Psych Exam 2

What is anterograde amnesia?

inability to form and encode new memories

What is retrograde amnesia?

inability to recall previously encoded information

What is context-dependent memory?

When a person is in the same contact where the information was learned. The environment provides cues that aid access to the information

What is state-dependent memory?

Like the environment, when our INTERNAL states are the same during both encoding and retrieval, the situation can provide cues that enhance memory

What is retroactive interference?

When access to OLDER memories is impaired by newer memories

What is proactive interference?

When access to NEWER memories is impaired by older memories

Encoding

the processing of information into the memory system.

Storage

the retention of encoded information over time.

Retrieval

the process of getting information out of memory storage when it is needed

What is procedural memory?

a type of implicit memory that involves motor skills and behavioral habits

What is generalization?

Learning that occurs when stimuli that are similar but not identical to the conditioned stimulus produce the conditioned response

What is discrimination?

A differentiation between two similar stimuli when only one of them is consistently associated with the unconditioned stimulus

Unconditioned Stimulus (US)

A stimulus that naturally elects a response without any prior learning (EX: Food)

Unconditioned Response (UR)

A response that does not have to be learned, such as a reflex (EX: Salivation)

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

A stimulus that elicits a response only AFTER learning has taken place

Conditioned Response (CR)

a response to a conditioned stimulus; a response that has been learned

What is elaborative rehearsal?

Using working memory processes to think about how new information relates to ourselves or our prior knowledge (semantic information); provides deeper encoding of information for more successful long-term storage.

What is maintenance rehearsal?

Using working memory processes to repeat information based on how it sounds (auditory information); provides only shallow encoding of information and less successful long-term storage.

What are slow fibers?

Sensory receptors that slowly convey intense sensory input to the brain, where it is perceived as chronic, dull, steady pain (unmyelinated fibers)

What are fast fibers?

Sensory receptors that quickly convey intense sensory input to the brain, where it is perceived as sharp, immediate pain (myelinated fibers)

What is the shelf life for sensory memory?

Maintain 12 items in storage for about one-third of a second

What is the filter theory?

a theory that attempts to explain how we selectively attend to the most important information

What are mirror neurons/why are they important?

Mirror neurons are firing every time you watch another person engaging in an action. They are also firing in the other person's brain. Scientists are still debating their exact function.

fixed-interval schedule (FI)

reinforcing the occurrence of a particular behavior after a predetermined amount of time since the last reward (EX: Paycheck)

variable-interval schedule (VI)

reinforcing the occurrence of a particular behavior after an unpredictable and varying amount of time since the last reward (EX: Pop quiz)

fixed-ratio schedule (FR)

reinforcing a particular behavior after that behavior has occurred a predetermined number of times (EX: Paid by the completed task)

Variable-ratio schedule (VR)

reinforcing a particular behavior after the behavior has occurred an unpredictable and varying number of times (EX: Slot machine)

Punishment

Makes a behavior less likely to occur again

Positive Punishment

The addition of a stimulus to decrease the probability that a behavior will reoccur (EX: Receiving a speeding ticket

Negative Punishment

The removal of a stimulus to decrease the probability that a behavior will reoccur (EX: Teenager loses driving privileges for speeding)

Reinforcement

Makes a behavior more likely to be repeated

Positive Reinforcement

The addition of a stimulus to increase the probability that a behavior will be repeated, also called a reward (EX: Working harder after receiving a pay raise)

Negative Reinforcement

The removal of a stimulus to increase the probability that a behavior will be repeated (EX: Taking a pill to get rid of a headache

What is habituation?

A decrease in behavioral response after lengthy or repeated exposure to a stimulus (especially if the stimulus is neither harmful nor rewarding)

What is sensitization?

an increase in behavioral response after exposure to a stimulus (heightened preparation in a situation with potential harm or reward)

What is shaping?

The powerful process of reinforcing behaviors that are increasingly similar to the desired behavior

What is modeling?

displaying a behavior that imitates a previously observed behavior

What is vicarious reinforcement?

Reinforcement which is not directly experienced but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour

What is consolidation?

A process by which immediate memories become lasting through long-term storage

What is reconsolidation?

once memories are activated, they need to be consolidated again for long-term storage

What is the primary effect?

Refers to the better memory people have for items presented at the beginning of the list

What is the recency effect?

refers to the better memory people have for the most recent items, the ones at the end of the list

What is our vestibular sense?

Allows us to maintain balance

What is our kinesthetic sense?

How our body and limbs are positioned in space

What is Weber's Law?

The just-noticeable difference between two stimuli is a function of the magnitude of the original stimulus. This means that the larger the original stimulus, the larger the just noticeable difference needs to be for it to be detected.

What is sensory adaptation?

A decrease in sensitivity to a constant level of stimulation (Like not noticing the socks you're wearing)

What is false memory?

When a person imagines an event happening, they form a mental image. Later they might confuse that mental image with a real memory (Children are more likely to develop false memories)

What is suggestibility?

When people are given misleading information, this information affects their memory for an event

Is the eyewitness account accurate? Why or why not?

No. The eyewitness account is prone to error because often the eyewitness is not paying attention to the right details when the event happens. Is also prone to suggestibility