psych

memory

memory

The persistence of learning over time through the storage and retrieval of information.

encoding

The processing of information into the memory system.

storage

the process of retaining encoded information over time

retrieval

the process of getting information out of memory storage

parallel processing

The processing of several aspects of a problem simultaneously; the brain's natural mode of information processing for many functions, including vision. Contrasts with the step-by-step (serial) processing of most computers and of conscious problem solving.

Sensory Memory

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

short term memory

Activated memory that holds a few items briefly, such as the seven digits of a phone number while dialing, before the information is stored or forgotten.

long term memory

the relatively permanent and limitless storehouse of the memory system. includes knowledge, skills, and experiences

working memory

a new understanding of short-term memory that focuses on conscious, ACTIVE processing of incoming auditory and visual-spatial information, and of information retrieved from long term memory

explicit memory (declarative)

Memory of facts and experiences that one can consciously know and "declare"

effortful processing

encoding that requires attention and conscious effort

automatic processing

unconscious encoding of incidental information, such as space, time, and frequency, and of well-learned information, such as word meanings

implicit memory (non declarative)

retention independent of conscious recollection (aka non-declarative memory)

iconic memory

a momentary sensory memory of visual stimuli; a photographic or picture-image memory lasting no more than a few tenths of a second

echoic memory

The momentary sensory memory of auditory stimuli, lasting about 3-4 seconds

chunking

organizing items into familiar, manageable units; often occurs automatically

mnemonics

memory aids, especially those techniques that use vivid imagery and organizational devices

spacing effect

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

testing effect

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

shallow processing

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

deep processing

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

hippocampus

A neural center located in the limbic system that helps process EXPLICIT/DECLARATIVE memories for storage. moves memories from short term to long term

flashbulb memory

a clear memory of an emotionally significant moment or event

long term potentiation

Current theory on how memories are made. - there is an increase in a cell's firing potential after brief, rapid stimulation. Believed to be a neural basis for learning and memory.

recall

A measure of memory in which the person must completely RETRIEVE information learned earlier - example- a fill-in-the-blank test.

recognition

a measure of memory in which the person need only IDENTIFY items previously learned - example multiple-choice test

priming

The activation, often unconsciously, of certain associations, thus predisposing one's perception, memory, or response.

mood congruent memory

the tendency to recall experiences that are consistent with one's current good or bad mood.

serial position effect

our tendency to recall best the last (a recency effect) and first (a primary effect) items in a list

anterograde amnesia

an inability to form new memories after having trauma to the brain - HM and Jimmy

retrograde amnesia

An inability to retrieve information from one's past after having trauma to the brain.

proactive interference

(forward acting) the disruptive effect of prior learning on the RECALL of new information - Ex. You studied Spanish last year and French this year, you keep using Spanish words when writing your French assignment.

retroactive interference

(backward acting) the disruptive effect of new learning on the RECALL of old information Ex. You studied Spanish last year and French this year, when given a test with both Spanish and French words, you have trouble remembering the Spanish words .

repression

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

misinformation effect

incorporating misleading information into one's memory of an event,

the distortion of memory by suggestion or misinformation

source amnesia

forgetting where or how you learned something-attributing to the wrong source an event we have experienced, heard about, read about, or imagined-

deja vu

that eerie sense that "I've experienced this before." Cues from the current situation may subconsciously trigger retrieval of an earlier experience.

rehearsal

conscious repetition of information; encodes info for storage

semantic encoding

encoding of meaning, general knowledge, tends to be culturally influenced - considered the most effective - deep processing.

acoustic encoding

encoding of sounds - not as effective as semantic but better than visual - shallow processing.

visual encoding

encoding of picture images - lease effective way to encode - shallow processing.

imagery

a powerful aid to effortful processing, especially when combined with semantic encoding

hierarchy

form of chunking that involves dividing broad concepts into lesser concepts, categories and facts

amnesia

partial or total loss of memory

semantic memory

facts- general knowledge

episodic memory

personally experienced events

state congruent memory

what is learned in one state (drunk, joy, sadness, or sober) can more easily be remembered when in the same state

motivated forgetting

people unknowingly revise history- bad memories are no longer consciously available

false memory syndrome

a person's identity and relationships center around a false but strongly believed memory of traumatic experience

next in line effect

seldom remember what the person has just said or done if we are next

peg word system

pre memorized a list of words that are easy to associate with the numbers

method of loci

remember things by visualizing them in a familiar place

George Sperling

an experiment with sensory memory -

found used different tones to remember random letters

frontal lobe

working memory processing

cerebellum

forming and storing implicit memories

basal ganglia

formation of procedural memories for skills

amygdala

provoked by stress hormones and involved in strengthening memories through an emotional link

hermann ebbinghaus

pioneered the field of memory research - the retention and forgetting curve

aphasia

impairment of language, usually caused by left hemisphere damage either to Broca's area (impairing speaking) or to Wernicke's area (impairing understanding).

broca's area

controls language expression-area of the frontal lobe in left hemisphere that directs muscle movements invloved in speech

wernicke's area

Contorls language reception. Damage creates inability to comprehend language; usually in the left temporal lobe

Richard Atkinson and Richard Shiffrin

Proposed a model to explain our memory forming process - sensory memory-short term/working memory/-long term memory

George A. Miller

Short term memories magic number, 7 + or - 2

eric kandel

studied memory storage in neurons

elizabeth loftus

studied misinformation effect, eyewitness memory, and false memories

paul broca

research on broca's area

carl wernicke

research on wernicke's area

relearning

a measure of memory that assess the amount of time saved when learning material again. - the idea that you remember things more easily the 2nd time.

Encoding, Storage, Retrieval

3-Stage process of memory

Ebbinghaus retention curve

he found that the more times you practice/rehearse, the fewer repetitions needed to relearn it the next time.

Ebbinghaus forgetting curve

dealing with storage decay - loss of memory - states that for learned information, retention drops rapidly at first and then begins to level off.

Types of Memories

Sleep

Found to help consolidate memories -processes them for later retrieval. Remember more if you study the hour before going to sleep.

Infantile amnesia

inability to recall events from early childhood - possibly linked to an immature brain and lack of language development

Traumatic amnesia

loss of memory due a to surgery, physical condition or a severe blow to the head - accident.

Hysterical/Fugue amnesia

linked to severe psychological trauma - usually temporary.

Jill Price

suffers from hyperthymesia - the inability to forget anything. https://youtu.be/SoxsMMV538U

Ways to improve memory

Rehearse reputedly, make material meaningful, use retrieval cues and mnemonic devices, sleep more, minimize interference, implement spacing and testing effect.

Elaborative rehearsal

Rehearsal in which meaning is added to the material to be remembered - aides in recall.