Lesson 1: Introduction to Memory

sensory memory

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

working memory

newer understanding of short-term memory; conscious, active processing of both incoming sensory information and information retrieved from long-term memory

storage

process of retaining encoded information over time

recall

measure of memory in which a person retrieves information that is not currently in their conscious awareness but was learned at an earlier time

recognition

measure of memory in which a person identifies items previously learned

phonological loop

memory component that briefly holds auditory information

encoding

process of getting information into the memory system

parallel processing

processing multiple aspects of a stimulus or problem simultaneously

central executive

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

retrieval

process of getting information out of memory storage

visuospatial sketchpad

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

relearning

measure of memory that shows the amount of time saved when learning material again

memory

persistence of learning over time

a fill-in-the-blank question tests…

recall

a multiple-choice question tests…

recognition

short-term memory

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

long-term memory

relatively permanent and limitless archive of the memory system

neurogenesis

formation of new neurons

long-term potentation (LTP)

increase in a nerve cell’s firing potential after brief, rapid stimulation

LTP is a neural basis for…

learning and memory

the neurotransmitter that improves memory is…

serotonin

the retention measures are…

recall, recognition, and relearning

information-processing theory

memory theory that likens the mind to an efficient computer with a simplistic process of encoding, storage, and retrieval

connectionism

sub-theory of information-processing theory that a person encodes many different types of information at the same time via interconnected neural pathways in the brain

Atkinson and Shiffrin’s three-stage model

memory model that proposes three types of memory: sensory, short-term (working), and long-term

the term “working memory” was coined by…

Alan Baddeley

components of working memory include…

central executive, phonological loop, and visuospatial sketchpad

Hermann Ebbinghaus’s discoveries include…

memories fade fairly quickly without rehearsal, overlearning lessens relearning time, and after overlearning recall and recognition should be easy