MODULE 7: MEMORY

Memory

the structure and process involved in the storage and subsequent retrieval of information.

Hippocampus

key brain structure that are integral to different kinds of memory.

Encoding

input of information into the memory system.

automatic processing

unconscious encoding of incidental information, such as space, time, frequency, and meaning of words.

effortful processing

encoding that requires focus and conscious effort.

semantic encoding

the encoding of meaning, including the meaning of words

visual encoding

the encoding of images

acoustic encoding

encoding of sound

storage

the retention of encoded information over time

sensory memory

the brief storage of sensory events such as sight

short-term memory

temporary storage system that processes incoming sensory memory, also called working memory

long-term memory

continuous storage of information wherein the storage has no limit.

explicit memory

Also called declarative memory, memories that we consciously try to remember and recall.

semantic memory

language-based knowledge and facts such as general information.

episodic memory

information about the happenings in the events that we personally experience. Recollection of of visual imagery and familiarity.

implicit memory

Also called nondeclarative memory, memories that we don't have to actively remember and recall; it is formed from behavior.

procedural memory

memory for skilled action; stores information about how to do things such as how to brush teeth

retrieval

act of getting information out of storage back into conscious awareness.

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 need only identify items previously learned, as on a multiple-choice test

relearn

a measure of memory wherein you refresh or assess old information.

amnesia

a form of memory loss wherein some may have have difficulty on forming new memories or can't remember past experience.

anterograde amnesia

a type of amnesia wherein there's an inability to form new memories

transient global amnesia

a type amnesia wherein a person experience an anterograde amnesia that come and goes repeatedly over several hours.

infantile amnesia

a type of amnesia wherein there's an inability to remember the first three to five years of life.

retrograde amnesia

a type of amnesia wherein there's inability to remember past events.

dementia

impaired ability to remember, think, or making desicions.

Alzheimer's disease

most common type of dementia; a progressive disease beginning with mild memory loss, leading to inability to carry on conversation and respond to environment.

anoxia

a depletion of oxygen level affecting brain, leading to memory loss

concussion

a head injury causing memory loss

dissociative amnesia

this occurs when a person blocks out information that are too much to handle due to trauma or stress

electroconclusive therapy (ECT)

a therapy use for depression that may cause anterograde or retrograde amnesia

forgetting

loss of information from long-term memory

Interference

the act of hindering necessary involvement to occur

proactive interference

old information hinders the recall of newly learned information

retroactive interference

new information hinders recall of old information

Repression

Defense mechanism by which anxiety-provoking thoughts and feelings are forced to the unconscious.

encoding failure

failure to process information into memory

memory errors

mistakes and distortions in the recalling of stored information

transience

storage decay; unused information fades over time

absentmindedness

a lapse in attention that results in memory failure such as forgetting to do things.

blocking

temporary inaccessibility of stored information; example of this is tip-of-the tongue syndrome,

suggestibility

incorporation of misinformation into memory due to leading questions, deception and other causes.

bias

a retrospective distortion produce by current knowledge and belief.

persistence

the continual recurrence of unwanted memories

Misattribution

creating false memory on your own by believing something occurred but does not.

rehearsal

this is the conscious repetition of information to be remembered.

chunking

organizing information into meaningful units to make it easier to remember

elaborative rehearsal

the linking of new information to material that is already known

mnemonic devices

useful for recalling larger bits of information because this helps to organize information for encoding. Example, acronym

expressive writing and saying words aloud

this may help boost short-term memory because it increase the word's distinctiveness.