding

Question 16

The encoding of auditory stimuli into long-term memory (including words or sounds)

Answer 16

acoustic encoding

Question 17

The encoding of meaning into long-term memory

Answer 17

semantic encoding

Question 18

Place the following three types of encoding in order from most efficient to least efficient for effortful encoding

Answer 18

1. Semantic encoding (“it’s a type of…”)
2. Acoustic encoding (“It rhymes with…”)
3. Visual encoding (It’s bolded or italicized)

Question 19

Creating mental pictures of an item; greatly helps long-term memory encoding

Answer 19

Imagery

Question 20

Organizational devices designed to aid imagery in the encoding of information to long-term memory

Answer 20

Mnemonics

Question 21

The strengthening of neural connections which provides a basis for learning

Answer 21

Long-term potentiation

Question 22

A very clear memory of an emotionally significant event

Answer 22

Flashbulb memory

Question 23

The loss of memory

Answer 23

amnesia

Question 24

Memory of how we do things (e.g. riding a bike, playing an instrument)

Answer 24

Implicit memory (aka nondeclarative memory)

Question 25

Memory of facts and experiences (e.g. The capital of Maine)

Answer 25

Explicit memory (aka declarative memory)

Question 26

Neural center located in the limbic system that processes explicit memories for storage.

Answer 26

Hippocampus

Question 27

Retrieving information not in conscious awareness

Answer 27

Recall

Question 28

A measure of the amount of time saved when learning information a second time

Answer 28

Relearning

Question 29

Any object, person or experience that activates an association to a stored memory

Answer 29

Priming

Question 30

The feeling that you’ve experienced something before, when you have not

Answer 30

Deja Vu

Question 31

Humans have a tendency only to recall memories that are consistent with their current mood

Answer 31

Mood-congruent

Question 32

Disruption of current memory storage because of prior learning

Answer 32

Proactive interference

Question 33

Disruption of old memory recall because of new learning

Answer 33

Retroactive interference

Question 34

The unconscious mind’s forgetting of emotionally damaging experiences to shield ourselves from them.

Answer 34

Repression

Question 35

Misleading information can influence a person’s memory of an event

Answer 35

Misinformation Effect

Question 36

Remembering information but attributing it to the wrong source

Answer 36

Source amnesia

Question 37

The region of the brain that processes implicit memories for storage

Answer 37

Cerebellum

Question 38

The tendency to remember the first items in a list

Answer 38

Primacy Effect

Question 39

The tendency to remember only the most recent (last) items in a list

Answer 39

Recency Effect