Everyday Memory & Memory Errors

These flashcards cover key concepts and theories discussed in the lecture on memory and memory errors.

What influences the vividness of memories for events?

Significant events, highly emotional events, and transitions in a person's life.

What is the reminiscence bump?

Increased memory for events that occurred during adolescence and young adulthood.

What is one hypothesis explaining the reminiscence bump?

The self-image hypothesis suggests that memories formed during this period are self-defining.

What role does emotion play in memory?

Emotion enhances memory recall, particularly through brain activity in the amygdala.

What is the narrative rehearsal hypothesis?

We remember flashbulb memories better because we often rehearse them.

What is illusory truth?

The phenomenon where repeated statements are perceived as more true.

What is the misinformation effect?

Misleading information can alter how a person remembers an event.

What are schemas and scripts?

Cognitive structures that influence how we organize and interpret memories.

What is a source monitoring error?

A mistake made in identifying the origin of a memory or piece of information.

What effect can misleading questions have on memory?

They can lead to retrieval errors and alter a person's recollection of an event.

What can contribute to errors in eyewitness testimony?

Poor viewing conditions, expectations, weapon focus, own race bias, and change blindness.

What is a pragmatic inference?

Inferences based on previously held knowledge and experiences that can influence memory.

What are false memories?

Memories for events that individuals believe to have occurred but were actually fabricated.

What experiment is associated with false memories?

The 1995 study by Hyman and colleagues which involved participants 'remembering' new, added events.

What is the best guess in eyewitness testimony?

When witnesses provide answers based on their assumptions rather than actual memories.

What are the advantages of the constructive nature of memory?

It allows us to fill in the blanks and be creative with our recollections.

What is one disadvantage of the constructive nature of memory?

It can lead to errors and misattributions regarding the source of information.

What does research say about the impact of emotions on memory?

Emotional experiences are usually better remembered due to the involvement of the amygdala.

What implications does the misinformation effect have for legal testimony?

It highlights the potential for inaccuracies in eyewitness accounts due to external influence.

What are some characteristics of memories influenced by emotions?

Memories influenced by emotions are often more vivid, detailed, and easier to recall, primarily due to the activation of the amygdala during emotional experiences.

What is weapon focus in eyewitness testimony?

Weapon focus refers to the phenomenon where the presence of a weapon in a crime scene distracts witnesses, leading to poorer memory recall of other aspects of the event

What are schemas and how do they influence memory?

Schemas are cognitive structures that help organize and interpret information. They influence memory by shaping what we expect to remember in a situation based on prior knowledge.

How do scripts influence memory recall?

Scripts are a type of schema that provide a framework for understanding sequences of events. They influence memory recall by creating expectations about what usually happens in particular contexts, aiding in the organization of memories

What is the MPI (Misleading Post-Event Information)?

MPI refers to information presented after an event that can alter a person's memory of that event, often leading to inaccuracies in recollection

What is autobiographical memory?

Autobiographical memory is a memory system consisting of episodes recollected from an individual's life, including both semantic and episodic components.

What is the semantic component of autobiographical memory?

The semantic component refers to the general knowledge and facts about one's life that are not tied to specific experiences, such as knowing that one was born in a certain year.

What is the episodic component of autobiographical memory?

The episodic component involves the recollection of specific events and experiences in one's life, including contextual details such as time

What is a source monitoring error?

A mistake made in identifying the origin of a memory or piece of information, often leading to source misattribution errors where individuals confuse the source of their knowledge.

What is Cryptomnesia?

Cryptomnesia is a phenomenon where a person recalls a memory but mistakenly believes it is a new idea or thought they have generated themselves. It occurs when stored information is retrieved without the person being aware of its source, often leading to unintentional plagiarism.

What is the reminiscence bump?

The reminiscence bump refers to the phenomenon where people have increased memory for events that occurred during adolescence and young adulthood.

What is the self-image hypothesis regarding the reminiscence bump?

The self-image hypothesis suggests that memories formed during adolescence and young adulthood are self-defining, contributing to a stronger recollection of these experiences.

How does the cognitive hypothesis explain the reminiscence bump?

The cognitive hypothesis posits that individuals are more likely to remember events from their adolescence and young adulthood because these years are filled with novel experiences that enhance encoding.

What role does cultural schema play in the reminiscence bump?

The cultural schema hypothesis suggests that certain life events are culturally emphasized during adolescence and young adulthood, leading to a higher likelihood of these memories being retr

What are flashbulb memories?

Flashbulb memories are memory for shocking, highly charged events.

What are some characteristics of flashbulb memories?

Some characteristics of flashbulb memories are vividness, detail, and strong emotional connection to the event.