WSC Science Flashcards
Key terms
Hippocampus
The elongated ridges on the floor of each lateral ventricle (the center of emotion and memory)
Lateral Ventricle
The center of each cerebral hemisphere in the brain
Amygdala
A mass of grey matter in each cerebral hemisphere which helps experience emotions
Cerebellum
The part of the brain at the back of the skull in vertebrates which coordinates and regulates muscular activity
Acetylcholine
A compound that occurs throughout the nervous system, a neurotransmitter
Neuroplasticity
The ability of the brain to form and also reorganize synaptic connections - usually in response to learning, experience or injury.
Neurons
A specialized cell that transmits nerve impulses
Nervous System
The network of nerve cells that transmit nerve impulses around the body
Explicit memory
When you consciously remember a memory
Implicit memory
Implicit memory uses experiences you’ve had before to remember things without you actually recalling them - when you unconsciously remember a memory.
Declarative memory
Memory of facts and events
Procedural memory
Part of the long-term memory that focuses on remembering how to do things (aka motor skills), including walking, talking and reading (DON’T CONFUSE WITH Hyperthymestic memory)
Semantic Memory
Memory that doesn’t come from personal experience - like colour names and basic facts
Episodic Memory
When a person remembers something their own way, a memory unique to them. It will be different to another person’s recollection.
Eidectic memory
Photographic memory (the ability to vividly recall images from memory after only a few instances of exposure with high precision)
Hyperthymestic memory
A condition in which an individual possesses a superior autobiographical memory, meaning he or she can recall the vast majority of personal experiences and events in his or her life - even ones that happened years ago. It’s also known as autobiographical memory.
Reconstructive memory
When remembering is influenced by various other cognitive processes including perception, imagination, semantic memory and beliefs, amongst others. A memory is ‘reconstructed’, as implied by the name.
Collective memory
When a collection of people remember a memory together
Flashbulb memory
When you remember a memory vividly - like a flashbulb was turned on in your head. It can sometimes happen when someone says something and the memory comes back to you - this kind of memory is usually surprising.
Source confusion
When someone remembers something someone else said or did as their own memory, even though they were not present at the event
Overt rehearsal
Overt rehearsal is when your body rehearses for your external improvements (like facing a mirror and practicing how to eat properly).
Covert rehearsal
Covert rehearsal is when you rehearse your internal improvement.