AP Psych 2.2-2.4 vocab

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering memory systems, working memory components, processing levels, and encoding strategies as outlined in AP Psychology Units $$2.3$$ and $$2.4$$.

Memory

The mental system that encodes, stores, and retrieves information. Example: Remembering your WiFi password.

Explicit Memory

Conscious, intentional recollection of facts or experiences. Example: Recalling the date of the AP exam.

Episodic Memory

Explicit memories of personal experiences. Example: Remembering your last birthday party.

Semantic Memory

Explicit memories of facts and general knowledge. Example: Knowing that Houston is in Texas.

Implicit Memory

Unconscious memories for skills and automatic processes. Example: Riding a bike.

Procedural Memory

Implicit memory for motor skills and habits. Example: Typing on a keyboard.

Prospective Memory

Remembering to perform a future action. Example: Taking medicine at $8\,\text{PM}$.

Neurogenesis

Creation of new neurons in the brain. Example: Exercise increases neurogenesis in the hippocampus.

Long-Term Potentiation (LTP)

Strengthening of neural pathways through repeated activation. Example: Practicing vocab daily strengthens memory.

Working Memory

Short-term system that holds and manipulates information. Example: Doing mental math.

Visuospatial Sketchpad

Working memory system for visual/spatial information. Example: Imagining the route to school.

Central Executive

Directs attention and manages working memory systems. Example: Focusing on a lecture while ignoring noise.

Phonological Loop

Working memory system for verbal/auditory information. Example: Repeating a phone number in your head.

Multi-Store Model

Memory flows from $\text{sensory} \rightarrow \text{short-term} \rightarrow \text{long-term}$. Example: Seeing a word, repeating it, remembering it later.

Sensory Memory

Brief storage of sensory information. Example: Seeing an image for half a second.

Iconic Memory

Visual sensory memory. Example: The afterimage when you look away from a bright screen.

Echoic Memory

Auditory sensory memory. Example: Saying “What?” then realizing you heard the question.

Shallow Processing

Encoding based on surface features. Example: Memorizing how a word looks.

Deep Processing

Encoding based on meaning. Example: Connecting a vocab word to a personal example.

Automatic Processing

Encoding without effort. Example: Remembering where snacks are stored.

Effortful Processing

Encoding that requires attention. Example: Studying for a chemistry test.

Encoding

Getting information into memory. Example: Rewriting notes.

Storing

Keeping information in memory. Example: Remembering vocab weeks later.

Retrieval

Bringing stored information back out. Example: Answering a test question.

Encode

Convert information into a memory. Example: Turning a lecture into notes.

Mnemonic Devices

Memory aids using patterns or associations. Example: “HOMES” for the Great Lakes.

Method of Loci

Mnemonic using familiar locations. Example: Imagining vocab words placed around your house.

Chunking

Grouping information into meaningful units. Example: Splitting a phone number into chunks.

Categories

Organizing information by type. Example: Grouping animals into mammals, reptiles, birds.

Hierarchies

Organizing information from $\text{broad} \rightarrow \text{specific}$. Example: $\text{Memory} \rightarrow \text{long-term} \rightarrow \text{explicit} \rightarrow \text{semantic}$.

Spacing Effect

Distributed practice improves retention. Example: Studying $10\,\text{minutes}$ a day.

Massed Practice

Cramming all study at once. Example: Studying $3\,\text{hours}$ straight.

Distributed Practice

Spreading study over time. Example: Reviewing notes daily.

Serial Position Effect

Remembering first and last items best. Example: Grocery list recall.

Primacy Effect

Better recall for first items. Example: First vocab word remembered.

Recency Effect

Better recall for last items. Example: Last vocab word remembered.