AP Psych Unit 7A Vocab

Repression

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

Retrieval

the process of getting information out of memory storage

semantic encoding

the encoding of meaning, including the meaning of words

Encoding

the processing of information into the memory systems – for example, by extracting meaning

parallel processing

the processing of many aspects of a problem simultaneously; the brain’s natural mode of information processing for many functions. Contrasts with the step-by-step (serial) processing of most computers and of conscious problem solving

implicit memory

retention independent of conscious recollection. (Also called nondeclarative or procedural memory)

proactive interference

the disruptive effect of prior learning on the recall of new information

sensory memory

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

Rehearsal

the conscious repetition of information, either to maintain it in consciousness or to encode it for storage

serial position effect

our tendency to recall best the last and first items in a list

iconic memory

a momentary sensory memory of visual stimuli; a photographic or picture-image memory lasting no more than a few tenths of a second

Amnesia

loss of memory

Storage

the retention of encoded information over time

automatic processing

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

explicit memory

memory of facts and experiences that one can consciously know and “declare.” (Also called declarative memory)

Recall

a measure of memory in which the person must retrieve information learning earlier, as on a fill-in-the-blank test

misinformation effect

incorporating misleading information into one’s memory of an event

Priming

the activation, often unconsciously, of particular associations in memory.

retroactive interference

the disruptive effect of new learning on the recall of old information

deja vu

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