Levels of Processing Theory and Memory

Flashcards covering key concepts from the levels of processing theory and related aspects of memory.

Levels of Processing (LoP) Theory

A theory that suggests memory retention depends on the depth at which information is processed rather than on distinct memory stores.

Deeper Processing

Involves semantic analysis where meaning is thought about, leading to better memory retention.

Shallow Processing

Focuses on surface-level features, such as physical appearance or sound of words, resulting in weaker retention.

Elaborative Rehearsal

A process where items are processed deeply or elaborately, enhancing memory performance.

Transfer-Appropriate Processing

The idea that memory performance depends on the match between encoding and retrieval processes.

Intentional Learning

Learning where the learner knows that there will be a test of retention.

Incidental Learning

Learning that occurs without the learner being aware of a future test.

Subjective Organization

The imposition of personal structure on information to aid memory, enhancing recall.

Schemas

Mental frameworks that help interpret and organize new information, influencing memory recall.

Flashbulb Memory

A vivid and detailed memory of an emotionally significant event, though not always accurate.

Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve

A graph showing how memory retention decreases over time, with rapid forgetting initially.

Cued Reinstatement

The process of recovering memories by reintroducing cues present during initial encoding.

Directed Forgetting

A phenomenon where individuals are instructed to forget certain information, leading to reduced recall.

False Memory Syndrome

A condition where individuals strongly believe in distorted or false memories, often of traumatic events.

Positivity Bias

The tendency to remember and focus on positive information more than negative information.

Cryptomnesia

Falsely remembering someone else's ideas as your own.

Proactive Interference

When old memories interfere with the recall of new information.

Retroactive Interference

When new information interferes with the recall of old memories.

Blocking

The temporary inability to retrieve information that is known and stored in memory.

What is a TOT state?

A TOT (tip-of-the-tongue) state is a temporary inability to retrieve information that a person feels they know, often caused by competition between similar memories.

How does blocking explain recovered memories?

Blocking can explain recovered memories as previously inaccessible information may become re-activated through specific cues, but can also lead to false memories during recovery.

What is déjà vu?

the feeling that a novel situation is actually familiar.

What percentage of false convictions in the 1980s were attributed to eyewitness testimony?

Over 75% of false convictions were believed to be caused by faulty eyewitness testimony.

What is the Deese/Roediger-McDermott procedure?

An experiment where participants view a list of related words, intentionally missing a word that is strongly related to those present.

What is the distinctiveness heuristic?

suggests people remember vivid experiences better and helps reject false memories, especially in older adults.

What can create feelings of familiarity?

Processing information easily and quickly can lead to feelings of familiarity.

What is proactive interference?

when older memories make it difficult to remember new information.

What is retroactive interference?

Retroactive interference occurs when new information interferes with the recall of older information.

What is the item-method in memory research?

In the item-method, participants are shown items one by one and instructed to either forget or remember each item; recall is poorer when told to forget.

What is the list-method in memory research?

In the list-method, participants view two lists of items, and if told to forget the first list, their recall of it is usually impaired.

What is the think/no think paradigm?

studies the ability to suppress memory retrieval when confronted with reminders.

What is repression in psychology?

an unconscious defense mechanism that blocks distressing memories from conscious awareness to protect individuals from emotional pain.

What is psychogenic fugue?

a form of amnesia lasting hours or days, where individuals forget their entire life history following severe trauma.

What is hypermnesia?

the improvement in recall performance resulting from repeated testing sessions on the same material.

What is reminiscence and the reminiscence bump?

Reminiscence is recalling past experiences; the reminiscence bump refers to the increased recall of memories from ages 10 to 30 due to emotional salience.

How does cue reinstatement aid memory recovery?

helps recover memories by reintroducing cues present during encoding, facilitating retrieval of previously encoded memories.

What is the significance of the Smith and Moynan (2008) 'swear-word study'?

The study found that taboo words resist retrieval-induced forgetting, suggesting they are deeply encoded and more accessible than neutral or emotional words.

What is the forget-it-all along effect?

The forget-it-all along effect occurs when a person recalls something in one context but fails to remember it later in a different context, even after multiple recollections.