AP Psychology - Unit 2.3 Introduction to Memory

Memory

• information or learning that persists over time through the encoding, storing, and retrieval processes

• acquired through various experiences

Explicit Memory

• information an individual can consciously recall and “declare”

• encoded through effortful processing

• work with the hippocampus and the frontal lobes

Episodic Memory

type of explicit memory

memories of personal experiences or specific events

• example: memory of your sweet 16 birthday party

Semantic Memory

type of explicit memory

memories of facts, concepts, and general knowledge

• example: remembering that the capital of France is Paris

Implicit Memory

• consist of learned skills and classically conditioned associations

• unconscious memories 

• harder to verbalize

• product of automatic processing

• work with the cerebellum and basal ganglia

Procedural Memory

type of implicit memory

helps individuals remember how to perform skills and routines

• example: riding a bike

Prospective Memory

mental reminders of things that need to be done in the future

can be event-based or time-based

• example: remembering to take medication at a certain time

Long-Term Potentiation

• explains that memory is created through physical changes in the brain

• repeated activation of certain neural pathways strengthens the synaptic connections between those neurons over time

• allows individuals to store and retain knowledge over time

Neurogenesis

• the formation of new neurons in stimulating environments

Working Memory Model

helps to understand how the brain actively processes and manipulates information in the moment

made up of 4 components:

• visuospatial sketchpad

• phonological loop

• central executive

• episodic buffer

Visuospatial Sketchpad

• the “inner eye”

• where visual and spatial information is processed

• allows individuals to imagine or mentally map out a scene or route

Phonological Loop

deals with sounds and words

• Phonological State: “inner ear;” spoken words are briefly held

• Articulatory Rehearsal Process: “inner voice;” helps repeat phrases to keep them active in short-term memory

Central Executive

control center of working memory

• manages attention

• coordinates the other systems

• helps us switch our focus between tasks

Episodic Buffer

• acts as a temporary storage system

• combines different types of information from the working memory systems into one, cohesive sequence

• explains how long-term memory integrates with working memory

Multi-Store Model

• explains how information is processed, stored, and retrieved

• focuses on three key systems that information must pass through if it’s going to be remembered

• sensory memory —> short-term memory —> long-term memory

• proves that attention is critical to memory

Sensory Memory

• where information from the environment is briefly held

• consists of separate sensory registers for each sense/stimuli

Short-Term Memory

• holds information that an individual is currently aware and conscious of

• lasts 15-30 seconds

• can only hold a small amount of information (about 7 items)

Working Memory

• the place where information is held and manipulated

• new information is connected with previous knowledge

Long-Term Memory

stores information that has been successfully encoded 

unlimited storage capacity and duration of memories

includes;

• explicit memories

• implicit memories

Iconic Memory

• visual sensory memory

• lasts for a fraction of a second

Echoic Memory

• auditory sensory memory

• lasts between one to four seconds

Maintenance Rehearsal

• a rehearsal strategy that prevents forgetting the information by repeatedly going over it

Elaborative Rehearsal

• a rehearsal strategy that connects new information to previous knowledge

Levels of Processing Model

• focuses on how information is processed when an individual first encounters it

• shows that memory can be encoded on three different levels

Structural Encoding

• most shallow form of encoding

• occurs when a person only pays attention to what something looks like

Phonemic Encoding

a deeper form of encoding compared to structural encoding

based on sound

• example: how a word is pronounced

Semantic Encoding

• deepest level of encoding

• occurs when you process the meaning of information