AP Psychology: Unit 2 - 2.7 Forgetting & Other Memory Challenges

Forgetting Curve

a concept that describes the decrease in ability of the brain to retain memory over time

encoding failure

the inability to effectively store or retrieve information from long-term memory due to failure in the initial encoding process.

storage decay

occurs soon after material is learned and stored; the fading or weakening of memory over time when it is not used, rehearsed, or retrieved.

Retrieval failure

the inability to recall stored information from the long-term memory due to a lack of appropriate cues.

tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon

• when you know a word but can’t quite recall it

• occurs when someone cannot recall a specific word or term, but feels like they know it

• a part of retrieval failure

Repression/Motivated forgetting

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

interference

when other information blocks or disrupts the retrieval of information/memory

proactive interferen

• Forward-acting interference

• occurs when prior learning disrupts your recall of new information

retroactive interference

• backward-acting interference

• occurs when new learning disrupts your recall of old information

Memory consolidation

• The process by which short-term memories are transformed into long-term memories during sleep or rest periods.

constructive memory

• a part of memory consolidation

• the idea that memories are not perfect recordings of events, but are actively reconstructing, often using existing knowledge, expectations, and beliefs

reconsolidation

• a part of constructive memory

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

imagination inflation

• a part of constructive memory

• the phenomenon where imagining an event increases the likelihood of believing it actually happened

Misinformation effect

a part of memory consolidation; occurs when false memories are created due to information we receive after an event; interferes with original memory of what actually happened

source amnesia

a part of memory consolidation; faulty memory for how, when, or where information was learned or imagined