Introduction to Psychology and Brain Sciences: Memory

These flashcards cover key definitions and concepts related to memory as discussed in the lecture on psychology.

Three-Stage Memory Model

A model proposed by Shiffrin and Atkinson that includes sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory.

Sensory Memory

The initial stage of memory that holds brief sensory impressions of stimuli.

Short-term Memory

A limited duration and small capacity component of memory that can hold information for a short period.

Long-term Memory

The stage of memory with unlimited capacity and potentially permanent duration.

Episodic Memory

A type of declarative memory that stores specific events or episodes from one’s life.

Declarative Memory

Type of long-term memory that involves conscious recollection of facts and events.

Procedural Memory

Type of long-term memory associated with skills and procedures, often performed unconsciously.

Chunking

A technique to improve short-term memory capacity by grouping information into larger, more manageable units.

Elaborative Rehearsal

Active organization and integration of new information with existing memory.

Semantic Memory

A type of declarative memory that contains general knowledge about the world.

Levels of Processing Theory

The idea that memory retention depends on the depth of processing information.

Recall

The process of retrieving a memory without any cues.

Recognition

The process of retrieving information by identifying it through cues or comparisons.

Cognitive Schemas

Mental structures that organize knowledge and concepts about an event or object.

Semantic Network Theory

Theory stating that semantic memories are stored as nodes (concepts) linked by connections.

Memory is

a reconstruction of an event, done accurately

only when all pieces of it are successfully retrieved and

integrated perfectly

Each retrieval is…

a new reconstruction potentially

affected by different ongoing circumstances, e.g., tired,

distraught, listening to someone help with the

reconstruction, wishing to reconstruct in a way that does

not cause pain, etc.

Distortions can and do occur

occur from source confusion, i.e.,

did I experience it or did someone tell me about it? (how, when, where)