Video Module 14: Memory Retrieval Flashcards
How is memory like a network of information?
Ideas and concepts can be thought of as nodes in a memory network. When nodes are activated together, they form links. Spreading activation theory suggests that activation of one node spreads to all connected nodes. The strength of the activation decreases as it gets farther from the original node.
retrieval cues
pieces of information that help us locate a stored memory
- retrieval cues rely on spreading activation to create retrieval pathways
subthreshold activation
when a node in our memory is not activated, yet it receives activation just from one related node being activated
- for example, hearing the word “yellow” may not make you think of cheese automatically, however the node for “cheese” still receives some level of activation
How does the context which we encode information in help retrieval of that information?
Even if you are not aware, the setting in which you learn something or retrieve something will also be encoded on some level. The more similar the retrieval situation to the encoding situation, the easier and more successful retrieval will be.
Context includes:
- odors, sounds, lighting, time of day
- internal mental state
- type of processing
encoding specificity
the idea that we learn and encode ideas in a specific context; we encode the context and meaning of abstract info as we encode the info itself
context reinstatement
replicating the context by physically replicating it or imagining being in that specific context in order to aid memory recall
- studies show that mental reinstatement can be just as effective as physical reinstatement, however the advantage of physical reinstatement increases when mental reinstatement becomes more difficult
state-dependent memory
the idea that retrieval cues for information can be related to your mental or emotional state
- mental state: drunk, high, sober, tired, etc.
- emotional state: angry, sad, happy, etc.
What is the spacing effect? How does it help us memorize information?
The spacing effect is the phenomenon in which people have an easier time remembering information in the long-run when they rehearse it over a long period of time with breaks in between, than if they rehearse it back-to-back over a short period of time before recall. Massed study is only advantageous if recalling the information is necessary immediately after studying. If there is a long delay following the study period, spaced studying is advantageous.
Why is spaced study effective?
Spaced study allows us to build more retrieval cues. You are more likely to be in a different context for each study session if you space them out, versus if you mass your study sessions together. More retrieval cues = more opportunity to match the context at the retrieval time.
What is the testing effect? How does it boost our memory of material?
The testing effect is a phenomenon in which people are better at recalling information that they are forced to retrieve repeatedly, such as in a testing environment. Being tested for info boosts memory because it helps us create effective mental routes for recovering information, strengthens the memory trace of information, and weaves new contextual details into a memory.
