Ap Psych Unit 5: Cognition (Memory)

Memory

Learning that is held overtime through encoding, storage, and retrieval.

Sensory Memory

Very short and immediate memory.

Short Term/Working Memory

Active incoming and/or retrieved memories.

Long Term Memory

Where we keep everything we’ve retained (warehouse). She’s unlimited.

Encoding

Putting the information in there.

Storage

Information is retained/saved.

Retrieval

Information is brought back.

Flashbulb Memory

Clear/vivid memories of surprising and/or important events.

Hyperthymesia

Incredible autobiographical memory.

Mnemonists

Ability to remember incredibly long lists of items and information.

Automatic Processing

Encode information without trying.

Parallel Processing

Encode information while doing other things.

Effortful Processing

When something takes effort and attention to remember.

Rehearsal

Repeating or actively working with material.

Mnemonic Devices

Memory tricks/techniques.

Hermann Ebbinghaus

Effortful Processing Researcher.

• List of nonsense syllables

Ebbinghaus Theories

a. Amount remembered depends on the time spent learning.

b. After learning, rehearsal increases retention.

c. Material immediately before or during sleep=no retention.

d. Learning/forgetting curve (learn/forget quickly).

Next-In-Line Effect

When you are part of a line/order of things your worst memory is of the person right next to you.

Spacing Effect

We retain information better when rehearsed over time.

Serial Position Effect

With a list of items, the first and last tend to be remembered much better than the middle items.

Primacy

First/early items are paid attention to.

Recency

Last/most recent items are paid attention to.

Self-Reference Effect

We remember personally meaningful things better.

Meaning/Semantic Encoding

Creating/using meaning seems to be the best memory tool.

• Ebbinghaus: Meaningful take 1/10 the effort.

• Deep processing

Imagery/Mental Pictures/Visual Info

It is easier to remember words that connect to images.

Method of Loci

Create a visual story to follow.

Peg-Word Systems

A system of words creates visuals.

Auditory

Remember a sound alone.

Chunking

Organize information into meaningful groupings.

Hierarchies

Divide information into groups and subgroups.

George Sperling

Sensory memory researcher (3×3 matrices).

Wilder Penfield

There is a single spot for memory.

Ralph Gerard

Memory is electrical.

Elizabeth Loftus

Memory is spread out in the brain.

Memory as Synaptic Change

Memory involves the connections between neurons.

Eric Kandel

Discovered memory as synaptic change. Bro worked with sea snails.

Long Term Potentiation (LTP)

Neural basic for learning and memory. How it sticks around.

Implicit/Procedural Memory

Memory of skills/movements/physical things.

Explicit/Declarative Memory

Memory of stories/facts/etc.

Episodic Memory

Memory of stories and events (an episode).

Cues

Guides/reminders that trigger a memory.

Priming

Multiple cues used to trigger a memory.

Context

Retrieval works better when in the same context as when the memory was encoded.

State Dependent Memory

You’re better at retrieving in the same state as when you encode.

Mood Congruent Memory

Emotion helps to trigger retrieval, because it played a role in encoding.

Ebbinghaus’ Forgetting Curve

Forgetting information suddenly, and what’s left is secure.

Interference

Our memory is impacted by competing information.

Proactive

Old information hurts/blocks encoding of new information.

Retroactive

New information hurts/blocks retrieval of old information.

Positive Transfers

Previous information helps form new memories.

Motivated Forgetting

We often revise our own memories (sometimes willingly, sometimes due to accepted misinformation).

Repression

Freudian defense mechanism where we try to forget/push stuff into the unconscious.

Misinformation Effect

Incorrectly filled in=misremembering.

Source Amnesia

We struggle to remember the source of a memory, so we claim it as our own.

Deja Vu

“I’ve had this happen before.”