Ap Psych Unit 5 Cognition

Memory

Memory

The persistence of learning over time through the encoding, storage, and retrieval of information.

Recall

A measure of memory in which the person must retrieve information learned earlier as on a fill-in-the-blank test.

Recognition

A measure of memory in which the person identifies previously learned, as on a multiple-choice test.

Relearning

A measure of memory that assesses the amount of time saved when learning material again.

Encoding

The process of getting information into the memory system-for example, by extracting meaning.

Storage

The process of retaining encoded information over time.

retrieval

The process of getting information out of memory storage.

Parallel Processing

Processing many aspects of a problem simultaneously; the brain’s natural mode of information processing for many functions.

Sensory memory

The immediate, very brief recording of sensory information in the memory system.

Short-term memory

Activated memory that holds a few items briefly, such as digits of a phone number while calling, before the information is stored or forgotten.

Long-term Memory

The relatively permanent and limitless storehouse of the memory system. Includes knowledge, skills, and experiences.

Working memory

The newer understanding of short-term memory that adds, conscious, active processing of incoming auditory and visual information, and of information retrieved from long term memory.

Explicit Memories

Retention of facts and experiences that one can consciously know and “declare” (also called declarative memory).

Effort processing

Encoding that requires attention and conscious effort.

Automatic processing

Unconscious encoding of incidental information, such as space, time, and frequency, and of well-learned information, such as word meanings.

Implicit memories

Retention of learned skills or classically conditioned associations independent of conscious recollection. (Also called non declarative memory)

Iconic memory

A momentary sensory memory of visual stimuli; a picture-image memory lasting no more than a few tenths of a second.

Echoic memory

A momentary sensory memory of auditory stimuli; if attention is elsewhere, sounds and words can still be recalled within 3 or 4 seconds.

Chunking

Organizing items into familiar, manageable units; often occurs automatically.

Mnemonics

Memory aids, especially those techniques that use vivid imagery and organized devices.

Spacing effect

The tendency for distributed study or practice to yield better long-term retention than is achieved through masses study or practice.

Testing effect

Enhanced memory after retrieving, rather than simply rereading, information. Also sometimes referred to as a retrieval practice effect or test-enhanced learning.

Shallow processing

Encoding on a basic level, based on the structure or appearance of words.

Deep processing

Encoding semantically, based on the meaning of the words; tends to yield the best retention.

Semantic Memory

Explicit memory of facts and general knowledge; one of our two conscious memory systems

Episodic memory

Explicit memory of personally experienced events; one of our two conscious memory systems.

Hippocampus

A neural center located in the limbic system; helps process for storage explicit (conscious) memories of facts and events.

Memory Consolidation

The neural storage of a long-term memory.

Flashbulb memories

A clear, sustained memory of an emotionally significant moment or events.

Priming

The activation, often unconsciously, of certain associations, thus predisposing one’s perception, memory, or response.

Encoding Specifically Principle

The idea that cues and contexts specific to a particular memory will be most effective in helping us recall it.

Serial Position Effect

Our tendency to recall best the last (recency effect) and first (primacy effect) items in a list.

Primacy Effect

Remembering the beginning of the list.

Recency Effect

Remembering the last past of the list.