ap psych unit 2

memory

persistence of learning over time through encoding, storage, and retrieval of information

recall

measure of memory where information learned earlier must be retrieved, as on fill in the blank questions

recognition

measure of memory where items must be identified, as on multiple choice test

relearning

measure of memory that assesses amount of time saved when learning material again

encoding

process of getting information into memory system; ex. Extracting meaning

storage

process of retaining encoded information over time

retrieval

process of getting information out of memory storage

parallel processing

processing multiple aspects of a stimulus simultaneously

sensory memory

immediate, brief recording of sensory info in memory system

short-term memory

briefly activated memory of a few items that are then stored or forgotten

long-term memory

relatively permanent and limitless archive of the memory system including skills and experiences

working memory

newer understanding of short term memory; active processing of incoming sensory info and info retrieved from long term memory

central executive

memory component that coordinates the activities of phonological loop and visuospatial sketchpad

phonological loop

memory component that briefly holds auditory information

visuospatial sketchpad

memory component that briefly holds info about appearance and location

neurogenesis

formation of new neurons

long term potentiation (LTP)

increase in nerve cell’s firing potential after brief, rapid stimulation; neural basis for learning and memory

explicit memory

retention of facts and experiences that we can consciously know and “declare”

effortful processing

encoding that requires attention and conscious effort

automatic processing

unconscious encoding of incidental information, such as space, time, frequency, and of familiar info such as sounds and smells

implicit memory

retention of learned skills or classically conditioned associations independent of conscious recollection

iconic memory

momentary sensory memory of visual stimuli; photographic memory lasting few tenths of a second

echoic memory

momentary sensory memory of auditory stimuli; if attention elsewhere, sounds and words can still be recalled within a few seconds

chunking

organizing items into familiar, manageable units; often occurs automatically

spacing effect

tendency for distributed study or practice to yield better long-term retention than is achieved through massed study or practice

testing effect

enhanced memory after retrieving, rather than simply rereading info. AKA retrieval practice effect, test-enhanced learning

shallow processing

encoding on a basic level based on structure/look of words

deep processing

encoding semantically, based on meaning of words; tends to yield best retention

semantic memory

explicit memory of facts and general knowledge; one of our two conscious memory systems

episodic memory

explicit memory of personally experienced events; one of our two conscious memory systems

hippocampus

neural center in limbic system; helps process explicit memories for storage

memory consolidation

neural storage of a LTM

flashbulb memory

clear memory of an emotionally significant moment or event

priming

activation, often unconsciously, of particular associations in memory

encoding specificity principle

idea that cues and contexts specific to particular memory will be most effective in helping recall

mood-congruent memory

tendency to recall experiences that are consistent with one’s current good or bad mood

serial position effect

tendency to recall best the last items in a list initially and first items after a delay

interleaving

a retrieval practice strategy that involves mixing study of different topics

anterograde amnesia

inability to form new memories

reterograde amnesia

inability to remember info from past

proactive interference

forward-acting disruptive effect of older learning on recall of new info

retroactive interference

backward-acting disruptive effect of newer learning on recall of old info

repressions

in psychoanalytic theory, basic defense mechanism that banishes from consciousness anxiety arousing thoughts, feelings, and memories

reconsolidation

process where previously stored memories, when retrieved, are potentially altered before being stored again

misinformation effect

occurs when a memory has been corrupted by misleading info

source amnesia

faulty memory for how, when, where info learned or imagined; is at the heart of many false memories

deja vu

eerie sense that feeling has been experienced before, cues from current situation may trigger retrieval of earlier experience