Memory Concepts and Processes in Psychology

Flashcards covering key concepts and terms related to memory in psychology.

Memory

The mental faculty of encoding, storing, and retrieving information.

Encoding

The process of transforming information into a form that can be stored in memory.

Storage

The maintenance of information over time in memory.

Retrieval

The process of accessing and bringing into consciousness information stored in memory.

Explicit Memory

Type of memory that requires conscious thought, such as remembering facts and events.

Implicit Memory

Type of memory that does not require conscious thought, such as skills and conditioned responses.

Semantic Memory

A type of explicit memory that involves the storage of facts and general knowledge.

Episodic Memory

A type of explicit memory that involves the recollection of personal experiences and specific events.

Sensory Memory

The brief retention of sensory information, lasting only a fraction of a second.

Short-term Memory

A limited capacity memory system that holds information for a short duration.

Long-term Memory

A memory system that allows for the storage of an unlimited amount of information over extended periods.

Levels of Processing Theory

A theory suggesting that deeper levels of processing lead to better memory retention.

Heuristic

A mental shortcut or rule of thumb that simplifies decision-making and problem-solving.

Decay Theory

The theory that memory fades over time if not retrieved or used.

Amnesia

A condition characterized by memory loss, which can be either anterograde or retrograde.

Serial Position Effect

The tendency to better recall the first and last items in a list.

Chunking

A technique for improving memory by grouping information into larger, manageable units.