Cognitive Flash Set: Memory Models and Processes

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering memory stages, models, retrieval, encoding, consolidation, and executive functions from cognitive psychology.

Sensory memory

Brief memory stage that holds incoming information for seconds or a fraction of a second; the first stage of the Modal Model (e.g., sparkler trail, seeing motion in a movie).

Short-Term Memory (STM)

A limited-capacity memory store that holds information for about $15$-$30\,\text{sec}$ unless it is rehearsed (e.g., remembering a phone number).

Long-Term Memory (LTM)

Memory store with a very large capacity that can hold information for years or a lifetime.

Modal Model of Memory (Atkinson & Shiffrin)

Model proposing that memory flows through $3$ stages: sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory.

Control processes

Active processes that can be controlled by a person and differ between tasks (e.g., rehearsal).

Working Memory Model (Baddeley & Hitch)

A limited-capacity system that temporarily stores and manipulates information needed for reasoning, learning, and comprehension.

Central executive

The "boss" of working memory that directs attention and coordinates the other components.

Phonological loop

Stores and processes verbal and auditory information; consists of two parts: the phonological store and the articulatory rehearsal process.

Visualspatial sketchpad

Stores and manipulates visual and spatial information (e.g., solving a puzzle, imagining a route on a map).

Episodic buffer

Temporary storage system that integrates information from working memory and long-term memory.

Articulatory suppression

Interfering with verbal rehearsal by repeatedly saying an irrelevant word or sound (e.g., saying "the, the, the" while trying to memorize a list).

Mental rotation task

Mentally rotating an object to determine whether it matches another object (e.g., deciding whether $2$ rotated shapes are the same).

Digit Span Task (Miller)

Measure of STM capacity based on the maximum number of digits a person can remember; about $5$-$9$ items ($7 \pm 2$).

Recall

Retrieving previously learned information after a delay.

Free recall

Remembering previously presented items without any hints or cues.

Cued recall

Remembering information with the help of retrieval cues (e.g., "fruit" helps you remember "apple").

Recognition

Identifying previously encountered information when it is presented again (e.g., multiple-choice exam).

Iconic memory

Visual sensory memory (e.g., persistence of vision, movie frames appearing continuous).

Echoic memory

Auditory sensory memory (e.g., asking "what?" then immediately realizing what was said).

Coding

The form in which information is represented in the mind; types include visual, phonological, and semantic.

Encoding

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

Retrieval cues

Stimuli that help access information stored in memory; usually accompanied by cued recall.

Explicit memory

Memory involving conscious recollection of facts and experiences; also called declarative memory.

Implicit memory

Memory that influences behavior without conscious awareness; also called nondeclarative memory.

Priming

Improved processing of a stimulus due to previous exposure to the same or similar stimulus.

Repetition priming

When prior exposure to a stimulus affects later responses to the same stimulus.

Propaganda effect

Repeated exposure makes statements seem more believable.

Remember/know procedure

A procedure where "remember" indicates recalling specific details of the original experience, and "know" indicates recognizing it without remembering the experience itself.

Serial position curve

A graph showing better memory for items at the beginning and end of a list than in the middle.

Primacy effect

Better memory for items at the beginning of a list because they receive more rehearsal and enter LTM.

Recency effect

Better memory for items at the end of a list because they remain in STM.

Levels of processing theory

Theory stating that memory depends on how deeply information is processed; deeper processing leads to better memory.

Depth of Processing

Deeper, more meaningful processing leads to stronger memories.

Shallow processing

Processing information based on physical appearance or sound rather than meaning (e.g., noticing a word is written in CAPITAL letters).

Maintenance rehearsal

Repeating information without thinking about its meaning (e.g., repeating a phone number over and over).

Consolidation

Process that transforms fragile new memories into more durable, stable memories.

Synaptic consolidation

Rapid strengthening of synapses occurring over minutes after learning.

Systems consolidation

Long-term reorganization of brain circuits occurring over weeks, months, or years.

Long-term potentiation (LTP)

Increased neural firing caused by repeated stimulation, strengthening synaptic connections (mnemonic: "cells that fire together wire together").

Reactivation

Process in which previously encoded memories are replayed, strengthening memory traces.

Reconsolidation

Retrieved memories become active again and must be consolidated once more.

Semnticization

The process by which episodic memories gradually lose contextual details and become semantic knowledge.

Hippocampus

Brain structure crucial for forming long-term memories, especially episodic memories.

H.M.

Famous patient whose hippocampus was removed; results showed STM intact, but could not form new LTMs.

K.F.

Patient with parietal lobe damage; results showed STM impaired and LTM largely intact.

Updating

Revising working memory by adding new information and removing old information.

Shifting

Switching attention between tasks, rules, or mental sets.

Inhibition

Suppressing distractions, impulses, or irrelevant thoughts.

Common executive functions

Core executive functions consisting of updating, shifting, and inhibition that help control attention, thinking, and behavior.

Rehearsal

Repeating information to keep it active in STM (e.g., repeating a phone number before dialing it).