Psychology Memory: Encoding, Storage, Retrieval & Forgetting

Encoding

Putting new information into memory.

Storage

Keeping information in memory.

Retrieval

Getting information out of memory.

Levels-of-Processing Theory

Deeper thinking about information creates longer-lasting memories.

Semantic Encoding

Remembering information by focusing on its meaning.

Elaboration

Connecting new information to things you already know.

Visual Imagery

Creating mental pictures to help remember information.

Dual Coding Theory

Memory improves by using words and pictures together.

Sensory Memory

Holds sensory information for a fraction of a second.

Short-Term Memory

Holds a small amount of information briefly, about 20 seconds.

Rehearsal

Repeating information to keep it in short-term memory.

Chunking

Group information into smaller, familiar units.

Long-Term Memory

Stores information for years with no known capacity limit.

Flashbulb Memory

A vivid memory of learning about an important event.

Retrieval Cue

A hint that helps you remember information.

Tip-of-the-Tongue Phenomenon

Knowing something but temporarily being unable to remember it.

Context-Dependent Memory

Remembering better in the same setting where you learned.

Misinformation Effect

Misleading information changes your memory of an event.

Forgetting Curve

Forgetting happens quickly at first, then slows down.

Recall

Remembering information without answer choices or hints.

Recognition

Identifying information you learned before from choices.

Relearning

Learning information again to measure how much you still remember.

Decay Theory

Memory traces fade over time.

Interference Theory

Other information makes it harder to remember something.

Encoding Specificity Principle

A cue works best when it matches the memory.

Ineffective Encoding

Information is not remembered well because of poor attention or shallow processing.

Hippocampus

A brain structure involved in memory.

Independent Variable

The factor a researcher changes in an experiment.

Dependent Variable

The result a researcher measures.