AP Psychology Vocabulary 2b (Unit 2 | Cognition)

Explicit Memory

memory of facts and experiences that one can consciously know and "declare." (Also called declarative memory.)

Episodic Memory

A category of long-term memory that involves the recollection of specific events, situations and experiences.

Semantic Memory

a network of associated facts and concepts that make up our general knowledge of the world

Implicit Memory

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

Procedural Memory

the gradual acquisition of skills as a result of practice, or "knowing how" to do things

Prospective Memory

remembering to do something at some future time

Long-Term Potentiation (LTP)

an increase in a synapse's firing potential after brief, rapid stimulation. Believed to be a neural basis for learning and memory.

Working Memory

A newer understanding of short-term memory that involves conscious, active processing of incoming auditory and visual-spatial information, and of information retrieved from long-term memory.

Visuospatial Sketchpad

A component of working memory where we create mental images to remember visual information

Long-Term Memory

the relatively permanent and limitless storehouse of the memory system. Includes knowledge, skills, and experiences.

Multi-Store Model

three stage processing model of memory. 1. sensory 2. short term 3. long term

Sensory Memory

the immediate, very brief recording of sensory information in the memory system

Central Executive

The part of working memory that is responsible for monitoring and directing attention and other mental resources.

Phonological Loop

the part of working memory that holds and processes verbal and auditory information

Iconic Memory

a momentary sensory memory of visual stimuli; a photographic or picture-image memory lasting no more than a few seconds

Echoic Memory

a momentary sensory memory of auditory stimuli; if attention is elsewhere, sounds and words can still be recalled within 3 or 4 seconds

Shallow Processing

An approach to memorization that involves focusing on the superficial characteristics of the stimulus, such as the sound of a word or the typeface in which it's printed.

Deep Processing

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

Automatic Processing

unconscious encoding of informational details like time, space, frequency, and the meaning of words (little to no effort required)

Effortful Processing

encoding that requires attention and conscious effort

Encoding

the processing of information into the memory system—for example, by extracting meaning.

Storing

the processing of retaining encoded information over time

Retrieval

the process of getting information out of memory storage

Structural Processing

remember the physical quality of the word (how the word is spelled)

Phonemic Processing

when we encode its sound (words based on the way they sound)

Semantic Processing

Words are encoded by their meaning, which allows them to be placed directly in our semantic networks.

Encode

to express or emit nonverbal behavior, such as smiling or patting someone on the back

Mnemonic Devices

memory aids, especially those techniques that use vivid imagery and organizational devices

Method of Loci

A mnemonic technique that involves associating items on a list with a sequence of familiar physical locations

Chunking

Combining small pieces of information into larger clusters or chunks that are more easily held in short-term memory.

Categories

networks of associated memories that have features in common with each other

Hierarchies

composing/organizing information in a few broad concepts divided and subdivided into narrower concepts and facts

The Spacing Effect

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

Massed Practice

A self-directed behavior change technique in which the person forces himself to perform an undesired behavior (e.g., a compulsive ritual) repeatedly, which sometimes decreases the future frequency of the behavior. (CRAMMING)

Distributed Practice

Technique in which items to be learned are repeated at intervals over a period of time.

Serial Position Effect

our tendency to recall best the last and first items in a list

Primacy Effect

tendency to remember information at the beginning of a body of information better than the information that follows

Recency Effect

tendency to remember words at the end of a list especially well

Short-Term Memory

activated memory that holds a few items briefly, such as the seven digits of a phone number while dialing, before the information is stored or forgotten

Maintenance Rehearsal

A system for remembering involving repeating information to oneself without attempting to find meaning in it

Elaborative Rehearsal

A memory technique that involves thinking about the meaning of the term to be remembered, as opposed to simply repeating the word to yourself over and over.

Autobiographical Memory

a method of transferring information from STM into LTM by making that information meaningful in some way

Retrograde Amnesia

loss of memory from the point of some injury or trauma backwards, or loss of memory for the past

Anterograde Amnesia

the inability to transfer new information from the short-term store into the long-term store

Alzheimer's Disease

a brain disorder that gradually destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually the ability to perform daily tasks

Infantile Amnesia

inability of adults to remember personal experiences that took place before an early age

proactive interference

(forward acting) old memories intefere with new ones

retroactive inteference

(backward acting) new memories disrupt/interfere with old