psych unit 7 mods 31-33

memory

persistence of learning over time through encoding, storage, retrieval; measured through recall, recognition, relearning

recall

retrieving info not currently in conscious awareness

recognition

identifying items previously learned

relearning

learning something more quickly when learned another time

encoding

get info in brain

storage

retain encoded info

retrieval

get info out of memory storage

parallel processing

processing many aspects of a problem simultaneously

sensory memory

immediate, brief recording of sensory info in memory system

short term memory

memory that holds a few items briefly before info stored longer/forgotten;; capacity: 5-9 pieces of info

long term memory

relatively permanent and limitless storehouse of memory storage

working memory

active processing of info; in 2nd stage of short term memory

explicit memory

retention of facts/experiences in long term memory

effortful processing

encoding that requires attention and conscious effort

automatic processing

unconscious encoding of incidental info (space, time, frequency)

implicit memory

retention of learned skills or classically conditioned associations in long term memory

iconic memory

Sperling’s sensory memory experiment demonstrated sensory memory of visual stimuli (recall scene in amazing detail)

echoic memory

sensory memory for auditory stimuli

Effortful processing strategies

chunking, mnemonics, hierarchies

spacing effect

distributed practice yields better long term retention

testing effect

repeated self testing

shallow processing

encoding on basic level based on structure/appearance of words

deep processing

encoding semantically based on meaning of words

semantic memory

explicit memory of facts and knowledge

episodic memory

explicit memory of personally experienced events

hippocampus (temporal lobe)

subcortical limbic system structure where explicit memories for facts/episodes are processed

memory consolidation

hippocampus is like loading dock and memories are shifted elsewhere; neural storage of long term memory

flashbulb memory

clear, sustained long term memory of emotionally significant moment

long term potentiation

increase in cell’s firing potential after brief, rapid stimulation; neural basis for learning/memory

priming

activation of particular associations in long term implicit memory

encoding specificity principle

cues and contexts help recall

mood congruent memory

recall experiences consistent with good/bad emotional state

serial position effect

tendency to recall best the last (recency effect) and first (primacy effect) in a list

anterograde amnesia

inability to form new memories due to injury/illness

retrograde amnnesia

inability to retrieve info from past due to injury/illness

proactive interference

forward-acting disruptive effect of older learning on recall of new info

retroactive interference

backwards acting disruptive effect of newer learning on recall of old info

repression

basic defense mechanism that banishes from consciousness anxiety arousing thoughts/feelings/memories

reconsolidation

stored memories, when retrieved, are altered before being stored again

misinformation effect

misleading info distorts memory of event

source amnesia

faulty memory for how/when/where info was learned or imagined