PSYC2050 lecture 8

These flashcards cover key concepts related to long-term memory, including distinctions, effects, and theories discussed in the PSYC2050 Lecture 8.

What is the primary distinction between episodic and semantic memory?

Episodic memory is context-sensitive and autobiographical while semantic memory is non-autobiographical and abstract.

What is a key difference between short-term memory (STM) and long-term memory (LTM)?

STM has a low capacity and is sensitive to the order of item presentation, while LTM has a vast capacity with long-term retention.

What is the recency effect in memory recall?

The recency effect refers to the tendency to remember the last items in a list best, as they are still fresh in short-term memory.

What does the primacy effect demonstrate in the serial position curve?

The primacy effect shows that items presented at the beginning of a list are remembered better because they are transferred to long-term memory.

What research method demonstrated the forgetting curve?

Hermann Ebbinghaus used nonsense syllables and tested recall at different time intervals to show forgetting is systematic over time.

What are the two classes of interference that affect memory retrieval?

Proactive interference occurs when old information blocks new information, while retroactive interference occurs when new information blocks old.

What is the implication of the misinformation effect in memory studies?

The misinformation effect reveals that incorrect information given during questioning can alter a witness's memory of an event.

How does rehearsal function in the transfer of information from STM to LTM?

Rehearsal keeps information in short-term memory long enough for it to be gradually transferred to long-term memory.

What is the significance of implicit memory tests compared to explicit tests?

Implicit tests assess memory without requiring intentional recall, often revealing memory effects in individuals with reduced memory function.

What is the key conclusion from Baddeley and Hitch's study on interference in memory?

Their study showed that interfering effects, such as the number of games played, significantly affect memory recall more than the passage of time.