Psych CH.7 Memory: Constructing and Reconstructing Our Pasts

What is memory?

The retention of information over time.

What is the paradox of memory?

Our memories are remarkably good in some situations and surprisingly poor in others.

What demonstrates the reconstructive nature of memory?

Recalling an event in third person suggests the brain has created that memory rather than experienced it directly.

Which cultures are more likely to see themselves at a distance in memories?

Individuals from Asian countries compared to European Americans.

Name the three types of memory.

Sensory Memory, Short-Term Memory, Long-Term Memory.

What is sensory memory?

Brief storage of perceptual information before it is processed into short-term memory.

What is iconic memory?

The type of sensory memory that applies to vision, lasting about a second.

What is echoic memory?

Auditory memories that can last as long as 5 to 10 seconds.

Define short-term memory.

A memory system that retains information for brief periods.

What is working memory?

The ability to hold onto information we are currently thinking about or processing actively.

What are decay and interference in the context of short-term memory?

Decay is the fading of information over time, while interference is the loss of information due to competition from new information.

What is the capacity of short-term memory?

The 'magic number' for short-term memory is 7 plus or minus 2 items.

What are the three levels of processing information?

Visual (shallow), phonological (sound-related), and semantic (meaning-related).

What is the difference between explicit and implicit memory?

Explicit memory involves intentional recall and conscious awareness, while implicit memory is unconsciously retained.

What is the misinformation effect?

Creation of fictitious memories by providing misleading information about an event after it occurs.

What is eyewitness misidentification?

The most common cause of wrongful convictions, where witnesses may be confident yet incorrect in identifying a perpetrator.

What does context-dependent learning refer to?

The superior retrieval of memories when the external context matches the conditions during encoding.

What type of amnesia involves the inability to recall past memories?

Retrograde amnesia.

What encompasses emotional memory?

Memories associated with emotional responses, particularly fear, often involving the amygdala.

Name a technique that enhances memory retention during studying.

Using mnemonic devices to connect new material with existing knowledge.