AP Psychology Unit 2 Part 3 Vocabulary

Information processing model

Framework for understanding memory stages.

Encoding

The process of getting information into the memory system

Storage

the process of retaining encoded information over time.

Retrieval

Accessing stored information when needed.

Automatic processing

Unconscious encoding of incidental information, such as space, time, and frequency and of familiar or well learned information, such as sounds, smells, and word meanings

Effortful processing

encoding that requires attention and conscious effort

Explicit memory

retention of facts and experiences that we can consciously know and declare.

Implicit memory

retention of learned skills or classically conditions association independent of conscious recollection

Episodic memory

explicit memory of personally experienced events; one of our two conscious memory systems (the other is semantic memory).

Semantic memory

explicit memory of facts and general knowledge; one of our two conscious memory systems (the other is episodic memory)

Levels of processing (deep)

encoding semantically, based on the meaning of the words, tends to yield the best retention

Levels of processing (shallow)

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

Structural encoding

Encoding based on physical structure of words.

Phonemic encoding

Encoding based on sound of words.

Semantic encoding

Encoding based on meaning of words.

Multi-store model

Theory of memory with distinct storage systems.

Sensory memory

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

Short term memory (STM)

briefly activated memory of a few items that is later stored or forgotten

Long term memory (LTM)

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

Working memory

A newer understanding of short-term memory; conscious, active processing of both (1) incoming sensory information (2) information retrieved from long term memory

Central executive

a memory component that coordinates the activities of the phonological loop and visuospatial sketchpad.

Phonological loop

a memory component that briefly holds auditory information

Visuospatial sketchpad

a memory component that briefly holds information about objects appearance and location in space

Episodic buffer

Integrates information across different memory systems.

Prospective memory

Remembering to perform actions in the future.

Mnemonic devices

Techniques to enhance memory retention.

Method of Loci

Memory technique using spatial locations.

Chunking

organizing items into familiar, manageable units; often occurs automatically

Spacing effect

the tendency for distributed study or practice to yield better long term retention that is achieved through massed study or practice

Serial position effect

our tendency to recall best the last items in a list initially (a recency effect) and the first items in a list after a delay (a primacy affect)

Maintenance rehearsal

Repetition to maintain information in STM.

Elaborative rehearsal

Linking new information to existing knowledge.

Autobiographical memory

Memory of personal life events.

Retrograde amnesia

the inability to remembers information from ones past

Anterograde amnesia

Inability to form new memories.

Alzheimer's disease

Progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting memory.

Infantile amnesia

Inability to recall memories from early childhood.

Retrieval cues

Stimuli that aid in memory retrieval.

Context-dependent memory

Better recall in same context as learning.

State-dependent memory

Better recall when in same state as learning.

Mood-congruent memory

the tendency to recall experiences that are consistent with ones current good or bad mood

Retrieval practice

Improving memory through testing and recall.

Testing effect

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

Recall

a measure of memory in witch the person must retrieve information earlier, as on a fill in the blank test.

Recognition

a measure of memory in witch the person identifies items prevoulsy learned, as on multiple choice tests.

Forgetting curve

Rate of forgetting information over time.

Encoding failure

Failure to process information into memory.

Proactive interference

the forward acting disruption effect of old learning on the recall of new information

Retroactive interference

the backward acting disruption effect of newer learning on the recall of old information

Tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon

Temporary inability to retrieve known information.

Repression

in psychoanalytic theory, the basic defense mechanism that banishes consciousness anxiety-arousing thoughts, feelings, and memories

Misinformation effect

occurs when a memory has been corrupted by misleading information

Source amnesia

faulty memory for how, when, or where information was learned or imagined

Constructive memory

Memory shaped by experiences and imagination.