Memory Strategies and Neurogenesis

Vocabulary-style flashcards defining key psychological concepts, memory enhancement strategies, and biological factors associated with neurogenesis and cognition based on lecture notes.

Deep processing (Meaning)

The act of processing information by its meaning, which produces better recall than shallow processing based on appearance or sound.

Elaboration

A strategy to enhance recall by relating new information to other information already existing in memory.

Chunking

The organization of items into familiar, manageable units to enhance memory, such as grouping long strings of numbers into dates.

Hierarchical organization

The clustering of chunks into a hierarchy, which aids later recall significantly better than disorganized material.

First-letter technique

A memory strategy using the first letter of each word in a series to create an acronym or phrase, such as HOMES or Roy G. Biv.

Method of loci

A mnemonic or memory technique where information is encoded visually and semantically within a spatial context.

Prospective memory

The ability to remember to perform a planned action in the future; research by Liu & Park ($2004$) showed imagery improved this to $76\,\%$ compared to $46\,\%$ for other methods.

Generation effect

One of the most effective memory strategies, involving talking to people about what you know and testing yourself rather than passive reading.

Spacing effect

The phenomenon where information is retained better when study sessions are distributed over time rather than massed together.

Practice effect

The principle that the more time spent studying material, the more likely one is to remember it, often aided by overlearning.

$10,000$-hour rule

Based on Ericsson’s studies, the observation that virtually all experts spent over $10,000\,\text{hours}$ in deliberate practice over at least $10$ years.

Context effect

Also known as the encoding specificity effect or state-dependent memory, it suggests recall is better when the test environment matches the encoding environment.

Self-reference effect

The enhancement of memory that occurs when stimuli are related to one's own personal experience.

Emotional arousal

A state that enhances learning and retention by searing events into the brain, though excessive stress may corrode neural connections.

Timing factor

The observation that material presented one hour before sleep tends to be remembered best, and even $10\,\text{minutes}$ of waking rest can enhance memory.

Multimodal approach

A memory strategy that involves paying attention to mental and physical conditions alongside the flexible use of various memory techniques.

Schemas

Generalized mental representations or concepts of a given class of objects, scenes, or events that can aid or distort recall.

Mood-congruence effect

The tendency to recall experiences that are consistent with one's current good or bad mood.

Negativity bias

A short-term tendency in which people experience a preference for recalling unpleasant events, even though pleasant events are recalled better in the long run.

Irisin

A hormone produced during endurance exercise that improves cognitive function, dampens neuroinflammation, and ensures the development of new neurons.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)

A substance increased by aerobic exercise that supports the health of existing neurons and promotes the creation of new brain cells.

Nootropics

Drugs that may enhance memory, such as caffeine, Gingko biloba, or experimental drugs targeting CREB or glutamate.

Glutamate

A neurotransmitter that enhances Long-Term Potentiation ($LTP$); experimental drugs increasing its levels may enhance memory but risk seizures and strokes.