Psych Ch 8: Memory

explicit memory

conscious, intentional recollection of an event or item in memory. AKA declarative memory

recall

the ability to retrieve and reproduce from memory previously encountered material

recognition

the ability to identify previously encountered material

implicit memory

unconscious retention in memory, as evidenced by the effect of a previous experience or previously encountered information on current thoughts or actions. associated with operating on auto-pilot. AKA non-declarative memory. ex: classical/operant conditioning, priming

priming

a method for measuring implicit memory in which a person reads or listens to information and is later tested to see whether it affects performance on another type of task

What happens in information-processing models of memory?

we encode information (convert it to a form that the brain can process and use), store the information (retain it over time), and retrieve the information (recover it for later use)

The three-box model’s 3 memory storage systems:

sensory register: retains incoming sensory information for a second or two

working memory: keeps available a limited amount of information for up to 30 seconds unless a conscious effort is made to keep it there longer

Long-term memory: accounts for longer storage, from just a few minutes to as long as multiple decades

parallel distributed processing (PDP) model:

a model of memory in which knowledge is represented as connections among thousands of interacting processing units all operating at the same time. AKA connectionist model. think more of a spider web than a linear flow chart (challenges three-box model)

sensory register

memory system that momentarily preserves sensory information

working memory

form of short-term memory that actively retains information for brief periods (up to 30 sec) and keeps it available for current use, the material is no longer an exact sensory image but rather is an encoding of one

chunk

a meaningful unit of information, may be composed of smaller units. it’s the reason/way that working memory works

How can the working memory help identify stimuli more easily?

Information transferred from the sensory register to working memory can be compared with information already contained in long-term memory; if it matches, the stimulus can be identified more easily

long-term memory

the memory system involved in the storage of information over long durations

semantic categories

groups that information/terms are stored into, like furniture, fruit

differentiate between explicit and implicit memory:

explicit = facts and events; implicit = how to do something

Two varieties of explicit memory:

Semantic memories: memories of general knowledge including facts, rules, concepts

Episodic memories: memories of personally experienced events and the context in which they occurred

serial-position effect

tendency for people to be able to recall the items at the beginning (primacy effect) & end (recency effect) of a list better

biology of working memory:

changes within neurons temporarily alter their ability to release neurotransmitters

biology of long-term memory and long-term potentiation:

lasting structural changes in the brain occur. long-term potentiation: a long-lasting increase in the strength of synaptic responsiveness

memories must undergo a period of ____ before they ____

consolidation; solidify

Which part of the brain is critical to the formation of long-term explicit memories?

the hippocampus

Which parts of the brain are critical to the formation and retention of implicit memories?

the cerebellum and striatum

True or false: different pieces of information about the same thing or event are processed and stored in the same location of the brain

False

flashbulb memories

vivid memories of emotional events

How do hormone levels contribute to the retention of information?

Moderate hormone levels are optimal for learning new tasks

mnemonic

strategies and tricks for improving memory

effortful encoding

information that you have to work hard to retain

maintenance rehearsal

rote repetition of information in order to maintain its availability in memory

elaborative rehearsal

making new information more memorable by associating it with old information

deep processing

in the encoding of information, the processing of meaning rather than simply the physical or sensory features of a stimulus

practicing retrieval (<,>,=) studying

practicing retrieval > studying

Information will rapidly fade from working memory unless we engage in __________

rehearsal

decay theory

the idea that info in memory eventually disappears if it’s not accessed

replacement theory

new information entering memory can wipe out old information

retroactive interference

forgetting that occurs when recently learned material interferes with the ability to remember similar material learned previously

proactive interference

when old information interferes with your ability to remember new information

cue-dependent forgetting

type of forgetting that occurs when lacking sufficient retrieval cues

state-dependent memory

the tendency to remember something when in the same physical or mental state as during the initial learning or experience

mood-congruent memory

the tendency to remember experiences that are consistent with one’s current mood, and overlook or forget experiences that are not

childhood amnesia & its explanations

the inability to remember events and experiences that occurred during the first two or three years of life. occurs due to lack of biological, cognitive, and social development when young

psychogenic amnesia

amnesia due to psychological reasons such as embarrassment, guilt, disappointment, or emotional shock

repression

involuntary pushing of upsetting or threatening information into the unconscious

traumatic amnesia

theory that memories associated with trauma can be immune to distortion; generally viewed skeptically