Memory Notes

Mood Congruent Memory

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

State-Dependent Memory

Improved recall of information when in the same physiological or psychological state as when it was encoded.

Context-Dependent Memory

Enhanced recall of information when in the same external environment as when learned.

Self-Reference Effect

The tendency to remember information better when related to oneself.

Hierarchies (Memory)

Organizing information into broad categories that are further subdivided into narrower concepts.

Parallel Processing

The ability of the brain to process many aspects of a problem or stimulus simultaneously.

Serial Processing

Processing one piece of information at a time in a sequence.

Déjà Vu

The eerie feeling of having experienced a new situation before; relates to source amnesia.

Long-Term Potentiation (LTP)

A long-lasting increase in the strength of synaptic connections. It's the biological basis for learning.

Flashbulb Memory

A clear, vivid, and emotionally significant memory of an important event.

Retrieval

The process of getting information out of memory.

Motivated Forgetting

The process of deliberately or unintentionally forgetting unwanted memories.

Cerebellum

Involved in implicit memory.

Spacing Effect

Better retention of information when study sessions are spaced out over time.

Automatic Processing

Fast, unintentional, and effortless processing of information.

Effortful Processing

Encoding information into memory that requires conscious effort and attention.

Semantic Encoding

Converting new information into a meaningful form for storage and retrieval.

Iconic Memory

A very brief type of sensory memory that holds visual information for a short time.

Echoic Memory

Temporary storage for auditory information.

Encoding

The process of getting information into memory.

Mnemonic Device

A memory aid used to enhance recall.

Visual Imagery

Mental imagery that creates subjective, picture-like experiences.

Retroactive Interference

Newly learned information impairs recall of previously learned information.

Proactive Interference

Old memories disrupt the recall of new information.

Source Amnesia

Cognitive phenomenon where a person cannot recall the source of information.

Misinformation Effect

Misleading information introduced after an event can distort memory of that event.

Retrograde Amnesia

Inability to recall events before an amnesia condition.

Working Memory

Brain's temporary workspace for holding and manipulating information.

Primacy Effect

Tendency to remember information presented at the beginning of a list better.

Chunking

Grouping separate pieces of information into larger, meaningful units for easier recall.

Episodic Memory

Memory for the events of one's life.

Priming

Exposure to a stimulus influences subsequent responses or behaviors.

Anterograde Amnesia

Inability to form new memories after the onset of the disorder.

Maintenance Rehearsal

Process of repeatedly thinking about information to keep it active in memory.

Shallow Processing

Processing superficial characteristics of information.

Deep Processing

Active engagement with information leading to better retention and understanding.