PSY 324 - Unit 7 - Memory Systems - Stages

Exam 2 - Spring 2025

acoustic encoding

remembering things based on how it sounds in short term memory

context effects

the environment in which we encode memory seems to affect how effectively we encode that information

interference

doesn’t involve memories being permanently lost, one memory gets in the way of the other (proactive and retroactive)

decay

memory is a use it or lose it process, memory eventually fades because it's been a long time

overwriting

combines decay and interference, memories are being overwritten by other memories

primacy effect

if we’re asked to memorize a list of items, we have an advantage for the first or first few items

recency effect

advantage for remembering the last or last few items

semantic encoding

encoding information based on its meaning, or to what category it belongs

serial position effect

primacy and recency effects; the position of an item on a list affects how easily we remember it 

sensory memory

first in the stages; duration is up to 2-3 seconds; 

short term memory limitations (how long)

second in the stages; duration is up to 20-30 seconds

short term memory limitations (how much)

 7 +- 2 chunks

phonological loop

acoustic information, sound

visuospatial sketchpad

our ability to manipulate visual information in the 20 to 30 seconds of short term memory

central executive

delegates what our memory pays attention to

components for working memory

phonological loop, visuospatial sketchpad, central executive

long term memory

third in stages; duration is 31 seconds onward 

conrad study

acoustic encoding

vickens study

semantic encoding 

baddley study

context effects 

baddeley & hitch study

working memory & its components