chapter 7: long term memory processes

What is encoding in the context of long-term memory?

The process of acquiring information and transferring it into long-term memory (LTM).

What is maintenance rehearsal?

A shallow encoding technique involving repetition of information to be remembered, resulting in poor memory.

What is elaborative rehearsal?

A deep encoding technique that involves making meaningful connections with the information to be remembered, leading to better memory.

What does the Levels of Processing Theory propose?

Memory depends on the depth of processing an item receives, with shallow processing leading to poorer recall compared to deeper processing.

What type of processing is associated with physical features?

Shallow processing.

What type of processing is associated with rhyming?

Deeper processing.

What is the deepest level of processing according to Craik & Tulving?

Fill in the blank tasks, which result in the best memory.

What is the self-reference effect?

Memory is better when individuals relate a word to themselves, enhancing recall.

What is the generation effect?

Generating material yourself enhances learning and retention compared to passively receiving it.

What is a retrieval cue?

A stimulus that helps a person remember information stored in memory.

What is synaptic consolidation?

The process involving structural changes at synapses that occurs within minutes or hours.

What is systems consolidation?

The gradual reorganization of neural circuits within the brain that takes place over months or years.

What is long-term potentiation (LTP)?

Enhanced firing of neurons after repeated stimulation, contributing to memory formation.

What is the standard model of consolidation?

Incoming information activates many areas in the cortex, coordinated by the hippocampus.

What is retrograde amnesia?

Memory loss for events that occurred before a head injury.

What is anterograde amnesia?

Memory loss for events that occurred after a head injury.

How does sleep enhance memory consolidation?

Sleep eliminates interference and may enhance the reactivation of memories.

What is reconsolidation?

The process where a retrieved memory becomes fragile and needs to be consolidated again.

What is encoding specificity?

The principle that retrieval is improved when the conditions at retrieval match those at encoding.

What is state-dependent learning?

Memory is better when one's internal state during retrieval matches their state during encoding.

What is transfer-appropriate processing?

Retrieval is better if the same cognitive tasks are involved during both encoding and retrieval.

What effect does the context of learning have on memory retrieval?

Returning to a particular location or context can serve as a retrieval cue, stimulating associated memories.

What did Gais et al. (2006) find about memory testing after sleep?

Memory for tasks was stronger if participants expected to be tested after sleep, illustrating preferential consolidation.

What role does the hippocampus play in memory retrieval?

The hippocampus coordinates the activity of different cortical areas and is involved in episodic memory retrieval.

What is graded amnesia?

A type of amnesia that is more severe for events that happened just before an injury and less severe for earlier events.

What did Mantyla (1986) study regarding retrieval cues?

He presented subjects with nouns to investigate how retrieval cues affect memory recall.