Memory Models and Processes Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards generated from lecture notes covering key memory definitions, processes, experimental tasks, and influential memory models.

Memory

The means by which we retain and draw on past experiences to use that information in the present, involving dynamic mechanisms associated with storing, retaining, and retrieving information.

Encoding

The memory processes used to store information in memory.

Storage

The memory processes used to maintain information in memory.

Retrieval

The memory processes used to get information back out of memory.

Recall Task

A memory task in which a participant must actively generate an answer from memory.

Recognition Task

A memory task in which a participant does not need to generate the answer, but instead identifies whether a stimulus was previously seen.

Free Recall

A memory task requiring participants to recall all items from a previously presented list in any order.

Serial Recall

A memory task requiring participants to recall items in the exact order in which they were presented.

Cued Recall

A recall task in which participants are given clues or paired associates to help trigger retrieval.

Explicit Memory Tasks

Memory tasks involving conscious recollection, where participants are aware that they are attempting to retrieve stored information.

Implicit Memory Tasks

Memory tasks that do not require conscious recollection and indirectly measure memory performance through completion of tasks such as word fragment or word stem completion.

Procedural Memory

Non-declarative memory for knowing how to perform motor skills or actions, such as riding a bike, skiing, or touch typing.

Declarative Memory

Memory for facts (semantic memory) or personal events (autobiographical memory).

Sensory Memory

The initial stage of memory that holds incoming sensory input with large capacity but very limited duration, retaining only information that is processed before old information is pushed out.

Iconic Memory

Visual sensory memory.

Echoic Memory

Auditory sensory memory.

Whole Report Procedure

An experimental procedure used by Sperling (1960) in which a matrix of letters is flashed for $50\,\text{ms}$ and subjects attempt to report all remembered letters.

Partial Report Procedure

An experimental procedure used by Sperling (1960) in which a matrix of letters is flashed for $50\,\text{ms}$ and a tone signals subjects to report a specific row.

Short-Term Memory (STM)

A memory stage with a limited capacity of $7 \pm 2$ items that takes in input from sensory memory and long-term memory, persisting as long as it is rehearsed.

Chunking

The process of organizing individual items into larger, meaningful units to increase effective short-term memory capacity.

Long-Term Memory (LTM)

A memory stage fed by short-term memory with virtually unlimited capacity and duration, requiring effortful encoding to enter.

Levels of Processing Model

A model proposed by Craik & Lockhart (1972) asserting that memory strength depends on the depth of processing, where deep semantic processing creates stronger memory traces than shallow physical processing.

Shallow Processing

Processing that focuses on the physical or structural features of a stimulus, producing a fragile memory trace that decays rapidly.

Deep Processing

Processing that elaborates on the meaning of a stimulus (semantic processing), producing a strong and durable memory trace.

Self-Reference Effect

The enhancement of memory recall observed when individuals process information by relating it to themselves.

Transfer Appropriate Processing Effect

The finding by Morris, Bransford, and Franks (1977) that memory performance depends on how well encoding processes match the requirements of the retrieval test.

Working Memory

The system or systems responsible for temporary storage and manipulation of information required during complex cognitive tasks such as reasoning, learning, and comprehension.

Phonological Loop

The working memory component that temporarily maintains verbal information and carries out acoustic rehearsal.

Word Length Effect

The finding that memory span is larger for short words than for long words because people can remember as many words as they can speak in $2\,\text{seconds}$.

Articulatory Suppression

The technique of repeatedly uttering a word (such as 'the') while viewing items to prevent the formation of a phonological code.

Visuospatial Sketchpad

The working memory component responsible for visual imagery and spatial processing.

Central Executive

The primary control component of working memory that supervises attention, coordinates sub-components, plans task sequences, and inhibits irrelevant information.

Sperling's Partial-Report Decay Curve

A graphical representation showing that the number of letters recalled in partial-report procedure decreases as tone delay increases from $0\,\text{seconds}$ to $1.0\,\text{second}$.

Chess Positions Memory Experiment

An experiment demonstrating that chess masters recall actual game positions far better than beginners due to domain-specific chunking, but show no advantage over beginners for random positions.