Psychology: Memory

Memory

Collection of information and experiences stored in our brain for later retrieval.

Information processing approach

Suggests that our memory works similarly to having our own administrative assistant.

Richard Atkinson

Co-created a model for memory in 1968, focusing on structural and malleable parts.

Richard Shiffrin

Co-created a model for memory in 1968, emphasizing three types of memory:sensory, working, and long term.

Sensory memory

Brief retention of sensory stimulation; everything enters here first.

Short term memory

Slightly longer duration than sensory memory, with a much lower capacity; now known as working memory.

Long term memory

Allegedly has unlimited capacity; memories are transferred here through repetition and meaningfulness.

Masking

New visual information pushes out old visual information; visual memory lasts only half a second.

Serial processing

One stage of memory is processed at a time.

Parallel processing

Some memory processes can occur simultaneously.

Connectionist models of memory

Suggest interconnected networks in the brain made up of neurons.

Parallel distributed processing model

Memories are constructed through patterns of activation among neurons.

Working memory

Allows for manipulation of information for complex tasks and temporary storage.

Maintenance rehearsal

Repeating information to keep it in short term memory.

Decay

Information disappears over time; memories decay quickly.

Interference

New information interferes with the retention of old information in short term memory.

Chunking

Strategy of combining small units of information into larger, meaningful units.

Semantic coding

Processing information based on its meaning; retained longer than visual or auditory information.

Explicit memories

Memories of which we are consciously aware.

Implicit memories

Information retained without conscious awareness.

Tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon

Temporary inaccessibility of a memory despite conscious effort to retrieve it.

Retrieval

The process of getting information out of memory.

Free recall

Pulling information directly from long term memory without cues.

Cued recall

Using retrieval cues to access information; easier than free recall.

Serial position effect

Tendency to remember items at the beginning and end of a list.

Encoding specificity

Information is encoded with its context, improving recall when the contexts match.

Flashbulb memories

Vivid and accurate memories of emotionally significant events.

Reconstructive memory

The act of remembering involves reconstructing previous events.

Source monitoring

Determining the origins of our memories.

Misinformation effect

New information modifies existing memories.

Forgetting curve

We forget most things quickly, but the rate levels off after a few days.

Proactive interference

Previously learned information interferes with new information.

Retroactive interference

New information makes it difficult to remember older memories.

Retrograde amnesia

Loss of past memories, often due to injury.

Anterograde amnesia

Difficulty in forming new long-term memories.

Engram

Physical memory trace in the brain.

Long term potentiation (LTP)

Strengthening of neural connections as a result of repeated activation.

Neuroplasticity

The brain's ability to change as a result of experience.