Topic 2.6&7 Retrieving Memories & Forgetting/other memory challenges

Difference between recall and recognition

Recall is retrieving info without cues or hints

Recognition is using retrieval cues to access info

Context-dependent memory

Retrieval that is improved when you’re in the same place that you learned the info

Mood-congruent memory

A higher chance to recall memories that match your current mood (Ex: happy mood reminds you of happy memories and vice versa)

State-dependent memory

Improved memory retrieval when in the same physical or mental state as when the memory was encoded

Retrieval cues

Associating new info with old info

Ebbinhaus’ forgetting curve

Forgetting can happen right after learning new info

Tip of the tongue phenomenon

When you know something yet can’t think of the name of it (Ex: hearing a song and knowing it but not able to name it)

Difference between proactive and retroactive

Proactive is old memories interfering with the recall of new ones (backward acting)

Retroactive is new memories interfering with the recall of old ones (forward acting)

Difference between eustress and distress

Eustress is thought to be beneficial and caused by positive events

Distress is looked as bad and caused by negative events

Ego

(Reality)

Controls impulses and external stimuli

Oversees superego and id

Superego

“Preconscious” (morality)

Representing ideals, judgements, and morals

Id

“Unconscious” (instincts)

Strives to satisfy basic drives; hunger & sex

Ego working with superego and id

Ego acts as a judge by balancing id’s desires and superego’s moral choices

Ego defense mechanism

Ego protects itself by reducing anxiety, distort reality unconsciously (most basic form is memory repression)

Constructive memory

When new info is remembered, the brain stores info with other assumptions, expectations, and inferences

Reconsolidation

Process of changing recalled memories before they are stored again

Misinformation effect

Given misleading or false info can distort memory