AP Psych - Memory

Memory

Information that persists over time, acquired through various experiences; can be stored and retrieved later on

Time

We unintentionally note the events that take place in a day

Frequency

We often pay attention to how often something happens to us

Effortful Processing

Encoding that requires conscious effort to store information into long-term memory

Rehearsal

Effortful learning usually requires rehearsal through conscious repetition / combining rehearsal with significance

Semantic encoding

Processing the meaning of verbal information by associating with similar information - encoding with meaning

Visual encoding

Encode by visuals

Tactile Encoding

Encoding by touch

Sensory memory

the earliest part of the memory process, in which the senses take in and very briefly hold information (five senses)

Short-term memory

Holds and processes information while using it/in the moment - holds limited amount of information

Working memory

Active maintenance of information in short-term storage to be stored in long-term memory

Long-term memory

Unlimited capacity storage for information, experiences, and skills over extended periods

Encoding

getting information into memory

Storage

retaining information over time

Retrieval

getting information that is in storage into a form that can be used

Automatic Processing

Information gathered is done without any conscious effort

Spatial Awareness

While reading a textbook, you automatically encode the place of a picture on a page.

When you open the page again, you won't be surprised to see it. You know there is a picture there, but you might not remember what it is

Mnemonics

memory aids

Chunking

Organizes information into familiar manageable units, acronyms

Peg-Word System

associates numbers with items that rhyme with or resemble the numbers

hierarchy

Complex information broken down into broad concepts and further subdivided into categories and subcategories.

Spacing Effect

We retain information better when we rehearse over time.

Serial Position Effect

When your recall is better for first and last items on a list, but poor for middle items.

Explicit memory

Facts and experiences that one can consciously know and declare

Implicit memory

Memories we don't deliberately remember or reflect on consciously

episodic memory

Memories of personally experienced events (explicit)

semantic memory

Memories of general factual knowledge (facts, concepts, general knowledge - explicit)

procedural memory

Memories that relate to skills or habits (implicit)

prospective memory

memories used for things in the future (mental reminders - can be event based or time based)

The factors that can influence memory

Heightened emotions (stress-related) make stronger memories

flashbulb memories

a clear memory of an emotionally significant moment or event

Hippocampus

A neutral center in the limbic system that processes explicit memories

Anterograde Amnesia

You can maintain all memories but you're unable to make or maintain new memories

retrograde amnesia

An inability to retrieve information from one's past

Retrieval Cues

Memories are held in storage by a web of associations. These associations are like anchors that help retrieve memory

Priming

the activation, often unconsciously, of particular associations in memory

context effects on memory

context such as environment, mood, or influence of chemicals can impact how easily something is recalled from memory

deja vu

"I've experienced this before." Cues from the current situation may subconsciously trigger retrieval of an earlier experience.

state-dependent memory

emotions and current moods serve as retrieval cues for our memories

Forgetting

the inability to retrieve memory from long-term storage

Encoding Failure

failure to process information into memory

Storage Decay

poor durability of stored memories leads to their decay

Retrieval Failure

although the information is retained in the memory store, it cannot be accessed

Proactive Interference

Information already learn may interfere with new information/hinders the retrieval of new information

retroactive interference

Information of new information hinders the retreival of old information

motivated forgetting

failure to retrieve negative memories

Repression

A defense mechanism that banishes anxiety-arousing thoughts, feelings, and memories from consciousness

misinformation effect

incorporating misleading information into one's memory of an event

Source Amnesia

attributing to the wrong source an event we have experienced, heard about, read about, or imagined

Constructed Memories

Loftus shows that if false memories are implanted, the brain will fabricate their memories

Improving Memory Techniques

- Repeated repetition

- More time rehearsing

- Make material personally meaningful

- Use mnemonic devices

- Activate retrieval cues

- Recall memories when fresh

- Minimize interference

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