AP Psychology - Unit 2.5 Storing Memories

Sensory Memory

where information from the environment is first stored

information is held for only about a second or two

consists of;

• iconic memory

• echoic memory

Short-Term Memory

• holds information that an individual is consciously aware of

• information is generally held for 15-30 seconds

• can only hold about 7 items/pieces of information

Working Memory

information is held and manipulated

• connects new information with previous knowledge

Long-Term Memory

holds information that has been successfully encoded and stored

essentially unlimited storage

includes;

• explicit memories

• implicit memories

Hippocampus

• processes and forms explicit memories like facts or personal experiences

• located in the limbic system

• responsible for memory consolidation by preparing information before sending it out to other cortexes of the brain

Frontal Lobes

receives inputs from many brain regions when an explicit memory is retrieved

• left frontal lobe: helps hold and retrieve verbal memories

• right frontal lobe: helps hold and retrieve visual and non-verbal memories

Cerebellum

• plays a significant role in the formation and storage of implicit memories created by classical conditioning 

Basal Ganglia

• a deep brain structure involved in motor movement

• facilitates the formation of procedural memories 

Memory Consolidation

the storage process of turning short-term memories into long-term memories

during this process, neural connections are strengthened

• makes retrieval easier later on

Effortful Processing

• known as conscious processing

• creates explicit memories

• requires attention

Automatic Processing

known as unconscious processing

creates implicit memories

encodes incidental information;

• space

• time

• frequency

Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory

• a condition that enables an individual to have the ability to remember events from their life with extraordinary detail and accuracy, even years later after the memory was formed

Autobiographical Memory

• refers to the remembered information about an individual’s personal experiences or events from their life

Flashbulb Memory

• a clear memory of an emotionally significant moment or event

• noteworthy for their vividness

Amygdala

• responsible for the formation of emotion-related memories

• creates a memory trace that boosts activity in the brain’s memory-forming areas

Amnesia 

• involves the temporary or permanent loss of memory

Anterograde Amnesia

• person can no longer form new memories

• caused by damage/alteration to the hippocampus

Retrograde Amnesia

• person can no longer retrieve past information

• usually caused by a blow to the head

Source Amnesia

• person can remember the information, but cannot recall where or how they learned it

Infantile Amnesia

an adult has difficulty remembering personal experiences from the early years of their life

• early memories fade easily due to the brain being underdeveloped at the time the memories were formed

Alzheimer's

• a neurodegenerative disorder that impairs an individual’s memory and cognitive functions

• disrupts the storage and retrieval of both new and old memories