AP Psych- Unit 1 test

encoding

the process of getting information into the memory system- example: by giving something meaning

storage

the process of retaining information out of memory storage

retrieval

the process of getting info out of memory storage

parallel processing

processing many aspects of a problem simultaneously; the brain’s natural mode of information processing for many functions.

sensory memory

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

short-term memory

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

long-term memory

the relatively permanent and limitless storehouse of the memory system.

working memory

is the small amount of information that can be held in mind and used in the execution of cognitive tasks (STM)

explicit memory

retention of facts and experiences that one can consciously know and delcare.

effortful processing

encoding that requires attention and conscious effort

automatic processing

unconscious encoding of incidental info such as space time and frequency and of well-learned info, such as word meanings.

implicit memory

the information that we do not store purposely and is unintentionally memorized;

iconic memory

a momentary sensory memory of visual lasting no more than a few tenths of a second

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

chunking

organizing items into familiar, manageable units, often occurs naturally

mnemonics

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

spacing effect

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

testing effect

enhanced memory after retrieving, rather than simply rereading, information. Also sometimes referred to as a retrieval practice effect or test-enhanced learning.

shallow processing

encoding on a basic level, based on the structure or appearance of words.

deep processing

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

memory consolidation

the neural storage of a long-term memory

semantic memory

explicit memory of facts and general knowledge; one of our two conscious memory systems

episodic memory

explicit memory of personally experienced events; one of our two conscious memory systems

hippocampus

a neural center located in the limbic system; helps process explicit memories-of facts and events- for storage

flashbulb memory

a clear sustained memory, of an emotionally significant moment or event

long term potentiation (LTP)

an increase in a cell’s firing potential after brief, rapid stimulation; a neural basis for learning and memory

priming

The activation, often unconsciously, of particular associations in memory

encoding specificity principle

the idea that cues and contexts specific to a particular memory will be most effective in helping us recall it

mood-congruent memory

the tendency to recall experiences that are consistent with one’s current good or bad mood

serial position effect

our tendency to recall best the last (recency effect ) and first (primary effect) items in a list.

anterograde amnesia

an inability to form new memories after like a trauma

retrograde amnesia

an inability to retrieve information from one’s past

proactive interference

the forward-acting disruptive effect of older learning on the recall of new information. PORN Proactive blocks Old information

retroactive information

the backwards acting disruptive effect of newer learning on the recall of old information. PORN Retroactive blocks new information

repession

in psychoanalytic theory, the basic defense mechanism that banishes from consciousness anxiety-arousing thoughts, feelings, and memories

reconsolidation

a process in which previously stored memories, when retrieved, are potentially altered before being stored again

misinformation effect

occurs when misleading information has distorted one’s memory of an event

source amnesia

faulty memory for how, when, or where information was learned or imagined is at the heart of many false memories.

deja vu

that eerie sense that “I’ve experienced this before” Cues from the current situation may unconsciously trigger the retrieval of an earlier experience.

Resting potential

• otassium (K) on inside, sodium (Na) on outside 

  • The charge on inside is negative; positive on outside

Action potential

sin and pout

Salt goes in, potassium goes out

Excitatory

• Causes the neuron on the other side of synapse to generate an action potential

• (Allows impulse to cross synapse)

• “Gas pedal”