7.5 Serial Position Effect and Memory Processes

Flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture on the serial position effect and memory processes, including definitions and explanations related to short term and long term memory.

Serial Position Effect

A phenomenon where items at the beginning and end of a list are more easily remembered than those in the middle.

Primacy Effect

The tendency to remember the first items in a list better due to increased rehearsal and access to long term memory.

Recency Effect

The tendency to remember the last items in a list better because they are still present in short term memory.

Short Term Memory

A type of memory that temporarily holds information with a limited capacity, typically lasting for a few seconds to a minute.

Long Term Memory

A type of memory that is used for storing information over an extended period, usually for days, months, or years.

Proactive Interference

A situation where old information interferes with the ability to remember new information.

Retroactive Interference

A situation where new information interferes with the ability to recall old information.

Hippocampus

A brain structure crucial for the formation of long term memories and associated with the primacy effect.

Sensory Areas

Brain regions activated during the recall of more recent items in a list, associated with the recency effect.

Memory Recall Delay

When participants must wait before recalling information, affecting their ability to access recency effects.