Learning and Memory

Flashcards covering key vocabulary terms and definitions from the lecture notes on learning and memory.

Learning

A change in behavior resulting from experience; this change can be long-lasting, but may or may not be permanent.

Classical Conditioning

A type of behavioral learning where an association is made between a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response.

Unconditioned Stimulus (US)

A stimulus that automatically triggers a response.

Unconditioned Response (UR)

An automatic response that occurs without thought when an unconditioned stimulus is present.

Neutral Stimulus (NS)

A stimulus that doesn't initially trigger a response on its own.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

A stimulus that was once neutral but now leads to a response after being associated with an unconditioned stimulus.

Conditioned Response (CR)

A learned response to a previously neutral stimulus.

Operant Conditioning

A method of learning that employs rewards and punishments for behavior, associating a behavior with its consequence.

Positive Reinforcement

The addition of a favorable event or outcome after a behavior to strengthen that behavior.

Negative Reinforcement

The removal of an unfavorable event or outcome after a behavior to strengthen that behavior.

Positive Punishment

The presentation of an unfavorable event or outcome in order to weaken the response it follows.

Negative Punishment

The removal of a favorable event or outcome after a behavior occurs.

Observational Learning

Learning that occurs through observing, imitating, and modeling others.

Attention

Focusing on a model and the behavior being demonstrated.

Retention

Storing information so that it can be recalled later.

Reproduction

Performing the behavior that was observed.

Motivation

Being motivated to imitate the observed behavior, often influenced by reinforcement and punishment.

Memory

The psychological processes of acquiring, storing, retaining, and retrieving information.

Encoding

The initial processing of information entering the memory system.

Consolidation

Stabilizing and organizing encoded information for long-term storage.

Storage

Keeping information in memory for later access.

Retrieval

Recalling or accessing stored information when needed.

Sensory Memory

A very brief memory that retains impressions of sensory information after the original stimulus has ceased.

Echoic Memory

Auditory sensory memory; a very brief memory of sound.

Iconic Memory

Visual sensory memory; a very brief image.

Haptic Memory

Tactile sensory memory; a very brief memory of a touch.

Short-Term Memory

The capacity to store a small amount of information in the mind and keep it readily available for a short period of time.

Long-Term Memory

The transfer of information from short-term memory into long-term storage in order to create enduring memories.

Explicit Memory

Memories that are available in consciousness.

Episodic Memory

Memories from an individual’s life events and experiences.

Semantic Memory

Factual and conceptual knowledge people have about the world.

Implicit Memory

Memories that are mostly unconscious.

Procedural Memory

Memories of body movement and how to use objects in the environment.

Forgetting

The loss or change in information that was previously stored in short-term or long-term memory.

Decay Theory

The idea that memory traces fade and disappear over time if not retrieved or rehearsed.

Interference

When some memories compete and interfere with other memories.

Proactive Interference

The interference of prior learning on the recall of new information.

Retroactive Interference

The interference of new learning on the recall of old information.

Encoding Failure

When information never made it into long-term memory in the first place.

Motivated Forgetting

Actively working to forget memories, especially those of traumatic or disturbing events or experiences.

Suppression

Consciously trying to forget or not think about painful or unwanted thoughts.

Repression

Unconsciously blocking painful or unwanted thoughts.