PSYC 1010 Chapter 6 and 11 (Exam 3)

memory

the ability to store and retrieve information over time

encoding

the process of transforming what we perceive, think, or feel into an enduring memory

storage

process of maintaining information in memory over time

retrieval

process of bringing to mind information that has been previously encoded and stored

semantic encoding

the process of relating new information in a meaningful way to knowledge that is already stored in memory

visual imagery encoding

the process of storing new information by converting it into mental pictures

organizational encoding

the process of categorizing information according to the relationships among a series of items

mnemonics

encoding strategies that improve subsequent retrieval

storage

the process of maintaining information in memory over time

sensory memory

type of storage that holds sensory information for a few seconds or less

iconic memory

fast decaying store of visual information

echoic memory

a fast decaying store of auditory information

short term memory

a type of storage that holds nonsensory information for more than a few seconds, but less than a minute (you will lose it after your attention focuses on something else)

rehearsal

the process of keeping information in short term memory by repeating it mentally

serial position effect

observation that the first few items and the last few items in a series are more likely to be recalled then the items in the middle

primary effect

enhanced recall of the first few items in a series

recency effect

rehearsing items that are stil in short term storage

chunking

combining small pieces of info into larger clusters or chunks that are more easily held in short term memory

working memory

active matinence of info in short term memory

visuo-spatial sketchpad

one working memory subsystem that stores and manipulates visual images

phonological loop

verbal information stored and manipulated in working memory

episodic buffer

integrates visual and verbal information from subsystems in working memory

central executive

coordinates subsystems and episodic buffer of working memory

long term memory

type of storage that holds informations for hours, days, weeks, or years. has no known capacity

anterograde amnesia

inability to transfer new information from the short term store into the long term store (momento)

retrograde amnesia

inability to retrieve information that was acquired before a particular date, usually the date of an injury or surgery

consolidation

process by which memories become stable in the brain

reconsolidation

memories can become vulnerable to disruption when they are recalled thus requiring them to be consolidated again

long term potentiation (LTP)

a process where repeated communication across the synapse between neurons strengthens the connection, making further communication easier.

engram

the enduring physical change in the brain that is produced by a particular experience

retrieval cue

external information that is associated with stored information and helps bring it to mind

encoding specificity principle

retrieval cue can serve as an effective reminder when it helps recreate the specific way in which information was initially encoded

state dependent retrieval

process where the information tends to be recalled better when the person is in the same state during encoding and retrieval

transfer appropriate processing

the idea that memory is likely to transfer from one situation to another when the encoding and retrieval contexts of the situations match (asking about a rhyme)

retrieval induced forgetting

process by which retrieving an item from long term memory impairs subsequent recall of related items

explicit memory

occurs when people consciously or intentionally retrieve past experiences

implicit memory

occurs when past experiences influence later behavior and performance, even without an effort to remember them or an awareness of the recollection

procedural memory

the gradual acquisition of skills as a result of practice or “knowing how” to do things (riding your bike, tying shoes)

priming

enhanced ability to think of a stimulus such as a word or object, as a result of a recent exposure to the stimulus during an earlier study task

semantic memory

network of associated facts and concepts that make up our general knowledge of the world

episodic memory

the collection of past personal experiences that occured at a particular time and place (mental time travel)

divergent creative thinking

generating creative ideas by combining different types of information in new way

collaborative inhibition

the same number of individuals working together recall fewer items then they would on their own

transience

forgetting what occurs with the passage of time

retroactive interference

situations in which later learning impairs memory for information aquired earlier

proactive interference

early learning impairs memory for information acquired later

childhood/infantile amnesia

most of us have few or no memories from the first few years of life

absentmindedness

a lapse in attention that results in memory failure

prospective memory

remembering to do things in the future

blocking

a failure to retrieve information that is available in memory even though you are trying to produce it, retrieval failure (common for names of people and places)

memory misattribution

assigning a recollection or an idea to the wrong source

suggestibility

the tendency to incorporate misleading information from external sources into personal recollections

bias

the distorting influences of present knowledge, beliefs, and feelings on recollection of previous experiences

persistence

the intrusive recollection of events that we wish we could forget

flashbulb memories

detailed recollections of when and where we heard about shocking events

source memory

knowing where our memories come from, recall of when, where, and how information was acquired

self report

method in which people provide subjective information about their own thoughts, feelings, or behaviors (questionaire or interview)

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMP1)

a well researched clinical questionnaire used to assess personality and psychological problems

projective tests

designed to reveal inner aspects of individuals’ personalities by analysis of their responses to a standard series of ambiguous stimuli

Rorschach Inkblot Test

projective technique in which respondents inner thoughts and feelings are believed to be revealed by analysis of their responses to a set of unstructured inkblots

Thematic Apperception Test

projective technique in which respondents’ underlying motives, concerns, and way they see the social world are believed to be revealed through analysis of the stories they make up about ambiguous pictures of people

trait

relatively stable disposition to behave in a particular and consistent way

Big Five

the traits of the give factor personality model: opennes to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism