AP Psychology-Memory

memory

the persistence of learning over time through encoding, storage, and retrieval of information

recall

a measure of memory in which a person must retrieve information learned earlier; no cues trigger this; you either know it or you don’t

recognition

a measure of memory in which a person identifies items previously learned; cues that allow us to remember

relearning

a measure of memory that assesses the amount of time saved when learning material again

forgetting curve

initial drop off is 60% and then steadily decreases

Hermann Ebbinghaus

calculated how long it took him to learn a list of nonsense syllables

level of processing model

the more we do with information, the more deeply processed it becomes

parallel distributed processing Model (PDP)

memory results from web-like connections; the more you come in contact with the information, the stronger the synapses connect

transfer-appropriate model

if you want to achieve something, you need to know how to achieve it; practice how you play

Information-processing theory (IPT)

encoding, storage, and retrieval of memory

encoding

translating sensory information into neural codes

storage

access of this information for later use; similar to schemas

retrieval

recovering memory from memory storage

sensory memory

the first stage holds information for short intervals

short term memory AKA working memory

after sensory memory, information is transported here where you either retain it or forget it

long term memory AKA permanent memory

if you retain the memory from working memory, it gets transferred here were you always remember it

working memory capacity

7 +- 2 units

duration of sensory memory

.5 to 2 seconds

duration of long term memory

unlimited

visuospatial sketchpad

holds and manipulates visual images and spacial information

phonological loop

responsible for holding and manipulating verbal information

central executive

controls visuospatial sketchpad and phonological loop

neurogenesis

the formation of new neurons

long term potential

an increase in a nerve cell’s firing potential after brief, rapid stimulation; a neural basis of learning and memory

effortful processing

encoding that requires attention and conscious effort

automatic processing

unconscious encoding of incidental information such as space, time, frequency and of familiar or well-learned information

explicit memory

retention of facts and experiences that we can consciously know and declare; actively trying to recall

implicit memory AKA procedural memory

retention of learned skills independently of conscious recollection; triggered in your head

iconic memory

a momentary sensory memory of visual stimuli; holding an image

echonic memory

a momentary sensory memory of auditory stimuli, lasts longer than iconic memory

George Miller

the man who came up with the 7+-2 units for short term memory capacity

Brown Peterson Principle

test that shows the limited duration of working memory(18-30 seconds)

chunking

organizing items into familiar, manageable units; often occurs automatically

mnemonics

memory aids that use vivid imagery and organizational devices

method of loci

mentally placing information you want to remember in a familiar physical location

spacing effect

the tendency for distributed study to yield better long term retention

testing effect AKA retrieval practice effect

enhanced memory after retrieving rather than rereading information

shallow processing

encoding on a basic level, based on the structure or appearance of words

deep processing

encoding semantically, based on the meaning of the words; yields the best retention

frontal lobe

higher level processing occurs in this part of the brain

hippocampus

part of the brain responsible for making new memories

explicit memory system involves these two parts of the brain

frontal lobe and hippocampus

implicit memory system involves these two parts of the brain

cerebellum and basal ganglia

flashbulb memory

a clear memory of an emotionally. significant moment or event

cerebellum

part of the brain in control of fine motor function

basal ganglia

part of the brain that is involved with the storage of movement functions

priming aka memoryless memory

the activation, often unconsciously, of associations in memory; helps us bring things from long term to short term

retrospective memory

remembering procedures and skills you have previously done

prospective memory

remembering things to do in the future

serial position curve

information at the beginning and a list is remembered better than material in the middle

primacy effect

recall of the first two or three items; falls under long term memory

recency effect

recall of the last few items; falls under short term memory

interleaving

retrieval strategy that involves mixing the study of different topics

anterograde anmesia

inability to form new memories

retrograde amnesia

inability to remember information from one’s past

encoding failure

when information is not encoding in the first place

storage decay

gradual fading of physical memory 

proactive interference

thinking about old information when recalling new information

retroactive interference

thinking about new information when recalling old information

psychoanalytic theory

basic defense mechanism that banishes from consciousness anxiety arounsing thoughts, feelings, and memories

repression

we forget things that are too painful or anxiety-producing to remember

reconsolidation

process by which previous stored memories, when retrieved, are potentially altered before storing them again

misinformation effect

occurs when a memory has been corrupted by misleading information; similar to framing effect

source amnesia

faulty memory for how, where, or when information was learned or imagined

deja vu

the sense of “I have experienced this before”

episodic memory

“I remember when…”

semantic memory

“I know…”