Key Concepts in Memory and Amnesia (CH6)

Retrieval paths

Connections formed during learning that aid in retrieving information later.

Context-dependent learning

Learning that is tied to the context or environment in which the information was acquired.

Encoding specificity

The idea that memory is most effective when information and context encoded match the retrieval cues.

Mirror-drawing task

Demonstrates that amnesic patients can improve performance on the task despite having no memory of previous attempts, showing implicit memory.

Types of memory tests

Recall (generate information) and recognition (identify information).

Familiarity vs. source memory

Familiarity is a sense that something is known without context; source memory includes the context of the memory.

Remember/know distinction

"Remember" implies source memory; "know" implies familiarity without context.

Brain regions for familiarity and source memory

Rhinal cortex (familiarity), hippocampus (source memory).

Semantic priming

Faster recognition of a word after exposure to a related word (e.g., 'bread' primes 'butter').

Implicit memory

Memory revealed through indirect tests, like priming, without conscious awareness.

Repetition priming

Improved processing of a stimulus due to prior exposure.

Illusion of truth

Statements heard before are judged as more believable, even if previously identified as false.

Source confusion

Misattributing the origin of a memory, such as identifying someone seen in a photo as a criminal.

Retrograde vs. anterograde amnesia

Retrograde = forgetting past events; Anterograde = inability to form new memories.

Kent Cochrane (Patient K.C.)

Illustrates disruption of episodic memory with intact semantic memory.

Processing fluency

The ease with which information is processed, often linked to a feeling of familiarity.

Double dissociation between explicit and implicit memory

Shows that they rely on different brain systems: hippocampus (explicit), amygdala (implicit).

Optimal learning strategy

Learning information from multiple perspectives to establish multiple retrieval paths.

Spreading Activation

Activation of one memory node spreads to connected nodes, increasing the chance of related memories being retrieved.

Summation in Spreading Activation

Multiple weak activations can combine to trigger a memory node if together they reach the threshold.

Effective Retrieval Cue

A cue that matches how the information was encoded, due to encoding specificity.

Semantic Priming in Lexical-Decision Task

Participants respond faster to real words that follow semantically related words.

Rhinal Cortex Role in Memory

It is associated with familiarity-based recognition ('know' responses).

Hippocampus Role in Memory

It is involved in source memory and 'remember' responses.

False Fame Effect

Fictitious names read earlier are later rated as more famous due to misattributed familiarity.

Repetition Priming in Word-Stem Completion

Previously seen words are more likely to be used to complete partial word stems.

Kolers' Inverted Text Study

Even after a year, people read previously seen texts faster, showing implicit memory and a savings effect.

Possible/Impossible Objects Task

Priming effects only occur for possible objects, suggesting Gestalt-based processing in memory.

Odors Influence on Implicit Memory

Exposure to cleaning-related smells can prime people to behave more cleanly without conscious awareness.

Source Confusion

A failure of source memory where familiarity is misattributed to the wrong context.

Illusion of Truth Effect

Repeated exposure increases believability of statements, even if they're known to be false.

Patient H.M.'s Amnesia

Anterograde amnesia—he could not form new explicit memories.

Claparède's Pin Experiment

Patients can show implicit memory (avoidance) even when they have no explicit memory of the event.

Double Dissociation in Memory Research

Evidence that two types of memory (explicit and implicit) rely on separate brain systems, such as hippocampus vs. amygdala.

Ideal Learning Strategy

Using multiple encoding perspectives to create rich, varied retrieval paths.