AP Psych Unit 3 - Encoding Memories

Flashbulb memories

vivid & detailed memory of an event

• ex. 9/11

mnemonic devices

memory aids using vivid imagery & organizational devices

method of loci

associating items with locations

imagine walking through a space & looking for items in order 

chunking

acronyms

string of 16 numbers can be remembered easily if chunked into 4 sets of 4 number each

categories

organizing items into familiar manageable units

hierarchies

clustering chunks then forming hierarchy helps for large amounts of info

spacing effect

distributed practice (spacing out studying) is better for memory retention rather than all nighters (massed practice)

better to rehearse, wait, rehearse, wait longer

memory consolidation

long term memory retention

massed practice

studying something all at once—pulling an all nighter

distributed practice

spacing out studying/practice sessions

serial position effect

recalling 1st and last items in a list best

last words in short term recall

spend for time rehearsing 1st words

learning 1st items may interfere w/ learning next ones

primacy effect

recalling 1st words in a list best

recency effect

recalling last words in a list while they’re still in short-term recall