Understanding Memory: Encoding, Storage, and Retrieval

encoding

process of transforming what we perceive think or feel into a memory

storage

information stored in a way that allows it to be later retrieved

retrieval

act of getting information from memory store and into conscious awareness

levels of processing

the more deeper the processing, the likelier an individual is to remember

shallow processing

processing that involves focusing on the surface-level features of information, rather than its deeper meaning

acoustic processing

processing based on sound, e.g., does the word rhyme with 'MAT'?

semantic processing

processing based on meaning, e.g., is the word a type of plant?

mnemonics

strategy for remembering large amounts of info involving imagining events occurring on a journey or with some other set of memorized cues

sensory store

storage of sensory info, accurately holds perceptual info very briefly

iconic memory

visual info stored for less than 1 second

echoic memory

auditory info stored for less than 3-4 seconds

short term memory (STM)

the memory systems in the brain involved in remembering pieces of information for a short time, often up to 30 seconds

working memory

manipulation of info for whatever task you're doing

phonological loop

a part of the working memory that processes & temporarily stores verbal and auditory info, e.g. rehearsing locker combination

visuospatial sketchpad

visual & spatial info, e.g., layout of childhood home

episodic buffer

place where info is passed between loop & sketchpad

central executive

“the boss” of working memory; is responsible for controlling its processing

long term memory (LTM)

memory that persists over time without conscious activation

primacy effect

remembering info presented at the beginning, associated with LTM

recency effect

remembering info presented last, associated with STM

explicit memory

a type of long-term memory that involves conscious recollection of facts and events.

episodic memory

specific time & place, personally experienced

semantic memory

facts & general knowledge

implicit memory

information that is unintentionally memorized and retrieved without conscious awareness, often influencing behavior.

procedural memory

a type of long-term memory involving skills & knowledge of how to perform tasks

priming

process of which exposure influences behavior

conditioning

training

retrograde amnesia

inability to remember memories/events before injury

anterograde amnesia

inability to consolidate new memories

Patient HM

had hippocampi removed; showed that removing hippocampi destroyed the ability to form new memories

Patient KC

a patient who, because of damage to his cortex, lost all memory for personal information (episodic info) but retained his memory for general knowledge (semantic memory)

blocking

failing to recall something, even when you know it

tip of tongue error

a common form of blocking

encoding specificity principle

memory is improved when info available at encoding is also available at retrieval

recall

taking info wholly from memory

recognition

recalling the correct answer, e.g., multiple choice questions

savings

info that is saved for later retrieval

proactive interference

old learning gets in the way of new info

retroactive interference

new learning gets in the way of old info

Loftus et al 1979

study that found we reconstruct memories; events are encoded in "flashes" of memories thus we construct a narrative to try & piece these "flashes" into a reasonable, meaningful whole

Loftus and Palmer (1974)

different words had an effect on the estimation of speed and perception of consequences, i.e. evidence for framing effects

item effects

certain lists may be more memorable

order effects

occur when the order in which the participants experience conditions in an experiment affects the results of the study