Unit 7 - Memory and forgetting

A type of sensory memory that involves the storage of visual information for a split-second

Iconic memory

a type of sensory memory that stores auditory, not visual information.

Echoic memory

Involves recalling images in extremely accurate detail for longer than a split-second. Sometimes called photographic memory, experts do not agree on the existence of this type of memory.

Eidetic memory

An extremely vivid and detailed long-term memory associated with high emotion and stress during encoding.

Flashbulb memory

The type of long-term memory that involves the automatic encoding of the events of one’s life.

Episodic memory

The phenomenon in which we remember the first thing on a list.

Primacy effect

The phenomenon in which we remember the last thing on a list.

Recency effect

Often caused by a blow to the head, after which victim cannot remember what happened for a few minutes before or after the trauma. The symptoms can last much longer and can include other parts of episodic memory. (Example: drinking a lot and blacking out)

Retrograde amnesia

The concept of being unable to remember old information due to newly obtained information.

Retroactive interference (*retro means to go backwards*)

The rare condition where one cannot encode new memories (may be caused by hippocampus damage)

Anterograde amnesia

Refers to previously encoded or learned information interfering with newly learned information.

Proactive interference

The concept in cognitive psychology / memory where one concept, idea or memory “over-writes” other memories.

Displacement